iDRAC9 BIOS update fails - not enough memory (RED008, 032, 096)

Question

Hopefully someone can help. I have been looking for 2 days on how to resolve this issue. We are stuck trying to update the BIOS on a R640 via iDRAC 9. The update keeps failing for not enough memory on the iDRAC. Lifecycle logs show the following every time we try and update the BIOS:

RED096 iDRAC flash storage has reached its upper limits. Rollback will no longer be supported for this component.
RED032 Reached maximum size limit allowed for storing firmware images. Deleted all rollback firmware images.
RED008 Unable to extract payloads from Update Package.

This is after multiple attempts to update the BIOS. I was able to process a lifecycle update that was significantly larger without issue. We have tried powering off and unplugging the server to clear any temp ramdisks or flash memory. I have seen references to a way to reset or clear the iDRAC memory via a "Retire or repurpose" option, but it does not appear to be available in the iDRAC 9 version. This BIOS update processed just fine on 3 other R640 chassis. Is this possibly and issue with the iDRAC 9 itself or is there a way to clear all the memory on the iDRAC without a full iDRAC reset?

Stuart_Rowe · Answer

iDRAC is on 5.10.30.201, same as the other 3 systems that updated just fine. Thanks for the link, that is one page i hadn't found yet. I'll see if pulling the update from dell.com works.

prandal · Answer

What's your iDRAC version?

My guess is that the update package isn't compatible with your iDRAC firmware, so you'll need to update that first.

A similar issue was reported here: https://www.ispcolohost.com/2020/04/06/hardware-updates-with-dell-idrac-9-from-dells-live-repository/

DELL-Shine K · Answer

You need to clear Lifecycle Controller related data by using the 'Repurpose or Retire System' features. Refer below link for more details <Dell link is no longer available. DELL-Admin>

Stuart_Rowe · Answer

I found multiple references to this procedure, however it appears to be an out of date article. I cannot find that option anywhere in the iDRAC 9 settings.

DELL-Shine K · Answer

This option will be available Lifecycle Controller and  to enter Lifecycle controller you need to press F10 during Boot.

Stuart_Rowe · Answer

Unfortunately even after clearing the lifecycle cache, I still get the same errors and are unable to upgrade the BIOS from 2.13.3 to 2.14.2.

prandal · Answer

I'd try to update the iDRAC to 5.10.50 https://www.dell.com/support/home/en-uk/drivers/driversdetails?driverid=rttph&oscode=wst14&productcode=poweredge-r640 Cheers, Phil

Stuart_Rowe · Answer

This one is a real bugbear. Updated the iDRAC to 5.10.50 and STILL can't update the BIOS, whether from a local file or from the repository. Same errors as originally.

It almost seems like there might be an issue with the iDRAC itself?

DELL-Shine K · Answer

Can you update iDRAC to 6.00.02.00 and check the behavior. You can download 6.00.02.00 iDRAC firmware from below link. https://www.dell.com/support/home/en-us/drivers/driversdetails?driverid=jg4fk

Stuart_Rowe · Answer

What does the iDRAC use for its storage for upgrades, RAMdisk? There is no SD card present in the server, so does that mean the iDRAC has on board storage? Even with the newer iDRAC software (5.10.50) what would cause the iDRAC to keep triggering a storage space issue? Is there any other way to see and free up the space used by the iDRAC?

Stuart_Rowe · Answer

Unfortunately your suggestion does not address the root issue I am working on. Additionally, the system is not running Windows, but rather VMware ESXi.

DELL-Charles R · Answer

Hello Stuart_Rowe,

In the DRAC on the System Update; Do you have a BIOS in the RollBack that you can use?

You might contact support directly and an engineer can do a remote session with you. The forum is not set up for that type engagement.

Stuart_Rowe · Answer

There is still a rollback idrac firmware and BIOS version listed.

Is there a reason there is not a way to clear the used storage via the idrac interface (webUI or RACADM)? This seems like it should be a fundamental operation available to the user.

Stuart_Rowe · Answer

Next thought is to reset the iDRAC (preserving users/IP settings), however I don't want to lose any storage or other configuration settings. The documentation I have found so far isn't fully clear if an iDRAC reset can be performed without affecting current server operations.

DELL-Charles R · Answer

Hello Stuart_Rowe,   Reset all iDRAC's configurations to default, and preserve the user and network settings.   racadm racresetcfg -f

Systems Management General

iDRAC9 BIOS update fails - not enough memory (RED008, 032, 096)

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