ways to update iDRAC9 firmware?

Question

tired to search articles and documents but not sure about all the possible methods to update iDRAC firmware, especially after disaster.

Currently I got poweredge R740 server with iDRAC9.

The easiest way I know to update iDRAC9 firmware is via the WEB UI. So simple.

What if disaster happens? Such as a brutal power cut during iDRAC update?

The document (p.45)said that "If the iDRAC firmware update is interrupted, you may have to wait up to 30 minutes before attempting another firmwareupdate."

But my question is, if the iDRAC web UI can no longer be accessed after the disaster described above, will the SSH + RACADM cli work to update iDRAC?

Or maybe "racadm racreset soft -f"/"racadm recreset hard -f" is powerful enough to recover the iDRAC back to normal?

BTW,

is it doable to update/recover iDRAC firmware from BIOS?

Thanks in advance. Hope these doubts are not too stupid...

DELL-Shine K · Accepted Answer

iDRAC Tools supported on ESXi also. You can download supported iDRAC Tools from below link. Type "iDRAC Tools" is keyword and select correct operating system from drop down menu.

https://www.dell.com/support/home/en-in/product-support/product/poweredge-r740/drivers

You can try unplugging & insert power cord. We seen it is fixing the problem most of the time. It is also depend on type of failure. Issue can persist If there are corruptions on the H/W itself.

DELL-Shine K · Answer

Below are some trouble shooting steps which can be performed when iDRAC is not working properly

Check with other interfaces like SSH, Remote racadm and see iDRAC is responding with these interfaces
Try to access iDRAC from operating system using Local Racadm
Perform reboot of iDRAC. You can refer below link for various options to reboot iDRAC

https://www.dell.com/support/kbdoc/en-in/000126703/how-to-reset-the-internal-dell-remote-access-controller-idrac-on-a-poweredge-server#:~:text=Reset%20using%20iDRAC%20Web%20interface&text=Click%20the%20Maintenance%20tab.,iDRAC%20to%20reset%20the%20iDRAC.&text=Alternately%2C%20click%20Reset%20iDRAC%20to,iDRAC%20to%20the%20default%20settings.

During Boot go to F2 "System Setup -> iDRAC Settings" and try to reset iDRAC with default setting
AC power cycle the server by removing power cable from the server wait for 2 to 3 minutes and insert power cable

klancy · Answer

Hi Shine,

nice answer!

allow me to confirm the details please.

You mentioned "Try to access iDRAC from operating system using Local Racadm", does this mean i can use iDRAC tools on my ESXi(which is intalled on server), to perform troubleshoot/update for the iDRAC even its IP is unreachable?

Btw, is it possible to fix iDRAC with just unplugging & insert power cord???

PowerEdge Hardware General

ways to update iDRAC9 firmware?

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