Dell Update Packages Version 6.2 User Manual

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Dell™ Update Packages for

Linux Operating Systems

User’s Guide

Notes and Cautions

NOTE: A NOTE indicates important information that helps you make better use of

your computer.

CAUTION: A CAUTION indicates potential damage to hardware or loss of data if

instructions are not followed.

____________________

Reproduction of these materials in any manner whatsoever without the written permission of Dell Inc. is strictly forbidden.

Trademarks used in this text: Dell, the DELL logo, and OpenManage are trademarks of Dell Inc.; Microsoft and Windows are either trademarks or registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries; Intel is a registered trademark of Intel Corporation in the United States and other countries; Red Hat and Red Hat Enterprise Linux are registered trademarks of Red Hat, Inc. in the United States and other countries; SUSE is a registered trademark of Novell, Inc. in the United States and other countries; VMware and ESX Server are registered trademarks or trademarks of VMware, Inc. in the United States and/or other jurisdictions; Citrix and XenServer are either trademarks or registered trademarks of Citrix Systems, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries.

Other trademarks and trade names may be used in this document to refer to either the entities claiming the marks and names or their products. Dell Inc. disclaims any proprietary interest in trademarks and trade names other than its own.

December 2009

Contents

1 Getting Started With Dell

Update Packages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Server Update Utility and DUPs

Update Options

Supported Operating Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

OpenIPMI Requirements

Using DUPs in the DTK Pre-Operating System Environment

Dell-Qualified and Dell-Enabled Packages

Before You Begin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

How to Obtain DUPs from the Dell Support Website

Installation Order of DUPs

Important Tips to Remember for

Using DUPs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Other Documents You May Need . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Obtaining Technical Assistance

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

. . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

. . . . . . . 13

. . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

. . . . . . . . . . . . 16

2 Using Dell Update Packages . . . . . . . . . . 17

Before You Begin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Contents 3

Develop Your System Update Plan . . . . . . . . . 17

Acquiring DUPs

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Update Packages Component and

System Compatibility

Executing DUPs

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Verifying the Digital Signature . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Compatibility Concerns

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Effects of Applying the Updates on a

Running System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Delivering DUPs to Your Systems

Updating Many Systems

. . . . . . . . . . 25

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

Confirming the Update . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

Typical Usage Scenarios. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

Scenario One—Retasking a System

. . . . . . . . 27

Scenario Two — BIOS Update for

200 Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

3 Performing BIOS and Firmware

Updates Using Dell Linux

Online Repository . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

4 Contents

Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

Setting Up/Bootstrapping the Repository

Creating a Local Mirror

Installing Firmware-tools

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

. . . . . . . . 32

Downloading Applicable Firmware . . . . . . . . . . . 33

Inventory Installed Firmware

Updating BIOS and Firmware

Updating BIOS and Firmware Using CLI

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

. . . . . . 34

Updating BIOS and Firmware Using

Graphical User Interface (GUI) . . . . . . . . . . . 36

Automatically Update Firmware

Viewing Log Information

. . . . . . . . . . . . 37

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

4 Update and Rollback in Unified

Server Configurator - Lifecycle

Controller Enabled . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

Update in USC LCE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

Rollback in USC LCE

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

5 Command Line Interface Reference . . . . 41

Using the CLI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

CLI Options

Exit Codes for CLI

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

6 Rebuilding Packages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

Dell-Qualified Path . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

Dell-Enabled Path

Dynamic Kernel Support

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

Determining Whether Your Package Is Supported

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50

Setting Up a Test System for Rebuilding a Package

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51

Contents 5

Scenario. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51

Prerequisites for the Test System

. . . . . . . . . . . . 52

Rebuilding a Package to Add Kernel Support to a Single System

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54

Rebuilding the Package to Add Kernel Support for Multiple Kernel Versions

Scenario

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55

. . . . . . . . . . 54

Deploying Custom Packages Across the Environment

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56

7 Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57

Known Issues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57

Diagnostic Tasks will not run while a DUP reboot is pending

Abnormal termination of a DUP. . . . . . . . . . . 57

Error while loading shared libraries

Insufficient free physical memory to

load the BIOS image . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57

Kernel panic while running storage controller firmware update packages

Loss of functionality while renaming

Linux DUPs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58

Yum and Up2date repository management software caches incorrect repository

metadata . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58

Use Dell Linux Repository with yum and

Red Hat Enterprise Linux version 4 . . . . . . . . . 58

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57

. . . . . . . . 57

. . . . . . . 58

6 Contents

Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59

DUP Message Logs

Messages Log

Messages Log File

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70

Support Log File Example. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70

Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73

Contents 7

8 Contents

Getting Started With Dell Update Packages

Overview

Dell™ Update Packages (DUPs) allow administrators to update a wide range of system components simultaneously and apply scripts to similar sets of Dell systems, to bring system software components up to the same version levels.

By using DUPs, you can perform the following functions:

• Apply an individual update to a system by using an interactive command line interface (CLI)

• Execute multiple updates for your system by using a script comprised of non

interactive commands that you write using the CLI feature

• Leverage your operating system’s scheduling and software distribution utilities to apply updates remotely to any number of servers

Each DUP (Dell Update Package) is designed to update a single software component on your system. This product feature allows you to select and apply the updates that you want for your system, minimizing the resources required to transport the DUP across your network.

DUPs improve your ability to update your systems effectively. For example, each DUP contains pertinent information about when Dell issued the package, which systems the DUP is designed to support, and what functional enhancements are contained in the update or which problems were fixed.

Each DUP contains the execution logic to verify that the update will work on your system. When using DUPs, you are not required to use any Dell OpenManage™ software applications, and you do not have to create alternative media. Each DUP also carries a digital signature to ensure reliable and trusted authentication. See "Verifying the Digital Signature" for more information.

You can use DUPs interactively, which is ideal for applying a limited number of updates. When you execute a package interactively, it first displays a scrollable view of the package release notes. You may view these notes

Getting Started With Dell Update Packages 9

before optionally continuing with the execution of the package. You can also use DUPs in non experienced user, to accommodate large environments with multiple systems, or to process multiple updates per system.

This guide is designed to familiarize you with Linux DUPs so that you can begin applying them to simplify the system software maintenance on your Dell systems. The "Using Dell Update Packages" section of this guide provides several sample scenarios for using DUPs.

-interactive mode to facilitate rapid deployment for an

Server Update Utility and DUPs

Dell OpenManage Server Update Utility (SUU) is a DVD–based application that is used to identify and apply the latest updates to your system. It is a Graphical User Interface (GUI) and a Command Line Interface (CLI) based application. SUU compares the versions of components currently installed on your system with the update components packaged on the Dell Server Updates DVD and then displays a comparison report of the versions and provides the option of updating the components. You can use SUU to update your system or view the updates available for any system listed in the repository. The Dell Server Updates DVD is available as part of the Dell OpenManage subscription service kit.

