IBM Support

QRadar: M4 Firmware 7.0.0 for xSeries 2U Appliances (ISO/IMM remote installs)

Release Notes


Abstract

This firmware update (v7.0.0) provided by IBM updates QRadar® M4 appliances with updates for UEFI, IMM2, RAID controllers, and HDD software fixes and enhancements. This firmware can be used on all QRadar M4 2U form factor appliances, but requires that the administrator configured their integrated management module (IMM).

Content

Important: Select a tab to read each step of the firmware procedure.


The M4 firmware update v7.0.0 is intended to remotely update firmware by using the onboard Integrated Management Module (IMM) on the appliance. Administrators must extract the EXE file and apply the IMM2 update, then the ISO can be mounted to apply the firmware update. Updates to the IMM firmware prevents installation issues when the core firmware update is applied. The installation instructions are on tab named 'Part 2. Installing Firmware Updates'. These instructions guide customers through a remote upgrade of their firmware.
 

Important: If your appliance is in a HA pair, there are configuration steps required to set the status properly for your primary and secondary high-availability appliances. For more information, see: http://www.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=swg27047121#HA .

 

Supported appliances, types, and model information


This firmware update applies to the following IBM Security QRadar M4 (2U form factor) appliances:
Hardware Details Size
Appliance QRadar 1400 Data Node (4380-Q1E)
QRadar Event Processor 1605 (4380-Q1E)
QRadar Flow Processor 1705 (4380-Q1E)
QRadar Event Processor 1628 (4380-Q2E)
QRadar Flow Processor 1728 (4380-Q2E)
QRadar 3105 (All-in-One) (4380-Q1E)
QRadar 3105 (Console) (4380-Q1E)
QRadar 3128 (All-in-One) (4380-Q2E)
QRadar 3128 (Console) (4380-Q2E)
QRadar Log Manager 3105 (All-in-One) (4380-Q1E)
QRadar Log Manager 3105 Console (4380-Q1E)
QRadar Log Manager 3128 (All-in-One) (4380-Q2E)
QRadar Log Manager 3128 (Console) (4380-Q2E)
QRadar Vulnerability Manager (4380-Q1E)
QRadar Risk Manager (4380-Q1E)
IBM Security QRadar Incident Forensics xx28 (4531-G1E)
IBM Security QRadar Packet Capture xx28 (4531-G2E)
IBM Security QRadar Packet Capture Data Node xx28 (4531-G3E)		 2U
Server Type x3650 M4 BD 2U
Server Machine Type 5466 2U
Appliance Machine type models (MTM) 4380-Q1E
4380-Q2E
4531-G1E
4531-G2E
4531-G3E		 2U
  Table 1: List of appliances that the M4 appliance firmware v7.0.0 can update.
 

Important information and prerequisites in this firmware update

Firmware v7.0.0 includes the following software updates in the Base System Pack and HDD update. Administrators must ensure that their M4 appliance includes the minimum version outlined in the Prerequisite version column. If your M4 appliance does not meet the prerequisite versions outlined in the table 2, the administrator must contact IBM QRadar Support to have a custom upgrade path defined for the M4 appliance.
Component Prerequisite version Firmware version in this update File name 
IMM2 4.35 or later 1aoo90b-7.40 ibm_fw_imm2_1aoo90b-7.40_anyos_noarch.uxz
UEFI/BIOS  None yoe134d-2.60 ibm_fw_uefi_yoe134d-2.60_anyos_32-64.uxz
DSA  None dsyte2z-9.66 ibm_fw_dsa_dsyte2a-9.66_anyos_32-64.uxz
RAID Controller M5110 None 23.34.0-0023 ibm_fw_sraidmr_6gb-23.34.0-0023_linux_32-64.bin
RAID Controller M5210 None 24.21.0-0112 ibm_fw_sraidmr_5200-24.21.0-0112_linux_32-64.bin
HDD Update  None sas-1.23.02 ibm_fw_hddlenovo_sas-1.23.02_linux_32-64.bin
Emulex None 15b-2.02x11-40 elx_fw_fc_15b-2.02x11-40_linux_32-64.bin
Table 2: Firmware updates for the M4 QRadar 2U form factor appliances are noted in this table. 
 
