Unable to rollback IDAC 9 4.40.00.00

Question

I am unable to Rollback IDAC 9 4.40.00.00 to an older 2.2x version. Is there a workaround? I tried both using the web interface and using Lifecycle controller (F10) rollback options.

The reason to want to downgrade is because the 4.40 does not allow fan control that makes the Dell Poweredge T640 unusable. We didn't intend to buy a jet but a small office server.

DELL-Shine K · Answer

2.XX firmware is not supported on T640. 3.11.11.11 is the oldest firmware which is supported for T640. It is not recommended to downgrade iDRAC firmware as it may result in undesired behavior.

Wondim · Answer

That is noted. However, that is the previous version installed. I couldn't install iDrac v3.30.30.30. Hopefully there is a solution for this.

The image below shows the error that happens when it fails to rollback.

Wondim · Answer

Sorry it is my mistake. The version I am trying to rollback to is 3.21.21.21, A00.

DELL-Shine K · Answer

Not sure why downgrade is failing to 3.21.21.21. Can you check lifecycle logs on iDRAC to see whether there is any more details on failure. You can also try to flash 3.21.21.21 using iDRAC GUI and see whether it is successful.

Wondim · Answer

This is what I got when rolling back from the web interface.

2021-01-28 15:27:42	USR0030	Successfully logged in using root, from 192.168.0.1 and GUI.
		2021-01-28 15:25:47	RAC0181	The iDRAC recovered from a firmware boot loader error with the following reason : Boot-time failover.
		2021-01-28 15:25:46	DIS002	Auto Discovery feature disabled.
		2021-01-28 15:25:45	RAC0182	The iDRAC firmware was rebooted with the following reason: user initiated.
		2021-01-28 15:25:42	ISM0007	The iDRAC Service Module communication with iDRAC has ended.

This is when I did it via Lifecycle Controller (F10).

2021-01-28 07:44:27	IPA0100	The iDRAC IP Address changed from 0.0.0.0 to 192.168.0.120.
		2020-11-30 17:25:14	PSU0800	Power Supply 1: Status = 0x1, IOUT = 0x0, VOUT= 0x0, TEMP= 0x0, FAN = 0x0, INPUT= 0x0.
		2021-01-28 07:42:06	RED035	IDRAC Rollback successful. Earlier version:4.40.00.00, Current version:3.21.21.21.
		2021-01-28 07:42:06	JCP037	The (installation or configuration) job JID_118413262633 is successfully completed.
		2021-01-28 07:42:06	RED054	An update job JID_118413262633 was created.
		2021-01-28 07:42:06	JCP027	The (installation or configuration) job JID_118413262633 is successfully created on iDRAC.
		2021-01-28 07:42:06	RED052	Processing of update packages is starting.

DELL-Young E · Answer

Hi @ DELL-Shine K and Wondim,

If downgrading is not a recommended behavior, how about the idea of applying Recovering? What do you think?

Recovering iDRAC

iDRAC supports two operating system images to make sure a bootable iDRAC. In the event of an unforeseen catastrophic error and you lose both boot paths:

iDRAC bootloader detects that there is no bootable image.
System Health and Identify LED is flashed at ~1/2 second rate. (LED is located on the back of a rack and tower servers and on the front of a blade server.)
Bootloader is now polling the SD card slot.
Format an SD card with FAT using a Windows operating system, or EXT3 using a Linux operating system.
Copy firmimg.d9 to the SD card.
Insert the SD card into the server.
Bootloader detects the SD card, turns the flashing LED to solid amber, reads the firmimg.d9, reprograms iDRAC, and then reboots iDRAC.

DELL-Shine K · Answer

Instead of performing roll back can you try flashing iDRAC FW again using iDRAC GUI?

Power & Cooling

Unable to rollback IDAC 9 4.40.00.00

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