Obtaining firmware updates

You can use the Chassis Management Module or a management node, if installed, to update the chassis firmware.

The following chassis components have firmware that can be updated:

In addition, some of the optional hardware devices that you can order for the chassis have device drivers that you must install.

For example, Ethernet controllers are integrated on each compute node system board. The Ethernet controllers provide 1000 Mbps full-duplex capability only, which enables simultaneous transmission and reception of data to the external ports on the Ethernet switches. You do not have to set any jumpers or configure the controller for the compute node operating system. However, you must install a device driver in the compute node to enable the compute node operating system to address the Ethernet controller.

See the documentation that comes with your optional hardware devices for information about installing any required device drivers.

Attention: Before you install any new components in the Flex System Enterprise Chassis, update the Chassis Management Module firmware to the latest level available. See Updating the CMM firmware for more information.

Using the Chassis Management Module

For more information about using the Chassis Management Module web interface to update the chassis firmware, see Lenovo Flex System Chassis Management Module Chassis management options.

You can use the Chassis Management Module command-line interface to update the chassis firmware. See Lenovo Flex System Chassis Management Module update command for more information.

Using a management node

If a Lenovo XClarity Administrator is available, you can download, install, and manage firmware updates for managed endpoints, including chassis, compute nodes, and I/O modules. You can assign compliance policies to the managed endpoints to ensure that firmware on those endpoints remains compliant.
Note: Firmware updates can be applied to the hardware only. You cannot update device drivers using the Lenovo XClarity Administrator.
For more information about using the Lenovo XClarity Administrator, see Lenovo XClarity Administrator information page.

You can also use the Flex System Manager management node to update firmware and device drivers for all of the chassis components, if one is available. For more information about using the Flex System Manager management software to update firmware and device drivers for the chassis components, see the Flex System Manager information page.

Parent topic: Installing the Flex System Enterprise Chassis