Release Notes
Abstract
This firmware update (5.2.0) provided by IBM is the latest firmware for your IBM® Security QRadar® M4 appliances. This update is only intended for M4 1U form factor QRadar appliances (12xx, 13xx, 15xx, & 2100) where administrators want to update appliances using a bootable USB drive to complete an on-premise firmware update.
Content
Important: Select a tab to read each step of the firmware procedure.
Tab navigation
Part 1: About the M4 firmware 5.2.0 update
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. If your Data Center does not allow USB keys, instructions and a download are available for administrators who have configured their Integrated Management Module (IMM2) interfaces. For information about other installation options, see our FAQ page at: http://ibm.biz/qradarfirmware .
Supported appliances, types, and model information
This firmware update applies to the following IBM Security QRadar M4 (1U form factor) appliances, server type, or Machine type models:
Hardware | Details | Size |
Appliance | IBM Security QRadar 2100 G2 IBM Security Qflow Collector 1201 IBM Security Qflow Collector 1202 IBM Security Qflow Collector 1301 IBM Security Qflow Collector 1310 IBM Security Event Collector 1501 G2 | 1U |
Server Type | x3550 M4 | 1U |
Server Machine Type | 7914 | 1U |
Machine type models (MTM) | 4380-Q1C 4380-Q2C 4380-Q3C 4380-Q4C 4380-Q5C 4380-Q6C | 1U |
Important file changes and prerequisites in this firmware 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 below, the administrator will need to 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 | 1aoo84d-6.81 | ibm_fw_imm2_1aoo84d-6.81_anyos_noarch |
UEFI/BIOS | None | d7e164c-2.70 | ibm_fw_uefi_d7e164c-2.70_anyos_32-64 |
DSA | None | dsytd8g-9.54 | ibm_fw_dsa_dsytd8g-9.54_anyos_anycpu |
RAID Controller M1115 | None | 20.13.1-0254 | ibm_fw_sraidmr_1000-20.13.1-0254_linux_32-64 |
RAID Controller M1110 | None | 1.20.02 | ibm_fw_mpt2sas_h1110-1.20.02_linux_32-64 |
HDD Update | None | 1.23.02 | ibm_fw_hddlenovo_sas-1.23.02_linux_32-64 |
- IMPORTANT: Administrators might see a warning message about a required firmware update of uEFI to version 1.20(TCE108i) during installation. This is a benign error message and the administrator can click OK and ignore the message. See the installation tab of this release note for more information.
- 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.
- For general firmware questions and information see our FAQ page at http://ibm.biz/qradarfirmware .
Full Release Notes from Lenovo for firmware 5.2.0 updates
Change files can be opened by any text editor. These files contain the full release notes provided by Lenovo to IBM for resolved issues that administrators might want to review.
QRadar_1U_M4_MT7914_Qflow_15xxEC_2100_Firmware_Update_5_2_0_0.txt
Part 2. Requirements to create a bootable USB drive
To create a bootable USB key, you must have access to the following items:
- An 8 GB or larger USB flash drive.
- Access to IBM Fix Central is required download firmware for QRadar appliances.
- A workstation or laptop running one the following operating systems:
- Windows 10
- Windows 7
- Windows Server 2008R2
- Windows Server 20016
Creating the bootable USB drive
- Download the M3 v5.2.0 firmware IMG file from IBM Fix Central:
- Download the Rufus Bootable USB Tool.
- Insert the USB flash drive into a USB port on your Windows laptop or workstation.
- Open Rufus and configure the properties.
Parameter Value Device Select your USB drive Boot Selection Select Qradar_1U_M4_MT7914_Qflow_15xxEC_2100_Firmware_Update_5_2_0.img Partition scheme MBR (Default) Target system BIOS (or UEFT-CSM) (Default) File system FAT32 (Default) Cluster size This value will default to the best option based on size of the USB drive. - Click Start. The image is loaded on the USB drive.
- After the installation finishes, safely eject the USB flash drive from your computer.
Results
The bootable drive is ready to be used to install firmware on the M4 appliance.
Part 3. Installing the Firmware on the QRadar M4 appliance
The instructions below are intended for M4 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 .
Booting from the USB Drive
- Insert the USB drive that has the bootable image into the QRadar appliance.
IMPORTANT: Do not remove the USB flash drive until the IBM ToolsCenter completes the firmware installation. - 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.
- When prompted, select the Updates option.
- Verify that the bootable media shows the correct machine type for the appliance.
Hardware Details Server Type x3650 M4 BD Server Machine Type 7914 - To start the update, select Click here to start update.
NOTE: Verify that the Updates list contains x3650 M4 BD -- machine type 7914in the updates list. - Select your language and click I accept the terms in the license agreement to continue.
- The IBM UpdateXpress System Pack Installer compares the current package with the installed firmware.
- **IMPORTANT**. Verify that all Suggested or Critical check boxes are selected. Administrators can use the first check box to select all options and the installer will skip any updates that are 'Not Required'.
- IMPORTANT: Administrators might see a warning message about a required firmware update of uEFI to version 1.20(TCE108i) during installation. This is a benign error message and the administrator can click OK and ignore the message. See the installation tab of this release note for more information.
- To start applying the updates, click Next on the Update Options page.
The bootable media creator starts to install firmware on the M4 appliance. - Verify that all the firmware updates are applied, and click Next to complete the update.
- 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.
- Select a drive to save the logs and click OK.
- When all updates are complete, click Finish to reboot the appliance.
Results
After the appliance boots, the system is ready to be used normally. If you experience any installation issues, you can contact QRadar Support for assistance and open a hardware case for your appliance. The support representative will request the firmware logs.
[{"Product":{"code":"SSBQAC","label":"IBM Security QRadar SIEM"},"Business Unit":{"code":"BU059","label":"IBM Software w\/o TPS"},"Component":"Hardware","Platform":[{"code":"PF016","label":"Linux"}],"Version":"7.3.1;7.3;7.2.8;7.2","Edition":"","Line of Business":{"code":"LOB24","label":"Security Software"}}]
Was this topic helpful?
Document Information
Modified date:
14 August 2019
UID
ibm10795149