Firmware update

Update the firmware (also called "flashing the ROM") as part of regular server maintenance. In addition, check for specific firmware updates in between regular updates to help keep the server performing optimally.

Firmware updates are created for, but are not limited to, the following reasons:

To provide critical problem fixes that ensure system stability, such as upgrades that might prevent server unresponsiveness and other issues that could put the system at risk.
To correct product issues, such as ROM or processor functionality.
To improve system performance or make the system more serviceable.

Server downtime and time spent removing, returning, and ultimately replacing hardware might be avoided by first updating the firmware during the troubleshooting process. Many product issues that result in hardware replacement are preventable or correctable with a firmware update. Hewlett Packard Enterprise recommends checking for a firmware update before sending a part back to Hewlett Packard Enterprise for replacement.

On servers that have add-on options, Hewlett Packard Enterprise recommends checking for firmware upgrades for each installed option whenever an update to the system ROM or to another option is performed. This ensures that the entire system is running the latest updates for each component.

Multiple methods exist to update the system ROM:

EFI tool under Embedded UEFI Shell
Online Flash components

Product entitlement is required to perform updates.

CAUTION:

Any kind of system interruption during the firmware update results in errors that might corrupt the BIOS settings. These errors prevent the server from booting up. To prevent these update errors, observe the following cautions:

Attach a UPS to the server to provide backup power to the system when updating the firmware.
Do not perform a forced shutdown of the server.
Do not perform a forced closure of the firmware update tool.