Upgrade BIOS and idrac9 firmware version

Hi,

Although, there are no restrictions to direct update to the newest version from the current, I usually recommend doing the update incrementally and parallel, but there are also risks that the amount of times in repeated process, there is a sudden power outage that lead to corrupted update. 

If you were to update the firmware straight to the latest, you will need to update the iDRAC first before updating the BIOS. 

@DELL-Joey C​ 

Thank you for the response. can we do this below steps doing the update incrementally and parallel.

1. Before starting the update process, ensure you have the latest firmware update files from Dell's official website.

2. Download the appropriate BIOS and iDRAC firmware update files for your specific Dell server or device.

3. Begin by updating the BIOS firmware first:

   • Connect to the iDRAC interface of your Dell server using a web browser.
   • Navigate to the "iDRAC Settings" or "System Update" section.
   • Locate the option to update the BIOS firmware and select the firmware update file you downloaded.
   • Follow the on-screen instructions to initiate the BIOS firmware update process.

4. While the BIOS firmware update is in progress, you can simultaneously update the iDRAC firmware:

   • Access the iDRAC interface in a separate window or tab if possible.
   • Navigate to the "iDRAC Settings" or "System Update" section.
   • Choose the iDRAC firmware update option and select the firmware file you downloaded earlier.
   • Proceed with the iDRAC firmware update by following the provided instructions.

5. Monitor both the BIOS and iDRAC firmware update processes to ensure they complete successfully. It's important to avoid powering off the server during the firmware update process.

6. Once both firmware updates have finished, restart the server to apply the changes effectively.

What are the prerequisite and is there any backup need to do ?

According to release notes of iDRAC9 Version 7.00.00.172 Release Notes - I don't find any information on sequence BIOS or idrac version.

Hi,

It is advisable to update iDRAC firmware first, before BIOS. And, you must not update both simultaneously, as the update will request for reboot. When reboot occurs, updates will be interrupted. You must not interrupt updates. Hence, you must update 1 at a time. 

What I meant by parallel update, is that when you update iDRAC to a certain version, you should match the BIOS update to its file date. Say example, if you were to update iDRAC to version 5.00.20.10 Feb 2022; parallel version of BIOS would be 2.13.3 Feb 2022 and move on next of iDRAC update. But this does not matter if you are doing straight update to the latest version. 

There is no documented nor best practice notes about incremental update of BIOS and iDRAC. This is based on my opinion.

There isn't any backup option available for BIOS update. But there is iDRAC Enterprise license to back. https://dell.to/3LyCLKt

@DELL-Joey C​ 

Thank you Joey - My concern here is, will there any impact if I do straight update from 4.40.10.00  to 7.00.00.172 idrac and the BIOS from 2.10.2 to  2.21.2

Do I need to install few other older version first and to match these like security vulnerable release?

Hi, when updating the iDRAC and BIOS, it’s best to avoid jumping directly from a very old version to the latest one. Instead, perform incremental updates. Also, consider updating the iDRAC alongside the BIOS. 

Can you recommend what are the older version that I need to update to reach the latest version of BIOS and idrac., if you could provide the sequence will be more helpful to approach.

Target version : idrac  4.40.10.00  to 7.00.00.172 and the BIOS from 2.10.2 to  2.21.2

NambirajanA,

I would recommend starting with BIOS version 2.11.2 , then iDrac 4.40.40.00, A00 , then BIOS 2.13.3, then iDrac 5.00.20.10, A00 and so on, you don't weant to skip more than a couple BIOS versions at a time, and I would do the iDrac version that coincides with the release date of the BIOS version you just updated to.

Let me know if this helps.

Hi,

Listed out the BIOS and IDRAC version based on the release date. Pls suggest can I do in this sequence one by one and I felt the list is too large., pls check and recommend which one I can Skip.

bios: 2.11.2 07 Jun 2021  

IDRAC: 4.40.40.00, A00  07 Jun 2021

bios: 2.13.3 08 Feb 2022

IDRAC: 5.00.20.10, A00  02 Feb 2022

bios:  2.15.1 09 Aug 2022 

IDRAC: 5.10.30.00, A00 20 Jun 2022

bios: 2.16.1 15 Nov 2022

IDRAC: 6.00.30.00, A00 14 Nov 2022

bios: 2.18.1 09 May 2023

IDRAC: 6.10.80.00, A00 22 May 2023

bios:  2.19.1 08 Aug 2023

IDRAC: 7.00.00.00, A00 26 Jun 2023

I am going to implement this in the business environment shortly..

Hi, this looks good, I think you can apply this.

I am going to start the activity shortly., Will I need to update the Idrac firmware version first, reboot and then BIOS version Or do it in parallel ?

Also which File format do I need to download for Idrac

Hi,

do it step by step and use 

Hi Martin - Thank you for the update. Can I skip this BIOS since I don't find any match close one.

Whether can I install ? just pass on to next available version bios:  2.15.1 09 Aug 2022 /

Hi,

You can use the closest one please but update it step by step by using other version points under drivers.

Sorry Martin, what you mean by the drivers ? I'm doing with the idrac first and the bios next with the reboot sofar, its good. Pls suggest and is the below steps are recommend and it will be any impact to the server.

bios: 2.11.2 07 Jun 2021  

IDRAC: 4.40.40.00, A00  07 Jun 2021

bios: 2.13.3 08 Feb 2022

IDRAC: 5.00.20.10, A00  02 Feb 2022

IDRAC: 5.10.30.00, A00 20 Jun 2022
bios: 2.14.2 09 May 2022

bios:  2.15.1 09 Aug 2022 

IDRAC: 5.10.50.00, A00, A00 29 Aug 2022

bios: 2.16.1 15 Nov 2022

IDRAC: 6.00.30.00, A00 14 Nov 2022

bios: 2.18.1 09 May 2023

IDRAC: 6.10.80.00, A00 22 May 2023

bios:  2.19.1 08 Aug 2023

IDRAC: 7.00.00.00, A00 26 Jun 2023

Do I need to install any drivers ? if so, what was that

That looks fine, but I would recommend that you run the BIOS update before the corresponding iDrac update, as you should start with the BIOS. 

As far as drivers, I agree with you that we should focus on the BIOS and iDrac to start, then look at the raid controller, and then we can look at any OS drivers and such.