iDRAC 7/8 cannot download firmware updates via LifeCycle (LCC) using online catalog

Yes, we are aware of issues with the latest iDRAC firmware update 2.63.60.61. If you want to discuss issues with that firmware update then please post in the thread about it. This is the first I have heard about problems with the update on iDRAC8. I just passed along the information about the console issues on iDRAC8 with the update.

https://www.dell.com/community/PowerEdge-Hardware-General/T320-iDRAC7-2-63-60-61-LCC-F10-black-screen/td-p/7294345

2.63.60.61 was released to add the HTTPS feature which would allow iDRAC7/8 to use the online catalog. As already mentioned, there are issues with that firmware update. We will likely be pulling that update from the drivers and download site and releasing a firmware update at a later time to add that feature.

Thanks

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@mpeene wrote:

Some additional information:

R430: Virtual console keyb/mouse input also didn't work anymore. Reverted iDRAC back to 2.62.60.60. Virtual console and LC working fine again!

R630: same problem, reverted iDRAC back to 2.61.60.60

But at least I got my firmware updates done during the time it was on 2.63... 

Michiel.

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We are still unable to reproduce any issues with the iDRAC8. Please verify the issues are with R430, R630 and not R420, R620. If you are experiencing issues with iDRAC8 on firmware 2.63.60.61 then please post in the firmware issues thread with as much detail as you can to help us reproduce the issues.

At this time we are only planning to remove the update from the iDRAC7 system download pages since we are unable to find issues with iDRAC8.

Thanks

Trying to update all firmware on my PE R520 using ftp.dell.com but not able to reach that site.  Getting IP, can ping gateway and DNS but not able to download firware VIA lifecycle controller.  Any idea's?

Thanks!

@DELL-Daniel My >

Daniel,

I've found the problem with firmware 2.63 and the R430 and R630 servers: after upgrading the firmware, the "keyboard/mouse attach state" of the virtual console was set to "detached" in stead of "attached" or "auto-attach".

Took me a while to find out this was the problem, and I'm sure it was not set this way before the upgrade, cause I'm using them all the time.

So I can confirm that the Lifecycle controller is working with the latest firmware, but the issue was with the virtual console keyboard/mouse attach state.

Michiel.

Thank you for the additional information @mpeene .

I passed along your post to the team working on this issue. We have updated several iDRAC8 systems and not experienced this issue, but we are going to look into it further.

Thanks again

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@mpeene wrote:

Daniel,

I've found the problem with firmware 2.63 and the R430 and R630 servers: after upgrading the firmware, the "keyboard/mouse attach state" of the virtual console was set to "detached" in stead of "attached" or "auto-attach".

Took me a while to find out this was the problem, and I'm sure it was not set this way before the upgrade, cause I'm using them all the time.

So I can confirm that the Lifecycle controller is working with the latest firmware, but the issue was with the virtual console keyboard/mouse attach state.

Michiel.

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I think I ran into this problem too, and I was able to solve it by selecting "Power Cycle System (cold boot)" from the iDRAC Quick Launch Tasks menu.

Ok this is stupid.

I have a rack of R730's and ALL of them are having the same issue as noted above by others.

I tried both IP and neither works (You get the catalog but fails to download the updates).

We do NOT have the luxury to use a Windows Install to run a manual update (We Run VMware ESX). 

How can Dell get away with this? you guys have completely broken your FTP Site and no one is able to update (Especially at a critical time where companies are updating for Spectre and Zero-Day)

Get your act together and fix this. Absolutely unacceptable for for a quarter million dollars of Enterprise equipment.

EDIT:

I read the locked thread telling everyone to go to http://downloads.dell.com or https://downloads.dell.com and neither of those work.

If you try and place it in FTP field it fails and if you place it in HTTP download type then it fails also.

COME ON GUYS THIS IS INSANE.

Come on Dell!!!

This is unacceptable. In the time that companies are firmware updating for Spectre and Zero-Day you go and completely break your firmware update process.

I have a rack full of R730's and NONE of them can update. All are having the same issue as the others have seen.

Nothing works (ftp.dell.com / downloads.dell.com or /catalog at the downloads.dell.com

ftp.dell.com gets the catalog file just fine but when you actually go to update it says it can not find the update files.

ABSOLUTELY UNACCEPTABLE.

I agree with the other person... Next Refresh it is time to look at HP because they do not break such a critical thing for no good reason.

Come on Dell!!!

I have a rack full of R730's and all of them are having this issue.

I can get the catalog from ftp.dell.com but the downloads can not be found if you apply the updates.

This is unacceptable for a Quarter Million dollars of hardware. We run VMware ESX and do not have the luxury for half a day downtime to fix a single server doing a windows install just to run a single update.

Time to look at HP again for our next refresh... when companies are updating for Spectre and Zero-Day Dell goes and completely breaks it's firmware update system.

UNACCEPTABLE.

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@XSavior wrote:

I have a rack full of R730's and all of them are having this issue.

I can get the catalog from ftp.dell.com but the downloads can not be found if you apply the updates.

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Hello

Our catalogs are now set to HTTPS only. You need to install the latest firmware for the iDRAC/LCC on the R730 before you can use our online catalog. The latest firmware update adds the HTTPS feature to the iDRAC7/8. You should be able to find more information in the threads that you replied.

Thanks

Daniel, the complaint is that Dell employees broke the Dell FTP site that provides updates to Dell customers when, for many Dell systems (PowerEdge 12G and 13G), FTP was the only mechanism available for installing updates via the LifeCycle controller.

Moving to HTTPs is fine, but there needs to be a transition period. Many customers just purchased a 13G server and could not update it using the LifeCycle controller because the FTP site was down and the 13G LifeCycle controller only supported FTP. I agree with @XSavior that this was a completely unacceptable problem, an unacceptable response by Dell, and completely unacceptable support throughout the past 3 months.

If this process had been intelligently planned, the 12G/13G systems would have supported HTTPs before the FTP server was retired. As a Dell customer, I'd like to see this period be at least 1+ years so that folks on a regular update cycle have a chance to update before their update mechanism is broken.

I am also having this issue on a R620. How do you suggest we upgrade the LCC? I am trying a few different ways but can't get it to work. This is extremely inconvenient and a waste of our time!

New update for the LCC was released just before memorial day that fixes this issue.  Update your iDRAC/LCC first, then try to update via ftp