I must be doing something wrong... BIOS updates Dell servers

momurda

It seems to be impossible to update the bios on a Dell R220. Been trying for a loooong time. Tried to use the efi file, cant be chosen from the File Explorer in UEFI. Get 'non bootable device' if i choose it as boot device. Lifecycle Controller requires $ apparently.
I just found that Dell has made linux iso files for this purpose(likely because the current process is so bad), a separate one for each server they sell going back years now.
The iso images are 2.5GB each. Downloading one now very slowly, will need to use rufus to make it usb bootable.
Seriously why cant i just hit Ctrl Home during post and be done with it in 30 seconds like i could 15 years ago?

momurda

Here is the webpage describing the linux iso update process, and links to the individual server models.
https://www.dell.com/support/article/us/en/04/sln296511/updating-dell-poweredge-servers-via-bootable-media-iso?lang=en
"Update process may take an hour" WTF?
Honestly dont care how long it takes, just that it works at this point. Will know when this glacial download completes.

dbeato

@momurda said in I must be doing something wrong... BIOS updates Dell servers:

Here is the webpage describing the linux iso update process, and links to the individual server models.
https://www.dell.com/support/article/us/en/04/sln296511/updating-dell-poweredge-servers-via-bootable-media-iso?lang=en
"Update process may take an hour" WTF?
Honestly dont care how long it takes, just that it works at this point. Will know when this glacial download completes.

The update takes long due to it going through all the devices. I bet you are using the Dell SUU Utility.

dbeato

@dbeato said in I must be doing something wrong... BIOS updates Dell servers:

@momurda said in I must be doing something wrong... BIOS updates Dell servers:

Here is the webpage describing the linux iso update process, and links to the individual server models.
https://www.dell.com/support/article/us/en/04/sln296511/updating-dell-poweredge-servers-via-bootable-media-iso?lang=en
"Update process may take an hour" WTF?
Honestly dont care how long it takes, just that it works at this point. Will know when this glacial download completes.

The update takes long due to it going through all the device hardware. I bet you are using the Dell SUU Utility.

momurda

Okay after more problems I have got the update process going.
After you make the bootable iso in rufus, then boot off of it, you will likely get a whole screen full of errors about not being able to mount disks, and finally about
apply_bundles.sh file not found error.

https://www.dell.com/community/PowerEdge-Hardware-General/apply-bundles-sh-is-invalid/td-p/4756984
^^This is the solution, though mine required some more.
#mount /dev/sd(b)1 /opt/dell/toolkit/systems
sdb1 might be something else on your computer.
Then I had to manually navigate to
cd /opt/dell/toolkit/systems/drm_files
Finally from here
#./apply_bundles.sh

It looks like it is working. Dots are moving across the terminal screen.

momurda

Success
Updated bios from 1.4.0 to 1.10.2
Updated Perc fw from 2012 something to 2013 something
Updated NIC fw from version 7.x to 20.x

360col

You can also use Dell Repository Manager to create a bootable ISO to update.