PowerEdge Server
System Setup Program (BIOS) and Firmware

Maintenance

All PowerEdge servers have flashable BIOS software, and updates are frequently produced by Dell to resolve software issues and increase system performance. Updated BIOS software may be downloaded from the Web through premiersupport.dell.com or received periodically on CD from Dell as part of the OpenManage Subscription Service.

The OpenManage package is updated several times a year, and the best way to stay up to date with new releases is by enrolling in the OpenManage Subscription Service. An annual subscription includes a minimum of four updates to the Dell Server Assistant CD, the Dell OpenManage Applications CD and the Dell Online Documentation CD. The OpenManage Subscription Service is applicable only to Dell PowerEdge servers purchased within the last five years.

Purchasing the OpenManage Subscription Service

The OpenManage Subscription Service provides a convenient method for IT professionals to stay up to date with the latest support files for Dell systems. For more information please go here:

Subscribing to the Dell OpenManage Subscription Service

The subscription service may be added to a server at the time of purchase or ordered separately at a later date. There is no need to purchase a subscription for every server, as one subscription may be used for multiple servers.

Firmware Maintenance

Firmware for integrated hardware devices is also frequently updated to address issues and improve performance. Firmware updates for hardware connected to the System Management Bus (this includes the system backplane, PCI hotplug, and the power supply board on most servers) are performed by using the Embedded Server Management (ESM) flash utility.

The procedure for using the ESM utility is very similar to a BIOS flash: updates are received from either premiersupport.dell.com or the OpenManage Subscription Service CD. The files are then extracted to floppy, with the updates being applied after booting the server to the floppy.

Note: The system BIOS and ESM should always be flashed in conjunction with one another. The correct procedure is to flash the system BIOS, then reboot and flash the ESM before resuming normal operation of the server. The system BIOS and ESM are closely linked to one another and must be at compatible revision levels to function properly.

Other hardware (PERCs, NICs, etc.,) may have firmware updates available periodically as well.

Updating the system BIOS and the firmware on a server regularly is a good way to assure maximum performance and avoid unforeseen issues.

PowerEdge servers may have one of several types of System Setup program interfaces; representative examples are shown on the following pages.