Chapter 5. Configuration Information And Instructions; Updating The Firmware; Configuring The Server - IBM System x3200 Problem Determination And Service Manual

Chapter 5. Configuration information and instructions

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

Updating the firmware

The firmware for the server is periodically updated and is available for download on
the Web. Go tohttp://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.
When you replace a device in the server, you might have to either update the
server with the latest version of the firmware that is stored in memory on the device
or restore the pre-existing firmware from a diskette or CD image.
The following items are downloadable from the Web at http://www.ibm.com/servers/
eserver/support/xseries/index.html:
v BIOS code
v Diagnostics programs
v Mini-BMC firmware
v Ethernet firmware
v ServeRAID firmware
v SAS firmware
Major components contain VPD code. You can select to update the VPD code when
you update the BIOS code.

Configuring the server

The following configuration programs are available to configure the computer:
v Configuration/Setup Utility program
v IBM ServerGuide Setup and Installation CD
v Boot Menu program
© Copyright IBM Corp. 2005
The Configuration/Setup Utility program is part of the basic input/output system
(BIOS) code in the server. You can use this program to configure serial port
assignments, change interrupt request (IRQ) settings, change the device startup
sequence, set the date and time, set passwords, and set the chassis intrusion
detector. For information about using this utility program, see "Using the
Configuration/Setup Utility program" on page 130.
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/SATA 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 133.
The Boot Menu program is part of the BIOS code in the server. Use it to
temporarily assign a device to be first in the startup sequence, overriding the
startup sequence that is set in the Configuration/Setup Utility program. For
information about using this utility program, see "Using the Boot Menu program"
on page 135.
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