Updating the Firmware on a Cisco UCS C-Series Server Using the HUU

Updating the Firmware

This section describes procedure to upgrade or downgrade the C-Series and S-Series servers firmware and various options available for upgrade or downgrade.


Note

After updating the Cisco IMC firmware, you must check the compatibility matrix to verify if the drivers are compliant with the updated version of Cisco IMC. If the driver versions are non-compliant, you must update the driver versions to match the Cisco IMC version.

The Hardware and Software Interoperability Matrix is available here:

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/ps10477/prod_technical_reference_list.html

Downloading the ISO File for Update

Procedure

Step 1

Navigate to the following URL: Software Download

You must be logged in to continue.
Step 2

Search for—Unified Computing.

Step 3

In the center column, click Cisco UCS C-Series Rack-Mount Standalone Server Software.

Step 4

Choose the name of your model of server in the right column.
Step 5

Click Unified Computing System (UCS) Server Firmware.

Step 6

From the left pane, choose the release number
Step 7

Click the Download icon to download the ucs-server platform-huu-version_number.iso file.

Step 8

Click Accept License Agreement to start the download.

What to do next

Prepare the ISO file.

Preparing the ISO File for Firmware Update

Before you begin

Ensure that the ISO file is downloaded and saved.

If you want to prepare the ISO for a local update, perform these steps before starting the procedure:

  1. Burn the ISO image onto a writable disk (CD/DVD) or copy it on a USB drive.

  2. Connect a VGA monitor and USB keyboard to the server.

  3. Insert the disk into the USB DVD drive of the server or the USB drive into the USB port.

Procedure

Step 1

Use a browser to connect to the software on the server that you are upgrading.
Step 2

In the address field of the browser, enter the IP address for that server, and then enter your username and password.
Step 3

Click Launch KVM Console from the toolbar.

Ensure that your browser allows pop up windows. KVM console opens in a different window.
Step 4

In the KVM Console, click Virtual Media.

Note 

Virtual Media is not available for read-only users.

You can use one of the following options to create a virtual media:

Name

Description
Create Image

Allows you to create an ISO image. Drag and drop files or folders in the Create Image dialog box; these files or folders are converted to an ISO image. You can use the Download ISO Image button to save the ISO image to your local machine.

Note 

Create Image option is not available in Safari browser.

vKVM-Mapped vDVD

Opens the Map Virtual Media - CD/DVD dialog box, which allows you to select an ISO image from your local computer and map the drive.

vKVM-Mapped vHDD

Opens the Map Virtual Media - Removable Disk dialog box, which allows you to select an ISO image from your local computer and map the drive.

vKVM-Mapped vFDD

Opens the Map Virtual Media - Floppy Disk dialog box, which allows you to select an ISO image from your local computer and map the drive.

CIMC-Mapped vDVD

Opens the Map Virtual Media - CD/DVD dialog box, which allows you to select an ISO image from your local computer and map the drive. It also allows you to save, edit, and delete mappings.

Refer Table 1.

CIMC-Mapped vHDD

Opens the Map Virtual Media - CD/DVD dialog box, which allows you to select an ISO image from your local computer and map the drive. It also allows you to save, edit, and delete mappings.

Refer Table 1.

Table 1. Add New Mapping Dialog Box

Name

Description

Name field

User defined name of the virtual media.

NFS button

Network File System based mapping.

CIFS button

Common Internet File System based mapping.

HTTP/S

HTTP-based or HTTPS-based mapping.

File Location field

Location of the .iso file in the following format:

  • <IP Address or DNS Name>[:Port]/.iso file path

Username field

Note 

Available only for CIFS and HTTP/S based mappings.

The username, if any.

Password field

Note 

Available only for CIFS and HTTP/S based mappings.

The password for the selected username, if any.

Mount Options field

Note 

Available only for CIFS and NFS based mappings.

The selected mount options.

  • NFS—For NFS, either leave the field blank or enter one or more of the following:

    • wsize=VALUE

    • vers=VALUE

    • timeo=VALUE

    • retrans=VALUE

    • retry=VALUE

    • rsize=VALUE

  • For CIFS, either leave the field blank or enter one or more of the following:

    • nounix

    • noserverino

    • sec=VALUE

    • vers=VALUE

Auto-remap check box

Cisco IMC automatically remaps the device when the host system ejects the media.

Stored vMedia button

Opens an additional area on the right to select stored vMedia from the respective list.

Save button

Saves the vMedia.

Map Drive button

Saves and maps the mounted vMedia.

CD/DVD panel

Provides a list of stored vMedia. If you are mapping using CIMC-Mapped vDVD option, then you can also edit or delete any vMedia from this list.

Removable Disk panel

Provides a list of stored vMedia. If you are mapping using CIMC-Mapped vHDD option, then you can also edit or delete any vMedia from this list.

What to do next

Update and activate the firmware.

Updating and/or Activating the Firmware

Before you begin

Ensure that the ISO file is ready.

Procedure

Step 1

Boot the server and press F6 when prompted to open the Boot Menu screen.

Step 2

In the Boot Menu screen, choose the prepared ISO:

  • For a local update, choose the physical or externally connected CD/DVD device and then press Enter.

  • For remote update choose one of following where you have mounted the ISO image:

    • Cisco vKVM-Mappred vDVD

    • UEFI: CIMC-Mapped vDVD
Step 3

After the HUU boots, Cisco End User License Agreement (EULA) appears, read the EULA and click Accept to continue.

Step 4

You can now update the firmware for components or drives using the following options:

  • To update and/or activate all components and drives with single click, perform Step 5.

  • To update and/or activate specific components and drives, perform Step 6.

    Note 

    Ensure that Advanced Mode is enabled.

Step 5

Click Update & Activate.

In the Update-activate All dialog box, check:

  • Exclude Persistent Memory to exclude the persistent memory from update.

  • Exclude Storage Drives to exclude the drives from update.

  • Power cycle to activate to automatically reboot the server after update.

HUU updates all the applicable firmware and reboots the server (if Power cycle to activate option was checked) or waits for you to reboot server. Updated firmware are activated on next reboot.

Step 6

To update the firmware for specific components and drives, use the checkbox against each component or drive to select it.

In Update-activate Selected Components dialog box, check:

  • Exclude Persistent Memory to exclude the persistent memory from update (if persistent memory are selected).

  • Exclude Storage Drives to exclude the drives from update (if storage drives are selected).

  • Power cycle to activate to automatically reboot the server after update.

HUU updates all the applicable firmware and reboots the server (if Power cycle to activate option was checked) or waits for you to reboot server. Updated firmware are activated on next reboot.

Alternatively, after selecting the desired components and drives, you can select Update or Activate from More Actions drop-down list.

Viewing Last Updated Firmware Information

Procedure

Step 1

Boot the server and press F6 when prompted to open the Boot Menu screen.

Step 2

In the Boot Menu screen, choose the prepared ISO:

  • For a local update, choose the physical or externally connected CD/DVD device and then press Enter.

  • For remote update choose one of following where you have mounted the ISO image:

    • Cisco vKVM-Mappred vDVD

    • UEFI: CIMC-Mapped vDVD
Step 3

After the HUU boots, Cisco End User License Agreement (EULA) appears, read the EULA and click Accept to continue.

Step 4

You can now update the firmware for components or drives using the following options:
Step 5

From the home page, click the Verify Last Update tab.

You can view the firmware update history.