Upgrade Dell PowerFlex to v3.6.x

Upgrading the firmware using the iDRAC virtual console

The iDRAC Virtual KVM console and Virtual CDROM features, provided by the iDRAC Enterprise license, eliminate the need for physical access to the VxFlex Ready Node servers. The Hardware ISO can be attached as a remote/Virtual CDROM image and configured to perform hardware updates to the VxFlex Ready Node firmware.

1. Configure a laptop with access to the iDRAC network.
2. Download the VxFlex Ready Node Hardware Update Bootable ISO from the VxFlex Ready Node page and make it accessible on the network share folder.
3. Connect to the iDRAC Virtual KVM console.
   For instructions, see the topic relevant for your server: Open the KVM console - R630/R730xd servers or Open the KVM console - VxFlex Ready Node R640/R740xd servers.
4. Attach the Hardware ISO to Virtual Media.
   1. From the Virtual Media menu, select Connect Virtual Media.
   2. From the Virtual Media menu, select Map CD/DVD.
   3. Click Browse, and select the Hardware ISO.
5. From the Next Boot menu, select Virtual CD/DVD/ISO and configure the Next Boot option so that the server will boot to the iDRAC Virtual CDROM.
6. Power-cycle the server using the appropriate Power menu option, and allow the server to boot to the virtual media.
7. Repeat steps 3 to 6 for each VxFlex Ready Node server that requires BIOS or firmware updates and configuration. All VxFlex Ready Node servers can be updated in parallel.
8. When the updates are completed, refresh the iDRAC browser screen, log in to the iDRAC, and re-launch the virtual console as needed.
9. Wait for the configuration and firmware updates to complete. The server console screen will indicate when the script is complete.
   WARNING:Do not reboot the VxFlex Ready Node server while the update process is being performed!

   The iDRAC will be reset several times during the update process. This causes the iDRAC virtual console viewer to close, virtual media to disconnect, and the iDRAC browser window to be unavailable for several minutes during each reset. The hardware update scripts will continue to run from RAM on the server.

   The update script will generate a log indicating whether each configuration and firmware flash is successful.

10. (Optional) Check each VxFlex Ready Node server's log for successful competition:
    1. After the update script completes, press Alt+F2 to access a user console, and then Enter to log in.
    2. Check the log contents for errors:

       less /bundleapplicationlogs/apply_components.log

       For more information, see Troubleshooting the Hardware ISO .

    3. Press q to exit the log viewer, and then Alt+F1 to access the original console screen.
11. Reboot the VxFlex Ready Node server and allow the update and configuration jobs to complete. Power-cycle the server using the appropriate Power menu option.