Linux DUPs can be downloaded from the Dell Support site at

support.dell.com. They are also available in the repository on the Dell Server Updates DVD. The repository folder in the Dell Server Updates DVD

contains Windows and Linux DUPs, Catalog.xml (that contains information about both Windows and Linux DUPs), and the DellSoftwareBundleReport.html. SUU uses DUPs to update the system components.

Update Options

You can update your system components using any one of the following two options:

•

Element Update

(element) to a specific version. Use DUP to perform element updates.

•

System Update

that you use SUU to automatically:

– inventory the Dell firmware and drivers on that system

10 Getting Started With Dell Update Packages

–To update an

–To update all elements on your system. Dell recommends

individual

system software component

– compare the installed configuration with the content on the

Server Updates

– report on discrepancies and recommend updates, including any

prerequisites that may impact the update sequence

– update and (if needed) reboot the system

NOTE: See the Server Update Utility User's Guide available on the Dell Support

website at support.dell.com/manuals, for information on how SUU identifies and applies updates to your entire system.

Figure 1-1 helps you choose between SUU and DUPs when performing updates.

Figure 1-1. Choosing between SUU and DUPs

DVD

Dell

Supported Operating Systems

For a complete list of supported systems and operating systems, see the Dell Systems Software Support Matrix available on the Dell Support website at support.dell.com/manuals. The Dell Systems Software Support Matrix has information about the various Dell systems, the operating systems supported by these systems, and the Dell OpenManage™ components that can be installed on these systems.

OpenIPMI Requirements

Certain DUPs may require the latest OpenIPMI Linux device drivers to be installed on your system. If you are prompted during installation to obtain the latest drivers, see the Dell Support website at support.dell.com, or visit the support site for your Linux operating system to download the latest drivers.

Getting Started With Dell Update Packages 11

Using DUPs in the DTK Pre-Operating System Environment

The Dell OpenManage Deployment Toolkit (DTK) includes utilities, sample scripts, and other tools for configuring and deploying Dell systems. DTK is released in two versions: the Linux version is distributed as an Embedded Linux

-based ISO, and the Windows

(Windows PE) version is distributed as a package of Dell with instructions on how to integrate with a standard Windows PE image. Booting the CD created from the ISO image creates a To ol k it folder which contains subdirectories with the necessary files to perform deployment tasks.

NOTE: Currently, DUPs are supported only in the DTK embedded Linux

environment.

The bootable DTK embedded Linux environment is required for bare-metal (or pre-operating system) DUP execution and is bootable from many types of media and does not require the local disk. It allows users to use Linux DUPs for change management.

Users can boot to the system under the DTK embedded Linux Environment and execute the package from either a network drive, a USB device supporting Linux file systems, or a CD drive, with the following options:

Interactive Mode:

./packagename

Non

-Interactive Mode:

./packagename -q

Preinstallation Environment

-provided content

./packagename -q -r

A successful update will return the exit code to either 0, 2 or 6.

NOTE: For dependencies and information on running DUPs in the Dell-provided

embedded Linux environment and in a customized embedded Linux environment and for information on the required files and tools, see the Dell OpenManage Deployment Toolkit User's Guide on the Dell Support website at support.dell.com/manuals. The required minimum kernel version is 2.6.9-42.

12 Getting Started With Dell Update Packages

Dell-Qualified and Dell-Enabled Packages

A DUP can be applied as a Linux operating system DUP for a system in one of the following ways:

• The DUP that you are applying See "Dell-Qualified Path" for more information.

• The DUP that you are applying can be kernels and operating systems in your environment. See "Dell-Enabled Path" for more information.

matches

the Dell-qualified operating systems.

enabled

to work with the running

Before You Begin

DUPs support Dell systems running the operating systems listed in the

Overview" section.

that has root (administrator) privileges.

How to Obtain DUPs from the Dell Support Website

Log on to

Click

Drivers and Downloads.

Enter your service tag or choose your product model.

Select your product family and product line.

Select your operating system, language, category, and the update importance. A list of applicable updates are displayed.

Click

Download Now

You can also download a different file format from the column labeled

File Title

If you want to download more than one file type, you must do so one at atime.

To complete the download of your file, follow the directions on the screen.

You must be able to log on to the system with an account

support.dell.com

. Select a file format for your DUP and single-click its filename.

Getting Started With Dell Update Packages 13

Before installing DUPs, read the information provided, both online and in the download package. Ensure that the updates you selected are both necessary and appropriate for your system. You may also need to complete some or all of the following steps:

Add executable privileges to the package filename. Type the following command:

chmod +x packagename.bin

Verify that the package meets the prerequisites for performing an update.

To perform the check from the CLI, type the following command at the command line prompt:

./packagename.bin -c

Determine a methodology for performing the updates.

• Single update method: Run the DUP from the command line in interactive mode to perform the update.

• Script method: Use this method if you have a requirement for running one or more updates from a script on one or more systems in non-interactive mode.

Installation Order of DUPs

If you are installing multiple DUPs, install the updates that require a reboot at the end. Table 1-1 provides the recommended installation order.

Table 1-1. Update Packages: Recommended Installation Order

Installation Order System Software Components

1 Device driver

2 Device firmware

3ESM firmware

4BIOS

NOTE: If you have updated the BIOS, the changes to the BIOS do not take effect

until you reboot your system.

NOTE: To ensure a single reboot, you must install the ESM firmware update before

the BIOS update.

14 Getting Started With Dell Update Packages

Important Tips to Remember for Using DUPs

• Prepare repair disks before you perform any updates.

• Download the currently installed version of drivers, BIOS, and firmware so that you have a backup plan in case any issues arise.

• Ensure that you have a backup of operating system files or system configuration files stored on a system other than the one you are updating.

• Ensure that the updates are planned for and performed by the system administrator who knows which applications could be affected.

• Before updating all systems, perform the upgrade on one nonessential system to test the update.

• Do not run other applications while executing DUPs.

• Do not shut down the system while an update is in progress.

• Ensure that the system reboots without power interruption after performing a BIOS update.

• Do not close any terminal console windows used for performing the DUP CLI execution, while DUP executions are in progress.

Obtaining Technical Assistance

If at any time you do not understand a procedure described in this guide, or if your product does not perform as expected, different types of help are available. For more information see Installation and Troubleshooting Guide or the Hardware Owner’s Manual.

Additionally, Dell Enterprise Training and Certification is available; see www.dell.com/training for more information. This service might not be offered in all locations.

"Getting Help" in your system's

16 Getting Started With Dell Update Packages

Using Dell Update Packages

Before You Begin

This section is designed to help you get the most out of Dell™ Update Packages (DUPs). Updating the system software on your Dell systems should be a key element of your company's overall change management policies and procedures. Maintaining the system software on your Dell systems helps ensure smooth operation.

