Release Notes
Abstract
Update the firmware for your IBM® Security QRadar® appliances to take advantage of additional features and updates for the internal hardware components of the QRadar appliance.
Content
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This page outlines important information about the M3 appliance firmware upgrade for administrators who need to update QRadar M3 (2U form factor) appliances. These firmware updates are the only supported method of updating firmware for QRadar appliances. Administrators must use the one of the installation option listed below to install firmware updates for their M3 (2U form factor) appliances.
To update the firmware on an M3 appliance, administrators can use a Windows host with the Bootable Media Creator (BoMC) software tool to create a USB drive that is suitable for applying firmware updates. Administrators must be on-site (on premise) with the appliance to complete this firmware update using a USB flash drive.
Supported appliances, types, and model information
This firmware update applies to the following IBM Security QRadar M3 (2U form factor) appliances, server type, or Machine type models:
Hardware | Details |
Appliance | IBM Security QRadar xx05 G1 IBM Security QRadar xx24 G1 |
Server Type | x3630 M3 |
Server Machine Type | 7377 |
Appliance Machine type models (MTM) | 4379-Q05 4379-Q24 |
Base software files
The table shows the Base System Pack and any additional packages that make up the recommended firmware update:
Package | Name |
Base System Pack | ibm_utl_uxsp_gysp03p-7.00_rhel6_32-64 |
Important file changes in this firmware update
The table below lists important updates in the Base System Pack and HDD update. Administrators must ensure that their M3 appliance includes the minimum version outlined in the Pre-requisite version column. If your M3 appliance does not meet the pre-requisite versions outlined in the table below, the administrator will need to contact IBM QRadar Support to have a custom upgrade path defined for the M3 appliance.
Component | Pre-requisite version | Firmware version in this update | File name |
IMM2 | yuooc7f-1.31 or later | yuooh1c-1.50 | ibm_fw_imm_yuooh1c-1.50_linux_32-64 |
UEFI/BIOS | None | hse125a-1.14 | ibm_fw_uefi_hse125a-1.14_linux_32-64 |
DSA | None | dsytc5c-9.42 | ibm_fw_dsa_dsytc5c-9.42_linux_32-64 |
RAID Controller M5015 | m5000-12.13.0-0179 | m5000-12.15.0-0226 | ibm_fw_sraidmr_m5000-12.15.0-0226_linux_32-64 |
HDD Update | None | sas-1.17.02 | ibm_fw_hdd_sas-1.17.02_linux_32-64 |
Notes:
- Administrators MUST enable IMM.Over.LAN on the xSeries appliance BEFORE the firmware update is applied. For information on how to enable this setting, see: http://www.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=swg21982944.
- A number of hard disk drives can be installed in this appliance. The HDD update tool examines the hard disk drives that are present and selects the most current firmware level that is available.
- The base system pack contains other firmware packages that are not in QRadar appliances. Therefore, these packages appear when the tool runs, but have a status of "undetected" and not selected to be updated.
Summary
This firmware update installs IMM firmware version 1.5. Administrators should be aware that IMM v1.5 requires Java version 8 to function properly. If administrators are not on Java version 8 or are unable to install Java version 8, then they might need to postpone this M3 appliance firmware update.
Full Release Notes from Lenovo for firmware 1.0 updates
Change files (.txt) can be opened by any text editor. These files contain the full release notes provided by Lenovo to IBM for both CVEs and resolved issues that administrators might want to review.
Component | File name | CVEs resolved in this package |
IMM2 | ibm_fw_imm_yuooh1c-1.50_linux_32-64 | CVE-2015-3200 |
UEFI/BIOS | ibm_fw_uefi_hse125a-1.14_linux_32-64 | None |
DSA | ibm_fw_dsa_dsytc5c-9.42_linux_32-64 | None |
RAID Controller M5015 | ibm_fw_sraidmr_m5000-12.15.0-0226_linux_32-64 | None |
HDD Update | ibm_fw_hdd_sas-1.17.02_linux_32-64 | None |
NOTE: The \BootableMediaCreatorv9\workingdir\ directory has a historical list of all files that are packaged with the firmware update.
Installing firmware with the IBM Bootable Media Creator (BoMC)
This installation method uses the IBM Bootable media creator (BOMC) tool on a Windows host to create a bootable USB drive that is capable of installing the M3 firmware update for QRadar 2U appliances. The firmware update can take up to 60 minutes for each host. Use a USB drive of 4GB or larger to ensure enough free space to successfully create the bootable media.
You can use the IBM Bootable Media Creator to update the firmware on the following QRadar appliances:
Hardware | Details |
Appliance | IBM Security QRadar xx05 G1 IBM Security QRadar xx24 G1 |
Server Type | x3630 M3 |
Server Machine Type | 7377 |
Appliance Machine type models (MTM) | 4379-Q05 4379-Q24 |
Before you begin
Creating your USB flash drive for the firmware update requires a Windows host and the administrator or USB drive must be on-site with the appliance. The firmware update can take up to 60 minutes complete per appliance and the administrator will be required to reboot the appliance after the firmware install completes. The firmware upgrade procedures should only be done during a change window or during maintenance time for your QRadar appliances.
