Installing firmware using the USB port on the service processor on a system that is not managed by a management console

Learn how to use the universal serial bus (USB) port to install server firmware on the service processor when the system is not responding.

Install firmware by using the USB port only on the service processor if you are directed to do so by your next level of support, by an isolation procedure, or after exchanging the service processor assembly.

Downloading the server firmware fix and copying it to a USB flash drive

Learn how to download the server firmware fix to a computer or server with an Internet connection, and copy it to a USB flash drive.

Note: The following instructions are applicable to the generic USB flash drive without any added software.

To download the fix and to copy it to a USB flash drive, complete the following steps:

From a computer or server with an Internet connection, go to the Fix Central.
From the Product Group list, select Power.
From the Product list, select your Machine Type-Model.
From the Select from Machine Type-Model list, select the required fix and click Continue.
Follow the on-screen prompts to download the fix file.
Verify that your USB flash drive is formatted to FAT32. If it is not formatted, choose one of the following tasks based on your operating system:
- For Microsoft Windows operating system:
  1. Plug your USB flash drive into the USB slot of your server or computer. A message is displayed indicating that the operating system recognizes the drive and it is ready to use.
  2. Double-click My Computer, and then right-click the appropriate device drive.
  3. Select Format. The Format Removable Disk dialogue box is displayed.
  4. Ensure that the File system field displays FAT32 and the Quick Format check box is cleared. All other fields remain in their default setting.
  5. Click Start.
    Attention: A warning message is displayed indicating that the format action erases all of the data in the flash memory. Click OK to allow the process to continue.
  6. Click OK when the action is complete.
- For Linux operating system:
  1. Plug your USB flash drive into the USB slot of your server or computer.
  2. In the terminal window or console session, type df and press Enter. This lists all the mounted storage devices.
  3. From the listed mounted storage devices, find the path where the USB flash drive is mounted.
  4. Type umount <mounted_path> and press Enter to unmount the USB flash drive.
  5. Type /sbin/mkdosfs -F32 -I <filesystem_path> to format the USB flash drive.
Insert the blank, formatted USB flash drive into the USB port on the server or computer where you copied the RPM file. A message is displayed informing you that the operating system recognizes the drive and it is ready to use.
Copy the RPM file to the USB flash drive.
To remove the USB flash drive safely, double-click the Safely Remove Hardware icon in the lower right corner of the screen.
Note: The Safely Remove Hardware icon is a slanted green arrow over a box.
Follow the prompts to remove the USB flash drive.
Continue with Installing the server firmware on the service processor assembly through an USB port.

Installing the server firmware on the service processor assembly through an USB port

To install the server firmware on the service processor assembly through an USB port, complete the following steps:

Important: Do not interrupt this process after you begin.

Ensure that the server is in the service processor standby state. The service processor standby state is indicated when the server is powered off, and when the power-on LED on the control panel is flashing slowly.
Insert the USB flash drive into one the following USB ports:
One of the two black USB ports (P1-C1-Tx) on the rear of a rack-mounted or stand-alone system.
Note: The blue USB 3.0 ports are for logical partition.

For additional information, see the Location Codes section in your host model's service guide.

The firmware level is loaded automatically. The level of firmware on the USB flash drive will be installed on both the P and T sides of the service processor assembly.
The following checkpoints are posted on the control (operator) panel during the installation of the firmware:
- C100B100: The firmware image is being unpacked.
- C100B101: The firmware image is being installed on a side of the flash.
- C100B102: The firmware image is being installed on the other side of the flash.
- C100B103: The firmware installation has been completed successfully.
  Notes:
  - After inserting the USB flash drive, the initial checkpoint code might take about 5 minutes to display on the control panel, and might be displayed for about 10 minutes.
  - After the initial checkpoint is passed, the secondary checkpoint code might take about 5 minutes to display on the control panel, and might be displayed for about 10 minutes.
  - The final checkpoint code might be displayed on the control panel for about 10 seconds.
  Note: If a C100B104 code is displayed, the firmware installation has failed. Perform the following steps:
  1. Ensure that the USB flash drive contains the firmware fix. If necessary, copy the firmware to the USB flash drive again.
  2. Retry the task with another USB flash drive.
  3. If necessary, replace the service processor assembly.
After checkpoint C100B103 is displayed on the control panel, you can safely remove the USB flash drive.
Continue with Verifying the firmware installation.

Verifying the firmware installation

To verify that the firmware has been installed correctly, complete the following steps:

Access the ASMI and view the level of server firmware displayed in the upper-right corner below the copyright statement on the Welcome pane.
Verify that the level of server firmware that is displayed is the level that you installed.
If the level of server firmware that is displayed is not the level that you installed, retry installing the firmware using another USB flash drive. If the problem persists, contact your next level of support.

Last updated: Thu, October 15, 2020