Before you apply any update to your system, you may want to carefully plan your update strategy, based on the conditions that are necessitating the update. Many reasons may exist for making the decision to update your Dell system, such as:

• Correcting a security concern

• Correcting a problem on your system, based on a recommendation from Dell support personnel

• Updating a system software component to a minimum level required by an application

• Gaining access to a new feature or improved performance

• Updating all system components as part of your company's periodic maintenance process

Each of the preceding update situations entails different levels of urgency, but all require a certain level of planning to ensure a successful update with minimal disruption to your applications and users. The following subsections help you develop the system update strategy that best fits your needs, your company's policies and procedures, and the tools available to you.

Develop Your System Update Plan

You may want to update your system for many reasons, as mentioned in the preceding section. This update requirement may be planned or unplanned.

Using Dell Update Packages 17

Planned updates occur as a part of your regular cycle of maintaining your systems with up-to-date BIOS, firmware, and drivers. Most IT organizations establish a regular schedule for performing the updates that are integrated with the planned maintenance functions. The frequency of these updates varies from company to company; however, it is common for companies to adopt quarterly or semi-annual update schedules. Irregular but planned updates may occur when a system is retasked with a new application or when the operating system is upgraded or changed. When you have scheduled planned outage or downtime for your system, consider upgrading the system software components.

Unplanned updates typically occur as a result of applying a critical upgrade to your system to avoid data loss, service interruption, or security threats. You may, for example, be advised to apply an update in response to a call you have placed to a Dell support professional. Although the urgency of applying such an update is greater than a planned update, you know that you must apply careful thought and consideration to ensure a successful update with minimal disruption to your users. The key to success is always having a well-planned strategy for all update scenarios.

Acquiring DUPs

Dell provides a number of aids to help you determine whether or not your system requires an update. You can locate the DUP for your system on the Dell Support website at support.dell.com. For instructions, see "How to Obtain DUPs from the Dell Support Website."

Update Packages Component and System Compatibility

After you locate your DUP, read the summary information to determine whether or not you should download the update and apply it to your system. You can run the DUP and read the summary information by using the command line interface option --version. For more information on the

--version option, see "Command Line Interface Reference." This information is provided to help you determine whether the update is appropriate for your system and your specific environment.

18 Using Dell Update Packages

Executing DUPs

You can run DUPs from the console in both interactive and non-interactive modes.

Interactive Mode

In the interactive mode, you issue a command, and the interface prompts you for permission to continue executing the command. When you execute a package interactively, it first displays a scrollable view of the release notes for the package. You may view these notes before continuing with the execution of the package.

The DUP may be executed from a local console attached to the target server or from an administrator’s workstation by using a remote shell, such as ssh. Once a package has been delivered to the target system, administrators can execute the package in its simplest form by typing ./packagename.bin from the working directory, where packagename is the model and component name of the package. This syntax assumes that the .bin file has the appropriate permissions set and that a user account with root privileges executes the update. Once underway, the DUP will echo its progress and status to the console (stdout) and log its activity to /var/log/messages.

The following example shows the command for applying a BIOS DUP to a Dell system in interactive mode:

chmod +x ./PE1650-BIOS-LX-A10.bin ./PE1650-BIOS-LX-A10.bin

The DUP application writes the following messages to the screen. Interactive mode requires Y/N responses to continue with update and reboot.

Collecting inventory... Running validation... BIOS The version of this Update Package is newer than the currently installed version. Software application name: BIOS Package version: A10 Installed version: A9 Continue: Y/N? Y Y entered; update was forced by user Executing update... WARNING: DO NOT STOP THIS PROCESS WHILE BIOS UPDATE IS IN PROGRESS. STOPPING MAY CAUSE YOUR SYSTEM TO BECOME UNSTABLE! Update successful. Would you like to reboot your system now? N The system should be restarted for the update to take effect.

-specific

Using Dell Update Packages 19

Version Information

One of the most informative commands uses the --version option.

An actual example that retrieves extensive version information for a DUP is as follows:

Dell Server System BIOS, A10

Release Date:

November 21, 2003

Release ID:

R60452

Supported System(s):

PowerEdge 1650

Prerequisite(s):

BIOS A05

Description:

PowerEdge 1650, BIOS, A10

Supported Device(s):

Server System BIOS

Fixes / Enhancements: * Added support for version 2.8 of the onboard RAID controller (PERC3/Di) firmware. * Corrected issues affecting the Preboot Execution Environment (PXE).

* Corrected problems which cause the system to power up at unexpected times. * Corrected problems with the Remote BIOS Update feature. * Corrected issues in BIOS USB Support. * Corrected issues in Embedded Server Management support.

Non-Interactive Mode

Non-interactive mode is essential when executing a script for applying DUPs to multiple systems. When applying DUPs to multiple systems, you cannot answer yes or no during script execution. Your script specifies -q for non

-interactive mode; often script writers add -f for force and -r for reboot if

a reboot is required for the type of update being performed.

In the following command example, the command applies a BIOS DUP without any user confirmation, forces the execution in the case of a downgrade from a more recent BIOS version, and reboots the system after the DUP is applied. This command is executed provided the DUP satisfies all the system and version requirements.

./PE2850-ESM_FRMW_LX_R92394.bin -q -f -r

For more information on the command line interface (CLI), see "Command Line Interface Reference."

20 Using Dell Update Packages

Verifying the Digital Signature

A digital signature is used to authenticate the identity of the signer of a file and to certify that the original content of the file has not been modified since it was signed.

If you do not already have it installed on your system, you must install the Gnu Privacy Guard (GPG) to verify a Linux DUP digital signature. To use the standard verification procedure, perform the following steps:

Get the Dell Linux public GnuPG key, if you do not already have it. You can download it by navigating to

Dell Public GPG key

Import the public key to your gpg trust database by running the following

link.

command:

gpg --import <Public Key Filename>

NOTE: You must have your private key to complete the process.

To avoid a distrusted-key warning, validate the public key by its fingerprint before you use it.

Type the following command:

gpg --edit-key 23B66A9D

Within the GPG key editor, type appears:

pub 1024D/23B66A9D 2001-04-16 Dell, Inc. (Product Group) <linux-security@dell.com> Primary key fingerprint: 4172 E2CE 955A 1776 A5E6 1BB7 CA77 951D 23B6 6A9D

lists.us.dell.com

fpr

. The following message

and clicking the

If the fingerprint of your imported key is the same as the key owner's, you have a correct copy of the key. You can verify the key's owner in person, over the phone, or by any other means that guarantees that you are communicating with the key's true owner.

While still in the key editor, type

Answer the list of trust-validation questions that appears and create

sign

a passphrase to use as your secret key.

You must import and validate the public key only once.

Using Dell Update Packages 21

Obtain the Linux DUP and its associated signature file from the Dell Support website at

NOTE: Each Linux DUP has a separate signature file, which is shown on the

same web page as the DUP. You need both the DUP and its associated signature file for verification. By default, the signature file is named the same as the DUP filename with a .sign extension. For example, if a Linux DUP is named PE1850-BIOS-LX-A02.BIN, its signature filename is PE1850-BIOS-LX-A02.BIN.sign. To download the files, right-click the download link and use the "Save Target As..." file option.