NOTES
  • After the IMM update is installed, the appliance must be restarted. Lenovo recommends that administrators restart appliances, instead of powering down the hardware to avoid a potential high voltage motherboard condition that can occur.
  • 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 latest firmware version that is available for your drive.
  • The base system pack might contain other firmware packages that are not present in QRadar appliances. Firmware updates from the base system pack can be listed when the tool compares available firmware to the hardware in the appliance and display a status of "undetected".
  • For general firmware questions and information see our FAQ page at http://ibm.biz/qradarfirmware.
 

 

Security issues resolved in this firmware update

This table defines the software versions contained within the firmware package and the applicable CVEs addressed in this firmware release.

Component File name  CVEs resolved in this package
UEFI/BIOS ibm_fw_uefi_yoe134d-2.60_anyos_32-64.uxz
  • Updated code to address security vulnerability CVE-2019-0151.
  • Removed the IPSec driver due to non-use and security issues.
IMM2 ibm_fw_imm2_1aoo90b-7.40_anyos_noarch.uxz CVE-2019-11477, CVE-2019-11478, CVE-2019-11479
 
DSA  ibm_fw_dsa_dsyte2a-9.66_anyos_32-64.uxz
RAID Controller M5110 ibm_fw_sraidmr_6gb-23.34.0-0023_linux_32-64.bin None
RAID Controller M5210 ibm_fw_sraidmr_5200-24.21.0-0112_linux_32-64.bin None
HDD Update  ibm_fw_hddlenovo_sas-1.23.02_linux_32-64.bin None
Emulex elx_fw_fc_15b-2.02x11-40_linux_32-64.bin None
Other Security Fixes None Additional firmware changes to address security vulnerabilities in open source packages, but for which there is no IMM2 exposure:

CVE-2015-5180, CVE-2018-11236, CVE-2018-15804

Table 3: Security issues resolved in the M4 firmware update v7.0.0.


 

A. Before you begin

  • This installation method uses the hardware's integrated management module (IMM) to remotely update firmware. If IMM network speeds are not sufficient, or the upgrade fails, use USB installation instead.
  • 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 .
  • If your appliances are in a HA pair, you must prepare your high-availability appliances by using the instructions found here: http://www.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=swg27047121#HA .
  • 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.
 

B. Downloading and extracting the firmware update

  1. Download the QRadar M4 2U appliance firmware update v7.0.0 from IBM Fix Central: http://www.ibm.com/support/fixcentral/swg/quickorder?parent=IBM%20Security&product=ibm/Other+software/IBM+Security+QRadar+SIEM&release=7.3.0&platform=All&function=fixId&fixids=7.3-QRADAR-FIRMWARE-M4_2U_ISO-QRadar-QNI-PCAP-QIF-7.0.0&includeSupersedes=0&source=fc
  2. Copy the M4 appliance firmware EXE to a directory on the Windows host.
  3. Double-click the file: Qradar_M4_2U_MT5466_x3650_7_0_0.exe.
  4. Select or type a directory path for the M4 firmware update and click Extract.

     
  5. The following files are extracted from the EXE file.
    image 4516

 

C. Updating the IMM firmware

  1. Log in to the IMM interface on your QRadar M4 appliance.
     
  2. Select Server Management > Server Firmware from the menu.
  3. Click Update Firmware

     
  4. Click Select File and choose the IMM2 firmware update: ibm_fw_imm2_1aoo90b-7.40_anyos_noarch.uxz.
    image 4517
  5. Click Next to upload and verify the IMM2 firmware file.
    image 4518
  6.  In the Additional Options, select Action1: Update the primary bank ONLY and click Next.
    Important: To prevent installation issues, administrators much confirm that they select the primary firmware bank during this step. The backup firmware bank is automatically updated and the Action 2 check box should be clear (not selected). Administrators who select both check boxes must reinstall their firmware to ensure the primary bank updates properly.
    image-20191101005633-1
     
  7. Wait for the update the primary firmware banks to complete.

     
  8. Click Restart IMM and clear your browser cache.

    Results
    After the IMM interface reboots, log in to the IMM and continue to the next section to mount the firmware ISO and configure the boot options.

