Updating NIC firmware on ESXi host remotely

Question

I'm looking to update NIC firmware on a Poweredge R630 that is being used as an ESXi host. I would like to do this remotely preferably from he iDRAC which sounds like it can be done based on this article: <ADMIN NOTE: Broken link has been removed from this post by Dell>. Problem is it seems like the iDRAC only takes .EXE files and I am not seeing a .EXE for the ESXi update. I just see an .EXE for Windows. What file should I use to do the update? Also, this host is completely cut off from the internet so I cannot use any kind of online source. I have to download the file manually.

DELL-Shine K · Answer

You need to download the .EXE file by selecting Windows and use that in iDRAC. Update using iDRAC is OS agnostics and it will take EXE file only. So you can upload windows .EXE file to iDRAC even if OS is ESXi. You can refer link for more details

https://www.dell.com/support/kbdoc/en-in/000134013/dell-poweredge-update-the-firmware-of-single-system-components-remotely-using-the-idrac

bricar · Answer

Thank you. I extracted both the .EXE and the .zip file for ESXi and the files that look to be what would be installed were a bit different so it made me confused. Plus the readme of the .EXE said to use the ESXi package for ESXi. But I think they were referring to if you were actually updating from ESXi Cli. Looking around at random posts on message boards some people did mention using Windows .EXE files to update firmware on ESXi hosts. So all this info seemed a bit confusing. Thank you for clarifying.

Origin3k · Answer

There was never? a OS dependent version of a FW package when it comes to patching trough a iDRAC. The iDRAC is OS agnostic.
Think about a new fresh system which ships without a OS preinstalled

This is different when it comes to FW patching trough the OS. Compared to other Vendors dell offer less version than the other(speaking of vSphere ESXi).

In the old days the iDRAC can only patch it self.

If you have more than one PowerEdge. Look to OME 3.x which is a vSphere Appliance and run as a VM. It can inventory your devices and can apply FW to your PowerEdge Servers in the way you request
If you boot your system into the LCC you can upgrade FW as well if you have connect to the internet
The iDrac also should upgrade all FW if you select "HTTPS" and apply dl.dell.com as Adress(not sure if this was already available in 13Gen. (i think it was)). You need connect to the internet
On dell.com/support you can find a "plattform iso" for your R630 which can be boot through the iDRAC virtual cdrom and starts a linux based system in an automaticly manner and apply all FW

Regards,
Joerg

PowerEdge Hardware General

Updating NIC firmware on ESXi host remotely

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