Verif y th e DUP:

support.dell.com/support/downloads

gpg --verify <Linux Update Package signature filename> <Linux Update Package filename>

The following example illustrates the steps that you follow to verify a 1425SC BIOS DUP:

Download the following two files from

support.dell.com

• PESC1425-BIOS-LX-A01.bin.sign

• PESC1425-BIOS-LX-A01.bin

Import the public key by running the following command line:

gpg --import <linux-security-publickey.txt>

The following output message appears:

gpg: key 23B66A9D: "Dell Computer Corporation (Linux Systems Group) <linuxsecurity@dell.com>" not changed gpg: Total number processed: 1 gpg: unchanged: 1

22 Using Dell Update Packages

Validate the Dell public key, if you haven’t done so previously, by typing the following command:

gpg --edit-key 23B66A9D

At the command prompt, type the following commands:

fpr sign

Answer the validation questions.

Verify the PESC1425 BIOS package digital signature by running the following command:

gpg --verify PESC1425-BIOS-LX-A01.bin.sign PESC1425-BIOS-LX-A01.bin

The following output message appears:

gpg: Signature made Thu 14 Apr 2005 04:25:37 AM IST using DSA key ID 23B66A9D gpg: Good signature from "Dell Computer Corporation (Linux Systems Group) <linuxsecurity@dell.com>"

NOTE: If you have not validated the key as shown in step 3, you will receive

additional messages:

gpg: WARNING: This key is not certified with a trusted signature! gpg: There is no indication that the signature belongs to the owner. Primary key fingerprint: 4172 E2CE 955A 1776 A5E6 1BB7 CA77 951D 23B6 6A9D

Compatibility Concerns

DUPs are designed to confirm that all prerequisites are satisfied before applying the update to your system. Each DUP checks to ensure the following:

• The logged-on user has root privileges.

• The DUP to be applied in the command is compatible with your target system.

• The DUP to be applied in the command is compatible with the operating system running on your system.

Using Dell Update Packages 23

• The device associated with the DUP is present on your system.

• The minimum required versions of related system software are running on your system.

DUPs are designed with built-in error handling capabilities to ensure that the preceding requirements are validated. If the conditions are not met, no update occurs. DUPs also check for dependencies between BIOS and certain ESM packages. The application design allows you to create groups of DUPs and apply them to a wide range of systems. Additionally, if you only want to verify that a given package can be applied to your system, you can invoke the package by using the following CLI command:

./Packagename.bin -c

This command executes the dependency rules within the DUP, issues any warnings, exits without applying the update to your system, and writes the results to the console. You can also use the DUP to set an exit code to perform decisions within your scripts.

Effects of Applying the Updates on a Running System

System Reboot Required

Certain packages, such as those that update the system BIOS, require a reboot for the new software to take effect. After you apply an update that requires a reboot, you must restart the system to complete the update.

You have the option of choosing to defer the reboot until another time as long as you do not turn off the system. This feature is primarily intended to allow you to apply any number of updates together and perform the system reboot after the last update has been applied. If this process is interrupted, for example, through a power interruption, you must repeat the updates. Therefore, Dell recommends that you schedule updates for a time when the reboot can take place immediately after you apply the last update.

Impact on Users and Applications

Generally, you can apply the updates to a running system because they consume few system resources. Be sure to read the information contained in the DUP before applying the update to determine if applying the update may cause a service interruption to your users or applications. When in doubt, always apply updates at a time when no critical applications or users require the system.

24 Using Dell Update Packages

Specifying the Order of Multiple Updates

When applying multiple updates at the same time, be sure to use the order indicated in "Installation Order of DUPs." As previously noted in "System Reboot Required," you may defer rebooting the system until after running the last of multiple DUPs.

Saving Console Output

As the DUPs are executed, messages are printed to the console. To redirect console output, use the following syntax with interactive commands:

./packagename.bin | tee -a logname.log

The | tee specifies the output from the DUP to be sent to both the console and to a log file. The -a switch ensures that output is appended to a file, protecting any previous log file output from being overwritten.

The following are two example commands that redirect output to a log file:

./PE2600-BIOS-LX-A01.bin | tee -a /var/bioslogs.log ./PE2600-BIOS-LX-A01.bin -q | tee -a /var/bioslogs.log

If you run these commands in the order shown above, the first command directs its interactive mode output to be appended to the log file. The second command directs its non

-interactive mode output to be appended to the end

of the same log file.

Delivering DUPs to Your Systems

The DUP application does not provide scheduling and delivery of the packages to multiple systems. You must rely on third-party or native operating system applications to accomplish script execution and distribution on multiple systems.

Using Software Distribution Applications With DUPs

Many IT organizations use internally developed or purchased software distribution applications to remotely install and update software.

Using Dell Update Packages 25

Updating Many Systems

For large environments that consist of hundreds or perhaps thousands of systems, remote software distribution applications provide the best solution. Many of these tools can effectively leverage the DUP and provide the convenience of installing and updating a variety of software, such as operating systems and applications, in a heterogeneous environment.

Network file shares also are an effective method of making DUP accessible in a distributed environment. When a DUP begins execution, it first copies the contents of the package to a temporary location on the system’s local drive. This process ensures that the update can be completed even if the connection to the network share is lost for any reason.

Stand-alone Systems and Firewalls

For systems that are not connected to the Internet or that have firewalls which block user downloads, you need to download your DUP from support.dell.com by using a system that does have access to the Internet, such as your desktop or portable computer. You can make DUP available to your system by copying them onto removable media that your system supports (such as CD, USB devices, tape, and so on).

Confirming the Update

To ensure that DUPs were applied to your system, review the console output that was generated during execution. See "Troubleshooting" for detailed information about the messages.

If you want to revert to a previous (older) version of the software after updating to a newer version, you must download the appropriate DUP from support.dell.com and install it. To install the previous version from a script, use -q (unattended) mode. In addition, you must use the CLI -f option, which forces the downgrade.

NOTE: If your system loses power during the update process, you must perform the

updates again.

26 Using Dell Update Packages

NOTE: DUPs for Linux can also be found in the repository on the Dell Server

Updates DVD that contains the updated BIOS, and firmware components for Dell systems. The Dell OpenManage™ Server Update Utility (SUU) is an application for identifying and applying updates to your system. You can use SUU to update your Dell system or to view updates available for any system supported by SUU. It compares the versions of components currently installed on your system with update components packaged on the Dell Server Updates DVD and then displays a comparison report of the versions and provides the option of updating the components. See the Server Update Utility User's Guide available on the Dell Support website at support.dell.com/manuals for more information.

Typical Usage Scenarios

Scenario One—Retasking a System

You are the system administrator for a large company. Your group requires an additional system to support a new financial analysis package, and you have access to a Dell system that is no longer in use, from another department within the company. Because the Dell system has an older operating system installed on it, you plan to upgrade the operating system before installing the new financial application. You also plan to install the most current BIOS and ESM firmware offered by Dell, as well as install the Dell OpenManage Server Administrator systems management software.

