Dell POWEREDGE 1855 User Manual

Page 4

SYSTEMS MANAGEMENT

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DELL POWER SOLUTIONS

initiates a firmware update task, using either the GUI or the

racadm

fwupdate

command from the CLI:

The primary DRAC/MC module starts the TFTP firmware update.

The standby DRAC/MC module monitors the chassis while the

primary DRAC/MC module is updated. At this time, neither

DRAC/MC is accessible, either through Telnet or the GUI.

When the primary DRAC/MC module completes the TFTP

update, the TFTP update on the standby DRAC/MC module

begins. The primary DRAC/MC module continues to moni-

tor the chassis while the standby module is updating the

firmware. At this time, neither DRAC/MC is accessible, either

through Telnet or the GUI.

When the standby DRAC/MC module completes the firmware

update process, the primary DRAC/MC module is available for

network access. Telnet and the GUI become available.

KVM module firmware updates

The KVM module enables administrators to access server blades in

the PowerEdge 1855 blade server by providing keyboard, monitor,

and mouse functions as if the administrator were directly connected

to the module. The PowerEdge 1855 blade server provides a built-

in analog KVM module and an optional digital KVM module. Both

KVM modules are flash-upgradeable.

Analog or digital KVM module firmware can also be updated

using the DRAC/MC GUI or CLI. For both firmware update methods,

administrators must complete the following setup procedures before

starting the firmware update process:

Set up a TFTP server, and copy the firmware image to the

root of the TFTP server.

Record the IP address of the TFTP server and the file name

of the new firmware image.

To update the firmware using the GUI, administrators should

navigate to the Update tab and select “KVM Firmware Update.”

They should then enter the TFTP server IP address of the firmware

image file name, and start the KVM firmware update process by

clicking “Update Firmware.” The TFTP download and firmware

update process may take up to six minutes. After the update com-

pletes, the KVM will reset.

To update the firmware using the CLI, administrators should enter

the following Racadm command at the DRAC/MC console prompt:

DRAC/MC: racadm fwupdate -a TFTP_IP_ADDRESS

-d kvm_firmware_name -mkvm

I/O module firmware updates

The PowerEdge 1855 blade server chassis provides extensible I/O

functionality such as networking, Fibre Channel, or InfiniBand

connectivity. The McDATA 4314 Fibre Channel switch and

Brocade Silkworm 3014 Fibre Channel switch provide Fibre

Channel connectivity. The Dell PowerConnect

™

5316M Ethernet

switch, a managed Layer 2 network switch, provides network

functionality.

To update the firmware of the preceding I/O modules, admin-

istrators need to procure the IP addresses of the switches. As part

of the installation of the McDATA, Brocade, and PowerConnect

switches, administrators must configure the IP address using the

corresponding switch configuration application. However, admin-

istrators can obtain the IP address of the Brocade switch using the

DRAC/MC CLI as follows:

DRAC/MC: connect switch-N

command.

word “password.”

Enter the

ipaddrshow

command to obtain the IP address.

Unlike the TFTP-based DRAC/MC firmware update process, the

McDATA and Brocade Fibre Channel switch module firmware update

process is FTP based. Administrators must complete the following

setup procedures before starting the firmware update process:

Set up an FTP server on the management station, and unzip

the firmware in a local directory.

Record the IP address of the switch and the FTP server.

Ensure that the switch is in normal operation mode by

inspecting the status LEDs.

McDATA 4314 Fibre Channel switch firmware. To provide

consistent performance throughout the fabric, administrators

should ensure that all switch modules are running the same

version of firmware. Installing updated firmware requires a

switch reset. A stable fabric is required to successfully activate

the firmware on a switch without disrupting traffic. Therefore,

administrators must ensure that no administrative changes are

in progress anywhere in the fabric before installing the Fibre

Channel switch firmware.

McDATA provides management station software called

Enterprise Fabric Connectivity Manager (EFCM), which provides

a GUI to update the switch firmware. Detailed instructions on

how to use EFCM can be found in the McDATA 4314 switch

documentation.

For more information about EFCM, refer to the EFCM Management Guide on the CD that ships with the McDATA 4314 Fibre Channel switch.