Dell PowerEdge M420 Administrator's Manual page 57

The new firmware is downloaded in the form of RPM packages. Package names are defined in pfile
along with other firmware information (time stamp, platform code, version, etc.). These packages
are made available periodically to add features or to remedy defects. Contact customer support to
obtain information about available firmware versions.
On enterprise-class platforms, this command, by default, downloads the firmware image to both
CPs in rollover mode to prevent disruption to application services. This operation depends on High
Availability (HA) support. If HA is not available, use the -s option to upgrade the CPs one at a time.
All systems supported by this firmware have two partitions of nonvolatile storage (primary and
secondary) to store two firmware images. This command always downloads the new image to the
secondary partition and then swaps partitions so the secondary partition becomes the primary.
By default, firmwaredownload then reboots the system and activates the new image. Finally, it
performs a firmwareCommit automatically to copy the new image to the other partition. In systems
with blade processors (BPs), after the new CP firmware is downloaded to the system and activated,
the BP firmware is downloaded to the BP processors if there is a mismatch between the BP and CP
firmware.
By default, firmwareDownload performs a full install, auto reboot, and auto commit. These modes
are selectable only in single CP (-s) mode, in which case auto reboot is OFF by default.
For each standalone switch in your fabric, complete all firmware download changes before issuing
the firmwareDownload command on the next switch to ensure a nondisruptive download.
If firmwareDownload is interrupted due to an unexpected reboot as a result of a software error or
power failure, the command automatically recovers the corrupted secondary partition. Wait for the
recovery to complete before starting another firmwareDownload.
Notes Firmware download procedures may vary depending on which OS version you are migrating from.
The execution of this command is subject to Virtual Fabric or Admin Domain restrictions that may
be in place. Refer to
Admin Domain restrictions"
Operands The following operands are optional. When invoked without operands, the command goes into
interactive mode.
-U
-s
-b
Dell 8/4Gbps FC SAN Module Administrator's Guide
53-1001345-01
"Understanding Virtual Fabric restrictions"
on page 33 for details.
Downloads the firmware from an attached USB device. This option is valid
only on platforms that support a USB port. Refer to your specific Hardware
Reference Guide for details. The USB device must be enabled prior to
firmware download with the usbStorage command. Firmware must be stored
under the /firmware directory in the USB file system. On a dual-CP chassis,
the USB device must be attached to the active CP. When downloading
firmware from a USB device, the -p option is ignored.
Enables single-CP mode. This mode supports selectively enabling or disabling
a full install, auto reboot, and auto commit on bladed and non-bladed
systems. On enterprise-class platforms, this mode supports upgrading a
single CP. When downloading the main OS firmware, this option disables auto
reboot, unless overridden by the -b option.
Enables auto reboot mode. When single CP mode is enabled and this
operand is not specified, reboot must be run manually to activate the
downloaded image. If auto reboot mode is enabled, the switch reboots
automatically after the firmware has been downloaded.
firmwareDownload
on page 32 and "Understanding
B
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