To prepare the system to run the company's new financial software, perform the following general steps:

Use the came with the Dell system to install the most current version of the Red Hat

Log on to Dell hardware service tag for the Dell system. Otherwise, you can also select the

Locate the BIOS and ESM firmware DUPs for the Dell system and download them.

Additionally, download the Server Administrator application.

Dell Systems Management Tools and Documentation

Enterprise Linux® AS operating system.

support.dell.com

Model

, select

Drivers and Downloads

DVD that

and enter the

Using Dell Update Packages 27

Start to verify the signature of the packages by first downloading the following two files from

• PE2850-BIOS-LX-A20.bin.sign

• PE2850-BIOS-LX-A20.bin

Import the public key by running the following command line:

gpg --import <linux-security-publickey.txt>

The following output message appears:

gpg: key 23B66A9D: "Dell Computer Corporation (Linux Systems Group) <linux-security@dell.com>" not changed gpg: Total number processed: 1 gpg: unchanged: 1

Verify the public key by typing the following command:

gpg --edit-key 23B66A9D

Then at the command prompt, type the following commands:

fpr

sig

Verify the PE2850 BIOS package digital signature by running the following command:

gpg --verify PE2850-BIOS-LX-A02.bin.sign PE2850BIOS-LX-A02.bin

The following output message appears:

gpg: Signature made Thu 14 Apr 2005 04:25:37 AM IST using DSA key ID 23B66A9D gpg: Good signature from "Dell Computer Corporation (Linux Systems Group) <linuxsecurity@dell.com>"

Copy the files that you downloaded to a directory where you want to store all the packages for the Dell system, for example, to the

/home/updates/2850/bin

support.dell.com

directory.

28 Using Dell Update Packages

Create a simple script that executes the following packages one-by-one in this order:

ESM system firmware

BIOS

Use the CLI

-q

option on each line in the script for these packages so that you can schedule the process by using the task manager. On each line of the file, you also include check the results of the execution. Use the CLI

| tee -a /var/log/upgrade.log

-r option for the last line

(BIOS) of the script.

You analyze the log file, find that the packages installed successfully, and note that the system was rebooted. You then install Server Administrator.

At this point, the Dell system is running the most current operating system, system BIOS, and system firmware. You are now ready to install the financial application for your division.

Scenario Two — BIOS Update for 200 Systems

You are the system administrator for a large business with over 500 stores. Every store location has a Dell system that is used to manage the company’s inventory and billing systems. About 200 of these stores are running on Dell systems. The latest BIOS update available on support.dell.com is designed to dynamically regulate the system's cooling fan speeds, which allows the systems to run quieter and consume less energy. Because you remotely manage these systems, you have invested in a software distribution tool that allows you to schedule remote software installation and updates. You also have a planned 4-hour service window each weekend when you can perform any maintenance functions necessary on the company’s systems.

To roll out the BIOS update to the company’s Dell systems, you perform the following general steps:

Log on to Dell hardware service tag for the Dell system. Otherwise, you can also select the

Select

Download the new BIOS DUP for the Dell system.

chmod +x packagename.bin

support.dell.com

Model

BIOS

as the category.

, select

Drivers and Downloads

and enter the

Using Dell Update Packages 29

Use the software distribution tool to create an update task that delivers the BIOS DUP to all the systems in the network.

The update task is a script that invokes the BIOS DUP and uses the CLI

-r -q > redirect_output.log options to ensure that the system is

rebooted when necessary.

Because this BIOS DUP executes only on a Dell system, you can plan on distributing this to all systems regardless of the system model type. The DUP does not affect other systems.

Use the software distribution tool to schedule the BIOS update task to run on all systems at 2:00 A.M. this coming Saturday, which falls within the allotted 4-hour maintenance window.

On Sunday morning, you log in to your system and check the execution results report within the software distribution tool and determine that 180 of your 200 systems successfully applied the BIOS update.

The attempted BIOS update on the remaining 20 systems returned the information that the update was not required.

Log on to one of the 20 systems and check the BIOS package's

redirect_output.log

You confirm that on these 20 systems, the BIOS version was already up–to–date because these systems were those most recently purchased from Dell.

You have successfully completed the BIOS update process for the company.

file.

30 Using Dell Update Packages

Performing BIOS and Firmware Updates Using Dell Linux Online Repository

Overview

You can update your system to the latest version or to a specific version of the BIOS and firmware available in the Dell Linux online repository. The updates are available in the RPM Package Manager (RPM) format. RPM is a standard package format for software updates specific to Linux operating systems. You can inventory the system, scan the repository for matching firmware with newer version using repository management software such as yum, up2date, rug, and zypper. The repository management software support the following operating systems:

• Yum: Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5 Update 3 (x86_32, x86_64)

• Up2date: Red Hat Enterprise Linux 4 Update 8 (x86_32, x86_64)

• Rug: SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 10 SP3 (x86_64)

• Zypper: SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 11 (x86_64)

Firmware-tools are used to update BIOS and firmware on your system. With firmware-tools, the RPM-based BIOS and firmware updates are available along with the packages containing the tools to install those updates. Using a repository management software, you can easily update your BIOS and firmware to the latest or specific versions on your system.

The latest BIOS and firmware updates are available at the following location:

http://linux.dell.com/repo/hardware/latest/

Performing BIOS and Firmware Updates Using Dell Linux Online Repository 31

The steps to update BIOS and firmware for your system are:

Setup/bootstrap the repository

Install firmware-tools

Download applicable firmware

Update BIOS and firmware

The commands to setup, install, and update RPM-based BIOS and firmware for yum, up2date, rug, and zipper are provided in this section.

Setting Up/Bootstrapping the Repository

To setup/bootstrap the Dell Linux online repository, run the following command at the command prompt:

wget -q -O http://linux.dell.com/repo/hardware/latest/bootstrap. cgi | bash

The system is configured to access the Dell Linux online repository using supported repository management software. The Dell GPG keys and libsmbios (BIOS library) are also installed.

Creating a Local Mirror

You can create a local mirror of the Dell Linux online repository on your system or on another system using rsync command. The rsync address is:

rsync://linux.dell.com/repo/hardware

The Dell Linux repository contains .htaccess files. To enable your Apache server to recognize these, you must allow overrides for the directory that contains the Dell Linux repository.

For exampl e, in yo u r /etc/httpd/conf/httpd.conf file, under the /var/www/html/yum_repository directory, you will have

AllowOverride All

AllowOverride controls the directives that may be placed in .htaccess

files. It can be All, None, or any combination of the keywords: Options FileInfo, AuthConfig, or Limit.

