IBM eX5 Implementation Guide

Chapter 7. IBM System x3690 X5 365

Figure 7-61 Set Bootloader Options

6. Continue with the ESX installation.

7.9.7 Downloads and fixes for the x3690 X5 and MAX5

It is common during the support lifetime of a product that updates are released to provide

users with enhanced capabilities, extended functions, and problem resolutions. Most of the

updates are in the form of firmware, drivers, and OS patches.

We recommend that you perform a scheduled review of available updates to determine if they

are applicable to your user production environment.

Server firmware

Software that resides on flash memory and controls the lower-level functions of the server

hardware is known as server

firmware. An IBM System x server, such as the x3690 X5, can

run a number of types of firmware that are in charge of the server components.

The following types of firmware make up the primary firmware for the IBM System x3690 X5:

򐂰 Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI)

򐂰 Integrated Management Module (IMM)

򐂰 Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA)

򐂰 Preboot Dynamic System Analysis (DSA)

Other firmware controls each server component and corresponds to the manufacturer and

model of the device, such as firmware for NIC, RAID controller, and so on.

IBM provides the firmware updates. You can download the firmware updates from the IBM

website, including proven firmware from other manufacturers to apply on IBM systems.

We describe several methods of performing firmware updates on IBM eX5 servers in 9.10,

“Firmware update tools and methods” on page 509.

Tip: It is a recommended practice to update all System x firmware to the latest level prior to

performing OS and application installation.

366 IBM eX5 Implementation Guide

Useful links:

򐂰 IBM

Bootable Media Creator (BoMC) is a tool that simplifies the IBM System x firmware

update process without an OS running on the system. You can obtain more information

about this tool at the following website:

http://ibm.com/support/entry/portal/docdisplay?lndocid=TOOL-BOMC

򐂰 You can access the IBM System x3690 X5 firmware and drivers quickly at the following

website:

http://www.ibm.com/support/fixcentral/systemx/quickorder?parent=ibm~Systemx3690

X5&product=ibm/systemx/7148&&platform=All&function=all&source=fc

򐂰 The following website contains a guide that describes firmware update best practices for

UEFI-based IBM System x servers:

http://ibm.com/support/entry/myportal/docdisplay?lndocid=MIGR-5082923

Device drivers

Device drivers are software that controls hardware server components on the OS level. They

are specific to the OS version, so critical device drivers are included with the installation

media.

Device driver updates are provided by IBM, OS vendors, and component device vendors.

They are primarily downloadable from each company’s support website.

Whenever possible, we recommend acquiring tested and approved driver updates from IBM.

You can get more information at these useful links:

򐂰 The Windows Server installation process using IBM ServerGuide performs IBM driver

updates after the OS installation is complete. You can access this tool at the following

website:

http://ibm.com/support/entry/portal/docdisplay?lndocid=SERV-GUIDE

򐂰 IBM UpdateXpress is a tool that simplifies the IBM System x firmware and driver update

running a supported OS. You can access more information about this tool at the following

website:

http://ibm.com/support/entry/portal/docdisplay?lndocid=SERV-XPRESS

򐂰 You can access the IBM System x3690 X5 firmware and drivers quickly at the following

website:

http://www.ibm.com/support/fixcentral/systemx/quickorder?parent=ibm~Systemx3690

X5&product=ibm/systemx/7148&&platform=All&function=all&source=fc

Operating system updates, fixes, and patches

The performance and reliability of a scaled x3690 X5 are tightly related to the OS running on

it. IBM supports an assortment of modern and widely used OSs that are capable of utilizing

the system’s potential. Each vendor supports its OS by releasing updates, fixes, and patches

that provide enhanced functionality and fixes to known problems. Certain updates, fixes, and

patches are only applicable to certain configurations, but other updates, fixes, and patches

apply to all configurations. Each OS vendor’s support website has extensive information

about these updates, fixes, and patches.

System update resources

Table 7-6 on page 367 lists important resources for system updates with the available support

in each website.