UCS C-Series Firmware Upgrade

The first step is to verify the CIMC Firmware and BIOS and perform an upgrade on the Firmware first and then the BIOS via the UCS Server Configuration Utility. If you upgrade the BIOS first, you must also upgrade the CIMC firmware or the server will not boot. This is why it is better to upgrade the CIMC firmware first.

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/ps10493/products_configuration_example09186a0080b07b7c.shtml

1. Verify your current server hardware Firmware version and BIOS version in CIMC by going to Server (tab) > Summary.
2. Download the upgrade ISO from Cisco’s website (roughly 200 MB)
1. Products > Unified Computing and Servers > Cisco UCS C-Series Rack-Mount Standalone Server Software > Cisco UCS C200 M2 Rack-Mount Server Software
2. Select Unified Computing System (UCS) Server Firmware
3. Verify your current version release and the latest one available
1. Web GUI into CIMC via the DHCP assigned IP Address (admin/password)
2. The Server Summary first page will list the BIOS Version, and Firmware Version
3. Under Admin tab > Firmware Management will be the CIMC Firmware Version
4. Mount the ISO locally and search for the CIMC folder
5. Find the BIN files that are needed for the upgrade
3. Setup your TFTP server with this file location as the directory
4. In CIMC go to Admin (tab) > Firmware Management
5. Click on "Install CIMC Firmware through Browser Client" or "Install CIMC Firmware from TFTP Server"
1. Click Browse and locate the "full" BIN file and click "Install Firmware"
2. Press TAB and enter the IP Address (if using TFTP)
3. Press TAB and enter the "full" upgrade file (if using TFTP)
1. This file MUST be of type .BIN or it will NOT work
2. Click Install Firmware
4. Install time takes roughly 15 minutes
6. Watch the "Last Firmware Install" window and wait for it to Complete Successfully
1. You should see a Running Version, Backup Version, and Boot-loader Version.
2. Click on "Activate CIMC Firmware
1. You will be given an option for the upgraded firmware
3. The management controller will be rebooted immediately after you click on "Activate Firmware" (this does NOT reboot the server, it ONLY reboots CIMC)
7. When CIMC is back up, confirm the Firmware Version
8. mount the image and access the utility via the KVM Console.

.