IBM eX5 Implementation Guide

438 IBM eX5 Implementation Guide

Troubleshooting information for HX5 and SUSE Linux Enterprise Server

We recommend that you review all Retain tips relating to the HX5 and the operating system

that you are installing.

Go to the following website for troubleshooting information pertaining to HX5:

http://ibm.com/support/entry/portal/Troubleshooting/Hardware/Systems/BladeCenter/B

ladeCenter_HX5

SUSE Linux Enterprise Server software, firmware, drivers, and fixes for

HX5

Go to the following websites for all the latest information relating to software, firmware,

drivers, and fixes for HX5 when used with SUSE Linux Enterprise Server:

򐂰 For SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 11:

http://www-933.ibm.com/support/fixcentral/systemx/quickorder?parent=ibm~BladeCe

nterHX5&product=ibm/systemx/7872&&platform=SLES+11+x64&function=all&source=fc

򐂰 SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 10:

http://www-933.ibm.com/support/fixcentral/systemx/quickorder?parent=ibm~BladeCe

nterHX5&product=ibm/systemx/7872&&platform=SLES+10+x64&function=all&source=fc

8.7.7 Downloads and fixes for HX5 and MAX5

Typically, during the support lifetime of a product, IBM releases updates to provide you with

enhanced capabilities, extended functions, and problem resolutions. Most of the updates are

in the form of firmware, drivers, and operating system patches.

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

they apply to the systems that are used in your environment.

Server firmware

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

hardware is called the server

firmware. An IBM System, such as the HX5, runs a number of

firmware images that control various components of the blade.

The following list shows the primary firmware for the HX5:

򐂰 Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI)

򐂰 Integrated Management Module (IMM)

򐂰 Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA)

򐂰 Preboot Dynamic System Analysis (DSA)

Additional devices, such as network cards and RAID controllers, also contain their own

firmware revisions. IBM provides firmware updates, including proven firmware from other

manufacturers to be applied on IBM systems, that can be downloaded from the IBM website.

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

Chapter 9, “Management” on page 447.

Important tip: Update all System x firmware to the latest levels prior to installing the

operating system or application installation.

Chapter 8. IBM BladeCenter HX5 439

Device drivers

Device drivers are software that controls the hardware server components on the operating

system level. They are specific to the operating system version, and therefore, critical device

drivers are included with the installation media.

IBM, operating system vendors, and component device vendors provide device driver

updates. Often, you can download them from each company’s support website. Whenever

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

Operating system updates, fixes, and patches

The performance and reliability of an HX5 tightly relate to the operating system running on the

HX5. IBM supports an assortment of modern and widely used operating systems that are

capable of utilizing the system’s potential. Each vendor supports its operating system by

releasing updates, fixes, and patches that provide enhanced functionality and fixes to known

problems. Many of these updates, fixes, and patches only apply to certain configurations,

while other updates, fixes, and patches apply to all configurations. The operating system

vendor’s support website has extensive information about these updates, fixes, and patches.

System update resources

Table 8-7 provides useful links to IBM tools and vendor operating system support websites.

Table 8-7 Internet links to support and downloads

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

firmware update process without an operating system running on the system. More

information about this tool is available at the following website:

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

Tip: The Windows Server installation process using IBM ServerGuide will perform IBM

driver updates after the operating system installation has completed. You can obtain this

tool from the following website:

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

Tip: IBM UpdateXpress is a tool that allows the IBM System x firmware and drivers to be

updated through the operating system. More information about this tool is available at the

following website:

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

Vendor Product Address Available support

IBM Systems Support http://ibm.com/systems/support/ Documentation, firmware, driver

IBM ServerGuide http://ibm.com/support/entry/portal/docdisp

lay?lndocid=SERV-GUIDE

Installation tool

IBM UpdateXpress http://ibm.com/support/entry/portal/docdisp

lay?lndocid=SERV-XPRESS

Firmware and driver update tool

IBM Bootable Media

Creator

http://ibm.com/support/entry/portal/docdisp

lay?lndocid=TOOL-BOMC

Firmware update tool

Microsoft Windows Server http://support.microsoft.com/ph/14134 Documentation, driver, and OS

update