32 Performing BIOS and Firmware Updates Using Dell Linux Online Repository

Installing Firmware-tools

Depending on the repository management software you are using, run one of the following commands to install firmware-tools:

For yu m:

yum install dell_ft_install

For up 2dat e:

up2date -i dell_ft_install

For rug:

rug install dell_ft_install

For zypper:

zypper install dell_ft_install

Downloading Applicable Firmware

Depending on the repository management software you are using, run one of the following commands to download applicable firmware:

For yu m:

yum install $(bootstrap_firmware)

For up 2dat e:

up2date --solvedeps=$(bootstrap_firmware -u)

For rug:

rug install $( bootstrap_firmware | xargs -n1 -r rug -

For zypper:

zypper install $(bootstrap_firmware)

Bootstrap firmware is a process where the latest BIOS/Firmware update RPMs for your system are downloaded from the repository, along with the utilities necessary to inventory and apply updates on your system.

Performing BIOS and Firmware Updates Using Dell Linux Online Repository 33

Inventory Installed Firmware

You can also inventory your system for the list of existing versions of BIOS and firmware using the following command:

inventory_firmware

Here is a sample output:

[root@localhost ~]# inventory_firmware Wait while we inventory system: System inventory: BIOS = a07 Primary Backplane = 1.00 System BIOS for PowerEdge 2850 = A07 PowerEdge Expandable RAID Controller 4e/Di Firmware = 5b2d PERC 5/E Adapter Controller 0 Firmware = 5.2.2-0076 BMC = 1.83 Dell Remote Access Controller 4/I Firmware = 1.75 [root@localhost ~]#

Updating BIOS and Firmware

After you have installed the firmware-tools and downloaded the applicable BIOS and firmware updates, you can update the BIOS and firmware on your system using the CLI or the GUI.

Updating BIOS and Firmware Using CLI

Run the following command to inventory the system and scan the repository for new versions of components:

update_firmware

This command provides information about the existing versions of components on your system and the list of component versions that are available to be installed.

Here is a sample output:

[root@localhost ~]# update_firmware Running system inventory... Searching storage directory for available BIOS updates... Checking BIOS - a07 Available: dell_dup_componentid_00159 - a07 Did not find a newer package to install that meets all installation checks. Checking Primary Backplane - 1.00

34 Performing BIOS and Firmware Updates Using Dell Linux Online Repository

Available: dell_dup_componentid_03967 - 1.00 Did not find a newer package to install that meets all installation checks. Checking System BIOS for PowerEdge 2850 - A07 Did not find a newer package to install that meets all installation checks. Checking PowerEdge Expandable RAID Controller 4e/Di Firmware - 5b2d Available: pci_firmware(ven_0x1028_dev_0x0013_subven_0x1028_subdev_0x016d) -

5b2d Did not find a newer package to install that meets all installation checks. Checking PERC 5/E Adapter Controller 0 Firmware - 5.2.1-0066 Available: pci_firmware(ven_0x1028_dev_0x0015_subven_0x1028_subdev_0x1f01) -

5.2.2-0076 Found Update:

pci_firmware(ven_0x1028_dev_0x0015_subven_0x1028_subdev_0x1f01) - 5.2.2-0076 Checking BMC - 1.83 Available: dell_dup_componentid_05814 - 1.83 Did not find a newer package to install that meets all installation checks. Checking Dell Remote Access Controller 4/I Firmware - 1.75 Available: pci_firmware(ven_0x1028_dev_0x0012_subven_0x1028_subdev_0x0012) -

1.75 Did not find a newer package to install that meets all installation checks. Found firmware which needs to be updated. Please run the program with the '--yes' switch to enable BIOS update. UPDATE NOT COMPLETED! [root@localhost ~]#

Installing All Applicable Updates

To install all applicable BIOS and firmware updates on your system, run the following command:

update_firmware --yes

Once the devices are updated, the "Execution Success" message is displayed.

Here is a sample output:

[root@localhost ~]# update_firmware --yes Running system inventory... Searching storage directory for available BIOS updates... Checking BIOS - a07 Available: dell_dup_componentid_00159 - a07 Did not find a newer package to install that meets all installation checks. Checking Primary Backplane - 1.00 Available: dell_dup_componentid_03967 - 1.00 Did not find a newer package to install that meets all installation checks. Checking System BIOS for PowerEdge 2850 - A07 Did not find a newer package to install that meets all installation checks. Checking PowerEdge Expandable RAID Controller 4e/Di Firmware - 5b2d

Performing BIOS and Firmware Updates Using Dell Linux Online Repository 35

Available: pci_firmware(ven_0x1028_dev_0x0013_subven_0x1028_subdev_0x016d) 5b2d

Did not find a newer package to install that meets all installation checks. Checking PERC 5/E Adapter Controller 0 Firmware - 5.2.1-0066 Available: pci_firmware(ven_0x1028_dev_0x0015_subven_0x1028_subdev_0x1f01) -

5.2.2-0076 Found Update:

1.75 Did not find a newer package to install that meets all installation checks. Found firmware which needs to be updated. Running updates... 100% Installing pci_firmware(ven_0x1028_dev_0x0015_subven_0x1028_subdev_0x1f01) -

5.2.2-0076 Done: Execution Success! [root@localhost ~]#

Updating BIOS and Firmware Using Graphical User Interface (GUI)

To start the interactive GUI, run the following command:

inventory_firmware_gui

The Inventory and Update Firmware window displays the existing versions of components on your system and the component versions that are available to be installed.

To update BIOS and firmware on your system to the versions available in the repository:

Select the required devices to be updated and click

Update Firmware

Click

Continue to update page

dialog box is displayed.

....You can also click

the list of selected devices and their versions.

Click

Update Now

to start performing the updates.

Once the devices are updated, the "Execution Success" message is displayed for each device.

Update Firmware

Show Details

to view

. The

36 Performing BIOS and Firmware Updates Using Dell Linux Online Repository

You can also perform the following:

• If your system component version is higher than the version available in the repository, you can downgrade your system components to the versions in the repository. In the the required components to downgrade and click

• If you need to re-install the component versions, select the required components and click

Inventory and Update Firmware

Allow Downgrade

Allow Reflash

dialog box, select

Automatically Update Firmware

By default, installing a BIOS or firmware RPM does not apply the update to the hardware. The update is manually applied using the update_firmware command. However, you can automatically update the hardware during RPM installation by configuring the /etc/firmware/firmware.conf file.

To automatically install BIOS and firmware updates, ensure that rpm_mode is set to auto in the firmware.conf file as shown:

[main] # Automatically install BIOS updates when an RPM BIOS Update file is installed # values: 'auto', 'manual' # default: 'manual' rpm_mode=auto

Viewing Log Information

The log information is stored in the firmware-updates.log file located at /var/log/ folder.

Performing BIOS and Firmware Updates Using Dell Linux Online Repository 37

38 Performing BIOS and Firmware Updates Using Dell Linux Online Repository

Update and Rollback in Unified Server Configurator - Lifecycle Controller Enabled

Dell Unified Server Configurator - Lifecycle Controller Enabled (USC LCE) is an embedded configuration utility that enables systems and storage management tasks from an embedded environment throughout the system’s life cycle.