D. Mounting the M4 Firmware ISO

 
  1. Click Remote Control.

     
  2. To start the Remote Control session, select either: Use Active X for Microsoft Internet Explorer or Java for all other browsers, such as Mozilla FireFox or Google Chrome.
     
  3. Click Start Remote Control in Single User Mode.
    NOTE: Administrators should always use single user mode for remote connections for updates.
     
  4. Administrators should leave the Allow others to request my remote session disconnect check box clear. It is not recommended for administrators to allow other users to request the active session during a firmware update.
     
  5. From the menu, select Virtual Media > Activate.

     
  6. From the menu, select Virtual Media > Select Devices to Mount.

     
  7. From the Devices window, click Add Image.

     
  8. Navigate to the ISO image and click Open.
    image 4519
  9. Select the CD/DVD QRadar_All_M4 is highlighted and verify that the Mapped check box is selected.

     
  10. Click Mount Selected.

     
  11. Power Up or Reboot the system to start the software installation process.
     
  12. As the appliance is rebooting, press the F12 key to select a boot device.

     
  13. In the Boot Devices Manager menu, use the arrow keys to navigate.
     
  14. Administrators must clear the Legacy Mode check box, then select the CD/DVDM option and press ENTER.

     
  15. The boot screen for the appliance is displayed.

     
  16. The IBM ToolsCenter Welcome page is displayed.
  17. When prompted, select the Updates option.

     
  18. Verify that the bootable media shows the correct machine type for the appliance.
    Hardware Details
    Server Type x3650 M4 BD
    Server Machine Type 5466
     
  19. To start the update, select Click here to start update.
    NOTE: Verify that the Updates list contains x3650 M4 BD -- machine type 5466 in the updates list.

     
  20. Select your language and click I accept the terms in the license agreement to continue.

     
  21. The IBM UpdateXpress System Pack Installer compares the current package with the installed firmware.

     
  22. Verify that the check boxes for all Suggested firmware updates are selected before you continue. Some end users have reported issues where uEFI updates were not selected by default and the firmware update needed to be installed a second time.
    image-20190110121249-4
  23. To start applying the updates, click Next on the Update Options page.
    The bootable media creator starts to install firmware on the M4 appliance.
     
  24. Verify that all the firmware updates are applied, and click Next to complete the update.
    image-20190114094217-1
     
  25. 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.

     
  26. Select the USB flash drive and click OK.

     
  27. When all updates are complete, click Finish to reboot the appliance.

    Results
    After the IMM firmware update is installed, the appliance must be restarted. Lenovo recommends that administrators restart appliances, instead of starting the appliance the hardware from the powered-down state. A warm start avoids a potential high voltage motherboard condition that can occur. If you experience any installation issues or error messages, you can contact QRadar Support for assistance and open a software support case for your appliance. The support representative can request the firmware logs for review to determine the cause of the error or if replacement hardware is required. If the issue is hardware related, the support representative can change the case type and involve the proper teams to schedule replacement parts.  
Troubleshooting
  • A green screen is not indicative of failure by itself, press CTRL on your keyboard to wake up the screen saver. If CTRL does not wake up the screensaver, you might need to press ENTER key. After ENTER key is pressed, if the Green background screen remains, check the power state of the IMM by going to the OEM Controller home page to view the power status in the upper left screen.

    Note: If you can't reconnect to the IMM, you need to send someone to the site to check on the machine status. In some rare circumstances, IMM can disconnect and the server maybe waiting for someone to press ENTER key locally.
 

Emulex Update Error Messages


This update can generate an Emulex installation error message that can be ignored as not all QRadar M5 or M4 appliances ship with an Emulex card. The firmware update contains software to attempt to update the Emulex drivers; however, not all appliances contain an Emulex device and an installation error can be displayed. If the administrator sees the error Emulex "Install did not succeed", verify if the device is part of the appliance configuration.




 

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Document Information

Modified date:
24 August 2023

UID

ibm16237858

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