Home > Servers > Specialty Servers > White Papers > Getting Started Guide: Firmware Updates on the Dell PowerEdge AI Servers > Methods for performing firmware updates
The Dell AI PowerEdge servers support firmware updates through several methods:
Method | Description | Recommendation | Frequency | Time | Level of Effort | Resource |
Utilize the iDRAC web interface for seamless remote firmware updates. Upload and apply updates with ease. | Quick remote access | As needed, typically after significant updates or security patches | Low | Low | ||
OpenManage Enterprise (OME) | OME can discover, report, download & apply update applicable firmware updates Customised repositories can also be used ask source for update library. Updates can be applied manual/immediately or scheduled for multiple servers | Data centre wide. Best option for quick updates on a large quatity of systems
| Continuously, checks for updates automatically
| Low | Low | |
Install OMSA within the server OS for comprehensive firmware management. Update firmware seamlessly from the OS. | Detailed OS management. Note: OMSA reaches its End of development Life status during 2024. However, OMSA is supported until the End of Support Life until 2027 | Regularly, especially in environments with frequent updates | Medium | Low | ||
Craft a personalized repository through DRM. Deploy updates using a bootable ISO or directly through iDRAC. | Custom repository management | Periodically, based on firmware and driver release schedules | Medium | Low | ||
Automate firmware updates, ensuring your server remains up-to-date effortlessly. | Best for automation | Continuously, checks for updates automatically | Low | Medium | ||
Employ racadm commands using iDRAC SSH or console for efficient updates. Use Dell System Update for Linux distributions. | Efficient for command-line users | As needed, based on specific firmware updates | Low | High | ||
Create bootable USB drives or CDs with firmware updates. Apply updates offline to maintain server functionality. | Useful for offline updates. Can be enabled and disabled seamlessly by admins. | Occasionally, when other methods aren't feasible or for major updates | High | High | ||
Integrate firmware updates into OSD procedures using tools like SCCM or VMware vSphere Update Manager. | Seamless integration | Based on deployment schedules and system refresh cycles | Medium | High |
Note: The updates for the iDRAC method occur four times a year, two of which are for the enablement of the platform while the rest are new feature-enabling. June and December are typically the feature-enabling months.
The Information tag shown in Figure 3 is a slide-out label panel that contains system information such as the Service Tag, NIC, MAC address, and so on. This information is required to deploy updates.
These methods offer flexibility depending on your environment, whether it’s managed in-band through the operating system, out-of-band using remote management tools, or offline through bootable media.