Chapter 2. Configuration Information And Instructions; Updating The Firmware; Configuring The Server - IBM System x3500 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/systems/support/ 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 System x servers and optional
devices. 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/systems/management/
xpress.html.
When you replace 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 stored in ROM on the microprocessor board.
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-X
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 following configuration programs come with the server:
v Configuration/Setup Utility program
v IBM ServerGuide Setup and Installation CD
v Baseboard management controller
© Copyright IBM Corp. 2007, 2008
microprocessor board.
board.
during the BIOS code update procedure.
The Configuration/Setup Utility program is part of the basic input/output system
(BIOS). Use it to configure serial port assignments, change interrupt request
(IRQ) settings, change the startup-device sequence, set the date and time, and
set passwords. For information about using this utility program, see "Using the
Configuration/Setup Utility program" on page 14.
The ServerGuide program provides software-setup tools and installation tools
that are designed for the server. Use this CD during the installation of the server
to configure basic hardware features, such as an integrated SAS controller with
RAID capabilities, and to simplify the installation of the operating system. For
information about using this CD, see "Using the ServerGuide Setup and
Installation CD" on page 20.
Use these programs to configure the baseboard management controller, to
update the firmware and sensor data record/field replaceable unit (SDR/FRU)
13