IBM HS40 manual Firmware updates, Configuring the Gigabit Ethernet controllers

Firmware updates

IBM will periodically make firmware updates available for your blade server. Use the following table to determine the methods you can use to install these firmware updates.

				Management-
	Update		Update	module	Switch-module	Switch-module
Firmware	diskette	RDM	Xpress	Web interface	Web interface	Telnet interface
Blade server	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No	No
BIOS code
Blade server	Yes	Yes 1	Yes	No	No	No
diagnostic code
Blade server	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No
service processor
code

1 You must set up a custom task.

Important: To avoid problems and to maintain proper system performance, always make sure that the blade server BIOS code, service processor firmware, and diagnostic firmware levels are consistent for all blade servers within the BladeCenter unit.

The service processor in your blade server provides the following features:

vContinuous health monitoring and control

vConfigurable notification and alerts

vEvent logs that are timestamped, saved in nonvolatile memory, and can be attached to e-mail alerts

vRemote graphics console redirection

vPoint-to-point protocol (PPP) support

vRemote power control

vRemote firmware update and access to critical server settings

vAround-the-clock access to the blade server, even if the server is turned off

At some time, you might need to flash the service processor to apply the latest firmware. Download the latest firmware for your blade server service processor from the IBM Support Web site at http://www.ibm.com/pc/support/. Use the BladeCenter

management-module Web interface to flash the service processor. The Web interface is described in the IBM Eserver BladeCenter Type 8677 Installation and User’s Guide on the IBM BladeCenter Documentation CD and IBM Eserver

BladeCenter T Types 8720 and 8730 Installation and User’s Guide on the IBM

BladeCenter T Documentation CD.

Configuring the Gigabit Ethernet controllers

Four Ethernet controllers are integrated on the blade server system board. Each controller provides a 1000-Mbps full-duplex interface for connecting to one of the Ethernet-compatible switch modules in I/O-module bays 1 and 2, which enables simultaneous transmission and reception of data on the Ethernet local area network (LAN). Each Ethernet controller on the system board is routed to a different switch module in I/O-module bay 1 or bay 2. The routing from Ethernet controller to I/O-module bay will vary according to blade server type and the operating system

Chapter 2. Configuring the blade server 17