Updating the system firmware by using the IPMI tool

Learn how to update the system firmware by using the Intelligent Platform Management Interface (IPMI) tool.

1. Power off the system.
   • For in-band networks, use the following command:

     ipmitool chassis power off

   • To run the command remotely over the LAN, use the following command:

     ipmitool -I lanplus -U <username> -P <password> -H <bmc ip or bmc hostname> chassis power off

2. Use the BMC reset command to establish a stable starting point.
   • For in-band networks, use the following command:

     ipmitool mc reset cold

   • To run the command remotely over the LAN, use the following command:

     ipmitool -I lanplus -U <username> -P <password> -H <bmc ip or bmc hostname> mc reset cold

3. From a companion system, use the following command to flash the BMC and firmware, and to protect the BMC memory content from losing the network settings.
   • For in-band networks, use the following command:

     ipmitool raw 0x32 0xba 0x18 0x00

   • To run the command remotely over the LAN, use the following command:

     ipmitool -I lanplus -U <username> -P <password> -H <bmc ip or bmc hostname> raw 0x32 0xba 0x18 0x00

4. Is your system an 8335-GTB?

   If	Then
   Yes:	Continue with the next step.
   No:	Go to step 6.

5. Update the firmware. Then, go to step 7.
   • For in-band networks, use the following command:

     ipmitool hpm upgrade <xxxxx.hpm> -z 15000 force

   • To run the command remotely over the LAN, use the following command:

     ipmitool -I lanplus -U <username> -P <password> -H <bmc ip or bmc hostname> hpm upgrade <xxxxx.hpm> -z 15000 force

6. Update the firmware.
   • For in-band networks, use the following command:

     ipmitool hpm upgrade <xxxxx.hpm> -z 30000 force

   • To run the command remotely over the LAN, use the following command:

     ipmitool -I lanplus -U <username> -P <password> -H <bmc ip or bmc hostname> hpm upgrade <xxxxx.hpm> -z 30000 force

   Attention: If you experience a seg fault error during the firmware update, reenter the command with the block size changed to 25000, as follows:
   • For in-band networks, use the following command:

     ipmitool hpm upgrade <xxxxx.hpm> -z 25000 force

   • To run the command remotely over the LAN, use the following command:

     ipmitool -I lanplus -U <username> -P <password> -H <bmc ip or bmc hostname> hpm upgrade <xxxxx.hpm> -z 25000 force

7. If the BMC network settings are lost, complete this step to restore the network settings, otherwise go to step 8.
   Note: If the operating system is available, reboot the Linux operating system, enable Secure Shell (SSH) and telnet, and enter the IPMI commands that are listed in 7.e.
   1. Attach a video graphics array (VGA) monitor and a USB keyboard to the console connections.
   2. Power on or reboot your system.
   3. After the processor NOR (PNOR) firmware process is complete, the Petitboot menu is displayed on the system console output or on the VGA screen.
   4. From the Petitboot menu, select Exit to shell.
   5. To set a default static IP address, use the following IPMI commands:
      • /usr/local/bin/ipmitool -U <username> -P <password> lan set 1 ipsrc static
      • /usr/local/bin/ipmitool -U <username> -P <password> lan set 1 ipaddr x.x.x.x
      • /usr/local/bin/ipmitool -U <username> -P <password> lan set 1 netmask 255.255.x.x
      • /usr/local/bin/ipmitool -U <username> -P <password> lan set 1 defgw ipaddr x.x.x.x
   6. To view the current settings, enter the following command:
      • ipmitool lan print 1
   7. Go to step 8.
8. Power on the system and complete an initial program load (IPL).
   • For in-band networks, use the following command:

     ipmitool chassis power on

   • To run the command remotely over the LAN, use the following command:

     ipmitool -I lanplus -U <username> -P <password> -H <bmc ip or bmc hostname> chassis power on