Residing on an embedded flash memory card, USC - LCE is similar to a BIOS utility in that it can be started during the boot sequence and can function independently of an installed operating system.

Using USC - LCE, you can quickly identify, download, and apply system updates without searching the Dell Support website at support.dell.com. You can also configure your system BIOS and system devices (such as NIC, RAID, and iDRAC), deploy an operating system, and run diagnostics to validate your system and the attached hardware.

NOTE: Certain platforms or systems may not support the full set of features

provided by USC - LCE.

Update in USC LCE

You can update your system BIOS, iDRAC firmware, power supply firmware, RAID firmware, and NIC firmware. Use the Platform Update wizard to display a list of available updates for your system.

You can define a location to search for available updates from the following options:

• the Dell File Transfer Protocol (FTP) server ( proxy server to access

• a USB device. When accessing updates from a local USB device, the USB device must be plugged in before selecting the USC LCE.

Update and Rollback in Unified Server Configurator - Lifecycle Controller Enabled 39

ftp.dell.com

Platform Update

). You can use a

option in

NOTE: For more information on updating the platform, see the Dell Unified

Server Configurator User Guide available on the Dell Support website at

support.dell.com/manuals

After you select the updates you want to apply, USC - LCE downloads and applies the updates. If you decide to update any device in USC - LCE, the update package of the corresponding device is downloaded. After successfully downloading, verifying, and extracting the DUPs, the corresponding devices are updated. If the update fails, error messages are displayed.

Rollback in USC LCE

You can update any component, for example BIOS, in both USC - LCE and your operating system environment. After the update is successful in your operating system environment using DUPs, you can enter USC - LCE and revert the component to the version that was previously installed before the update occurred.

USC - LCE supports platform firmware rollback to the previous version. If your operating system has a non–functioning application because of a BIOS or firmware flash, reboot to USC - LCE and roll back to the previous version.

NOTE: Only BIOS and firmware can be rolled back. The USC - LCE application, the

Dell Diagnostics application, and drivers needed for operating system installation cannot be rolled back to an earlier version.

If you have updated your system’s BIOS or firmware only once, the rollback feature offers the option of reverting to the factory-installed BIOS or firmware images. If you have updated your BIOS or firmware to multiple versions, the factory-installed images are overwritten and you cannot revert to them.

NOTE: Rollback is not supported in your operating system environment. To enable

rollback, ensure that you boot into USC - LCE.

NOTE: Rollback is only supported for USC - LCE and not supported for USC.

40 Update and Rollback in Unified Server Configurator - Lifecycle Controller

Command Line Interface Reference

Using the CLI

This section provides information for using the command line interface (CLI) for Dell™ Update Packages (DUPs).

CLI Options

You can display information about CLI options by typing the DUP name and either -h or --help at a command line prompt. For example, type the following command to get a help screen about the CLI options:

packagename.bin -h or --help

The console displays all of the command line options and provides help for each choice.

Table 5-1 provides a list of the CLI options, a description of each option, and the command syntax.

Table 5-1. CLI Options: Usage

CLI Option CLI Task Description Command Syntax

(no option; run command without options)

Run commands in interactive mode.

-h or --help

Help option

Apply the DUP in interactive mode; if the DUP is valid and can be applied, interacts with the user, asking questions.

Display command line options and help information.

--help option executes

The before all other

NOTE: This option exits after

displaying the requested information; no DUP verification or updates occur.

-- options.

./packagename.bin

-h

./packagename.bin

--help

Command Line Interface Reference 41

Table 5-1. CLI Options: Usage

CLI Option CLI Task Description Command Syntax

-c

Check option

-f

Force option

(continued)

Determine if the update can be applied to the target system.

Force a downgrade or update to an older version. The -q option is required when using the -f option.

./packagename.bin

-c

./packagename.bin

-q -f

NOTE: Before downgrading the

software to a previous version, see the documentation for the previous version.

--list

List package contents option

-q

Run command in non-interactive mode

-r

Reboot option

Display all files that are contained in the DUP.

NOTE: This option exits after

displaying the requested information; no DUP verification or updates occur.

Execute the DUP silently without user intervention.

When -q is not specified, the DUP is in the interactive mode.

Reboot the system, if required, after performing the update. The reboot does not occur:

• If the DUP fails or is not applicable to the target system.

• If the DUP does not require the target system to be rebooted.

The -q option is required with this option.

./packagename.bin

--list

./packagename.bin

-q

./packagename.bin

-r -q

42 Command Line Interface Reference

Table 5-1. CLI Options: Usage

CLI Option CLI Task Description Command Syntax

--rebuild

Rebuild option

-v,--version

Display version option

--extract

<path>

(continued)

Automatically rebuild a DUP to support Linux operating system kernels in addition to the supported kernels.

See "Rebuilding Packages."

Display the version, fixes, enhancements, and release date; lists systems to which the DUP can be applied.

NOTE: This option exits after

displaying the requested information; no DUP verification or updates occur.

Extract all files contained in the DUP to the path you specify. If the directory specified in the path does not exist, it is created.

If the path contains spaces, use quotation marks around the <path> value.

./packagename.bin

--rebuild

./packagename.bin

-v

./packagename.bin

--version

./packagename.bin

--extract /update

./packagename.bin

--extract "/update files"

NOTE: This option exits after

extracting the requested files; no DUP verification or updates occur.

Command Line Interface Reference 43

Exit Codes for CLI

After running DUPs, the exit codes described in Table 5-2 are set.

The exit codes help you determine and analyze the execution results after you run DUPs.

Table 5-2. Exit Codes

Value Message Name Display Name Description

0 SUCCESSFUL Success The update was successful.

1 UNSUCCESSFUL

(FAILURE)

2 REBOOT_REQUIRED Reboot

3 DEP_SOFT_ERROR Soft

Unsuccessful An error occurred during the

update process; the update was not successful.

You must restart the system to

required

dependency error

apply the updates.

Some possible explanations are:

• You attempted to update to the same version of the software.

• You tried to downgrade to a previous version of the software.

To avoid receiving this error, provide the /f option.

44 Command Line Interface Reference

Table 5-2. Exit Codes

Value Message Name Display Name Description

4DEP_HARD_ERRORHard

5 QUAL_HARD_ERROR Qualification

(continued)

dependency error

error

The required prerequisite software was not found on your system. The update was unsuccessful because the server did not meet BIOS, driver, or firmware prerequisites for the update to be applied, or because no supported device was found on the target system. The DUP enforces this check and blocks an update from being applied if the prerequisite is not met, preventing the server from reaching an invalid configuration state. The prerequisite can be met by applying another DUP, if available. In this case, the other package should be applied before the current one so that both updates can succeed. A DEP_HARD_ERROR cannot be suppressed by using the /f switch.

The DUP is not applicable to the system. Some possible explanations are:

• The operating system is not supported by the DUP.

