Updating Firmware and Drivers on Dell PowerEdge Servers

This page explains the difference between drivers and firmware and how to update them on Dell PowerEdge Servers using different methods.

Firmware and drivers may be updated on a Dell PowerEdge using several different methods. For more information, reference What are the different methods to update a PowerEdge? For more information about what drivers and firmware are and what they do, reference What is the difference between drivers and firmware?

What are the different methods to update a PowerEdge?

There are multiple different methods for updating your PowerEdge server. The different methods are outlined in this section.

Manual method for updating individual components

• Dell Update Packages (DUP)
  Using the Dell Update Packages (DUP) is an easy and quick way to update the firmware or drivers of the entire system or individual system components. A DUP is an executable which contains firmware for a single component. For more information, reference Update a Dell PowerEdge Driver or Firmware Directly from the OS (Windows and Linux).

Updating all system components simultaneously

• Rufus
  Rufus can be used to create a custom-built bootable ISO using Dell Repository Manager. This is a way of updating all server firmware in one single step. An ISO can be transferred on a bootable USB storage device. For more information, reference How to Create a Bootable USB Device with Rufus to Update Dell Servers.
• Dell Server Update Utility (SUU)
  The Dell Server Update Utility ISO (SUU) is a local one-to-one utility to update BIOS, firmware, drivers, and application on PowerEdge servers to the latest version. The SUU also allows comparison between the current versions that are installed on the server and the most up-to-date versions available. Select the components in need of updating and upon confirmation, SUU orchestrates the deployment of the selected updates. For more information, reference Dell Server Update Utility (SUU) - Guide and Download.
• Dell Lifecycle Controller
  Dell Lifecycle Controller is an advanced embedded systems management technology that enables remote server management. Using Dell Lifecycle Controller, you can update the firmware using a local or Dell-based firmware repository. For more information, reference PowerEdge Server: LifeCycle Controller Update.

Updating multiple select system components

• Dell Repository Manager (DRM)
  An update management tool used to assist with the identification, gathering, and packaging of Dell Update Packages (DUPs) into a format to be used for deployment. For more information, reference Dell Repository Manager (DRM).
• Dell System Update (DSU)
  Dell System Update is a command-line interface optimized deployment tool that assists customers who prefer to manage the deployment of updates in a scripted manner. For more information, reference DELL System Update (DSU).
• Integrated Dell Remote Access Controller (iDRAC)
  An embedded systems management tool that is available on PowerEdge servers. With iDRAC, you can remote into a system to perform many systems management tasks, including updating of firmware. Some additional features may require the iDRAC Enterprise license. For more information, reference How to Update Firmware Remotely Using the Integrated Dell Remote Access Controller (iDRAC) Web Interface.

Console-based methods for updating multiple components

• OpenManage Enterprise
  OpenManage Enterprise systems management console is designed to simplify, intelligently automate and unify IT infrastructure management tasks. One of these tasks is the update of multiple components. For more information, reference How To Create a Firmware Baseline and Update Firmware in Dell EMC OpenManage Enterprise (OME).
• VMware vCenter
  Performing Firmware updates for clusters - For more information, reference Firmware Updates for Clusters Using the OpenManage Integration for VMware vCenter.
• Microsoft System Center (MSSC)
  Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM) also known as ConfigMgr and formerly known as Systems Management Server (SMS) is a systems management software product developed by Microsoft for managing large groups of systems running Windows NT, Windows Embedded, macOS (Mac OS X), Linux, or UNIX. Configuration Manager provides remote control, patch management, software distribution, operating system deployment, network access protection, and hardware and software inventory. For more information, reference Microsoft Configuration Manager documentation

Updating firmware and drivers using DevOps tools

• Ansible
  Ansible is an open-source software provisioning, configuration management, and application-deployment tool. It runs on many UNIX like systems and can configure both UNIX like systems and Microsoft Windows. For more information, reference Ansible Resources

What is the difference between drivers and firmware?

On a server, you can update drivers and firmware.

• A device driver is a particular form of a software application that is designed to enable interaction with hardware devices. Without the required device driver, the corresponding hardware device fails to work. Device drivers are operating system-specific and hardware-dependent. It acts as a translator between the hardware device and the programs or operating systems that use it.
• Firmware is a software program permanently etched into a hardware device such as keyboards, hard drive, BIOS, or video cards. It is programmed to give permanent instructions to communicate with other devices and perform functions like basic I/O tasks. Firmware is typically stored in the flash ROM (read-only memory) of a hardware device. Firmware can be erased and rewritten. Keep a server up to date is important to have the best interoperability between operating system and server, and avoid issues. To better understand the changes implemented by firmware, it is advised to read the associated Release Notes.