Updating Firmware - IBM x3850 X6 Planning And Implementation Manual

Tip: It is advised to update all System x firmware to the latest level prior to performing an
OS or application installation.
You can also perform firmware updates using IBM Systems Director or Upward Integration
Module (UIM) with a hypervisor.
IBM Systems Director
Under certain operating systems, IBM Systems Director allows you to acquire, install, and
manage firmware updates, as well as monitor your systems to ensure that they remain
current. You can manage individual updates or a set up of updates. See 7.4, "IBM Systems
Director" on page 207 for additional information about IBM Systems Director.
Upward Integration Module
The Upward Integration Module (UIM) integrates PFA and microcode management and
diagnostics into standard hypervisors through value-add modules for X6.
UIMs provide hardware visibility to the hypervisor for superior system and VM management
and allows you to perform the following tasks:
Concurrent Firmware Updates. The UIM provides the ability to concurrently update all
system software in a virtualized environment with a single command.
Reliability, availability, serviceability (RAS) with UIM: RAS provides the ability to manage
and set policies around all PFA in the system; the ability to evacuate, migrate, or manage
VMs before an outage affects them.
See 7.5, "Upward Integration Modules" on page 217 for additional information about the
Upward Integration Module.

5.7.2 Updating firmware

Before applying updates, ensure that flashing is enabled on your system. To enable flashing,
you must enable the LAN over USB interface first in UEFI.
For the x3850 X6 and x3950 X6 servers, in the UEFI menu, select System Settings 
Integrated Management Module  Commands on USB Interface Preference and enable
Commands on USB interface. See Figure 5-51.
Figure 5-51 Enable flashing in the UEFI
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IBM System x3850 X6 and x3950 X6 Planning and Implementation Guide