Chapter 2. Configuration Information And Instructions; Updating The Firmware; Configuring The Server - IBM 88643RU - System x3850 - 8864 Service Manual

Chapter 2. Configuration information and instructions

This chapter provides information about updating the firmware and using the
configuration utilities.

Updating the firmware

The firmware in your server is periodically updated and is available for download on
the Web. Go to http://www.ibm.com/servers/eserver/support/xseries/index.html to
check for the latest level of firmware, such as BIOS code, vital product data (VPD)
code, device drivers, and service processor firmware.
The UpdateXpress program is available for most IBM System x and xSeries servers
and server options. It detects supported and installed device drivers and firmware in
your server and installs available updates. You can download the UpdateXpress
program from the Web at no additional cost, or you can purchase it on a CD. To
download the program or purchase the CD, go to http://www.ibm.com/servers/
eserver/xseries/systems_management/ibm_director/
extensions/xpress.html.
When replacing devices in the server, you might have to either update the server
with the latest version of the firmware stored on the board or restore the
pre-existing firmware from a diskette or CD image.
v BIOS code and the diagnostics programs are stored in ROM on the
v BMC firmware is stored in ROM on the baseboard management controller on the
v Ethernet firmware is stored in ROM on the Ethernet controller on the PCI board.
v ServeRAID firmware is stored in ROM on the ServeRAID adapter.
v SAS firmware is stored in ROM on the SAS controller on the I/O board.
v Major components contain VPD code. You can select to update the VPD code

Configuring the server

The ServerGuide
installation tools that are specifically designed for your IBM server. Use this CD
during the initial installation of the server to configure basic hardware features and
to simplify the operating-system installation.
In addition to the ServerGuide Setup and Installation CD, you can use the following
configuration programs to customize the server hardware:
v UpdateXpress program
v Configuration/Setup Utility program
v Baseboard management controller utility programs
v Preboot Execution Environment (PXE) boot agent utility program
v SAS/SATA Configuration Utility program
v ServeRAID Manager
© Copyright IBM Corp. 2006
microprocessor board.
microprocessor board.
during the BIOS code update procedure.
™
Setup and Installation CD provides software setup tools and
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