**IMPORTANT**: Administrators MUST enable IMM.Over.LAN on the xSeries appliance BEFORE the firmware update is applied. For information on how to enable this setting, see: http://www.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=swg21982944.
Required files
Download the QRadar M3 appliance firmware update (2U form factor appliances) from IBM Fix Central:
http://www.ibm.com/support/fixcentral/swg/quickorder?product=ibm/Other+software/IBM+Security+QRadar+SIEM&release=7.2.0&platform=Linux&function=fixId&fixids=7.2.0-QRADAR-FIRMWARE-2U-M3-xx05-xx24-1.0&includeRequisites=0&includeSupersedes=0&downloadMethod=http&source=fc
Preparing
- Copy the M3 appliance firmware EXE to a directory on the Windows host.
- Double-click on the Qradar_2U_M3_MT7377_xx05_xx24_Firmware_Update_1_0.exe file.
- Select or type a directory path for the M3 firmware update and click Extract.
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This will create a folder named Extract to path\Qradar_2U_M3_MT7377_xx05_xx24_Firmware_Update_1_0\BootableMediaCreatorv9_64\
Creating your USB key
- Navigate to the directory containing the extracted M3 Firmware files.
For example: C:\Qradar_2U_M3_MT7377_xx05_xx24_Firmware_Update_1_0\BootableMediaCreatorv9_64\ - Right-click ibm_utl_bomc_9.64_windows_i386.exe and select Run As Administrator.
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NOTE: Depending on your current permissions, you might be required to type the username and password for the local administrator account. - On the Welcome page, click Next.
- IMPORTANT: Do NOT select the Check for the latest version of this tool check box. These instructions are specific to IBM Bootable Media Creator 9.64, which is packaged with the EXE file.
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- On the Media Purpose page, select the Updates check box and click Next.
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- Select Look in a local directory.
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NOTE: The path to the workingdir should be inserted automatically when you select Look in a local directory.
If the path is not populated, the local directory should be the "Extract to path"\Qradar_M3_MT7377_xx05_xx24_Firmware_Update_1_0\BootableMediaCreatorv9_64\workingdir. - Ensure that the USB has at least 4 GB of available space for the media format page and that your USB drive is inserted in to the Windows host.
- On the Media Format page, select USB as the Device Type, the Disk, select the Write directly to device option, and click Next.
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- Select Do not use unattended mode option when prompted and click Next.
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- Confirm the configuration for the USB drive and click Next.
- Important: Do NOT remove the USB device until the bootable media creation displays a notification that the process is complete. You might be prompted to erase the USB drive before you continue.
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RESULTS
When complete, you are prompted to safely eject the USB drive, click Next, then click Finish.
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Updating your QRadar M3 appliance
The instructions below are intended for M3 appliances that are not configured as HA (high-availability) pairs. If your appliance is in a HA pair, you must use the High-Availability update instructions found here: http://www.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=swg27047121#HA
- Procedure
- Insert the USB drive that has the bootable image into the QRadar appliance.
- From the terminal of the KVM switch for the appliance, log in by using the root credentials.
- From the command prompt, type: reboot.
- As the appliance is rebooting, press the F12 key to select a boot device.
- Select the bootable firmware image, for example, USB Storage and Press Enter.
- Results The IBM ToolsCenter software is booted.
IMPORTANT: Do not remove the USB flash drive until the IBM ToolsCenter completes the firmware installation.
Applying M3 firmware using the IBM Bootable Media Creator Tool
Hardware | Details |
Server Type | x3630 M3 |
Server Machine Type | 7377 |
- The IBM ToolsCenter Welcome page is displayed.
- When prompted, select the Updates option.
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- Verify that the bootable media shows the correct machine type for the appliance.
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- To start the update link, select Click here to start update.
- Select your language and click I accept the terms in the license agreement to continue.
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- The IBM UpdateXpress System Pack Installer compares the current package with the installed firmware.
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- From the list of selected firmware items, verify that the selected items match the firmware items to update.
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- To start applying the updates, click Next on the Update Options page.
- The bootable media creator starts to install firmware on the M3 appliance.
(Click to enlarge image) - Verify that all the firmware updates are applied, and click Next to complete the update.
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- After the update is complete, click Save Log to save the installation log to the USB flash drive. This file can be provided to support in case any issues occurred during the update.
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- Select the USB flash drive and click OK.
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- When all updates are complete, click Finish to reboot the appliance.
- The appliance reboots and starts up normally.
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Document Information
Modified date:
20 September 2022
UID
swg27047796