• The system is not supported by the DUP.

• The DUP is not compatible with the devices found in your system.

A QUAL_HARD_ERROR cannot be suppressed by using the /f switch.

Command Line Interface Reference 45

Table 5-2. Exit Codes

Value Message Name Display Name Description

6 REBOOTING_SYSTEM Rebooting

9 RPM_VERIFY_FAILED RPM

(continued)

system

verification has failed

The system is being rebooted.

The Linux DUP framework uses RPM verification to ensure the security of all DUP dependent Linux utilities. If security is compromised, the framework displays a message and an RPM Verify Legend, and then exits with exit code 9.

RPM produces output only if there is a verification failure. The format of the output is:

.SM5DLUGT 'utility

name'

For example, if the fmt command is compromised, the framework displays the message:

rpm verify failed:

.M...... /usr/bin/fmt

RPM Verify Output Legend:

.- Verification test passed

S- File Size differs

M- Mode differs (includes permissions and file type)

5- MD5 sum differs

D- Device major/minor number mismatch

L- ReadLink(2) path mismatch

U- User ownership differs

G- Group ownership differs

T- mTime differs

46 Command Line Interface Reference

Rebuilding Packages

Overview

When you download a Dell™ Update Package (DUP) from the Dell Support website at support.dell.com, you want to apply it to a specific target system. The DUP application checks for two general compatibility criteria between a package and the target system to which you are applying it:

• Is the system on which you are trying to apply the DUP running a Dell-supported Linux operating system?

• If the system on which you are trying to apply the DUP is running a Dell–supported Linux operating system, is the system also running a Dell–supported Linux kernel version?

Dell-Qualified Path

The Dell-qualified path can be described in the following steps:

You download a DUP from

The DUP meets all compatibility and dependency checks for the target Dell system.

The supported version of the Linux operating system and kernel version for which the DUP was created, match the running operating system version and the running kernel version on the target system.

Continue applying the DUP to your system.

support.dell.com.

Dell-Enabled Path

The Dell-enabled path allows you to customize DUPs to run on target systems that do not have supported operating systems or supported kernels. When you try to apply a package to a system, if the operating system or kernel is not supported, the DUP application displays a message to that effect.

Rebuilding Packages 47

The Dell-enabled path allows you to customize a DUP by using the

Dell

Supported

OS?

Dell

Supported

Kernel?

Continue Execution

packagename.bin

--CUSTOM

Use the --rebuild option to customize the package

--rebuild option. The prerequisites for using the --rebuild option are described in "Setting Up a Test System for Rebuilding a Package."

The Dell-enabled path is described by the flow diagram in Figure 6-1.

Figure 6-1. Dell-Enabled Path for Rebuilding Packages

The Dell-enabled path can be described in the following steps:

Download a DUP from

When you try to apply the DUP to your system, the DUP application discovers that your target system does not have a Dell-supported operating system.

The DUP allows you to rebuild a customized package for your unsupported operating system and issues a disclaimer that this customized package is not supported or warranted.

48 Rebuilding Packages

support.dell.com.

The DUP checks to make sure that the kernel, for the package you are trying to apply to your target system, is supported. If the kernel is not supported, you must follow the "Dynamic Kernel Support" procedures and other procedures found later in this section to build a customized package.

NOTE: It is recommended that the --rebuild option be executed on a test system

having the same configuration.

When you have successfully built a custom package for the operating system and kernel that are running on your target system, read the warning messages before applying the package to your target system.

Specifically, the supported version of the Linux operating system and the kernel version for which the package was created, match the running operating system version and running kernel version on the target system.

Continue applying the package to your system.

Dynamic Kernel Support

The kernel-dependent driver built into the DUP must be compatible with the kernel on the system to which you are applying the package.

When you download a DUP from support.dell.com, the packages contain precompiled driver modules for a limited set of kernels and their corresponding GNU C compiler (GCC) versions. If the kernel that is running on the system(s) to which you want to apply the DUP is not one of the supported kernels, then the package will not work on your system. You can rebuild your package by using your running kernel source and binutils.rpm, and then apply the rebuilt package to any target systems that have the same running kernel, as the one where you rebuilt your package.

Customers typically run three or four different kernels across thousands of servers on their network. Applying updates to systems running these different kernel versions becomes difficult if you have to meet these prerequisites on each server across the network. When building customized packages, you can set up a test system for rebuilding packages that meets the prerequisites for rebuilding packages. See "Prerequisites for the Test System."

Rebuilding Packages 49

Determining Whether Your Package Is Supported

Rebuilding a supported kernel does not require any prerequisites. In this case, the standard DUP is used and the rebuild process completes successfully.

Rebuilding an unsupported kernel requires prerequisites. See "Prerequisites for the Test System."

DUP execute on a given target system and can determine if the running kernel is supported by the package you are trying to apply to your system. In cases where the currently running kernel is not supported, the DUP application tries to rebuild the package. If the prerequisites are not present for an unsupported kernel, the rebuild fails and the DUP application issues one of the following error messages:

Update Package is unable to build a device driver for the running kernel because the required kernel source files are not installed. See "Rebuilding Packages" in the Update Packages User’s Guide for more information.

Update Package does not support the running kernel. See "Rebuilding Packages" in the Update Packages User’s Guide for more information.

The above messages indicate that the running kernel is not supported by the DUP that you attempted to apply to your Dell system. You can proceed with the update in one of the following ways:

• Install the prerequisites for compiling customized packages for the running kernel directly on the system to which the package is being applied, rebuild the package on the system, and then reapply the rebuilt package.

• Rebuild the package on a test system that meets the prerequisites for a test system, and then distribute the update to systems that have the same running kernel, model name, and configuration, across the network.

50 Rebuilding Packages

Setting Up a Test System for Rebuilding a Package

Dell recommends using a test system that has the same running kernel as the kernel that is running on the system in the production environment.

Scenario

The following scenario covers the major steps that you would follow in determining that your downloaded package does not support the running kernel on the Dell system to which you were trying to apply the package. The scenario provides a high-level description of the steps for rebuilding the package and distributing it to the systems on which you want to use the rebuilt package.

Download the latest BIOS version from the Dell Support website at

support.dell.com

When trying to apply the package to the Dell system, you learn that the precompiled package that you downloaded, does not support the kernel version that is currently running on your system.

An inventory of your network’s production environment shows that the same unsupported kernel is running on a total of 200 systems.

You decide to use the DUP package. The customized package will support an additional kernel.

for a Dell system.

--rebuild

option to build a customized

Select a non–production add support for this kernel.

On this test system, ensure that certain prerequisites are satisfied.

If the prerequisites are not satisfied, the work. For more information on the prerequisites, see "Prerequisites for the Tes t S y st em ."

Run the for the running kernel. For example, type the following command:

./PE2850-ESM_FRMW_LX_R92394.bin --rebuild

--rebuild

test

system on which to rebuild this package to

--rebuild

option against the downloaded DUP to add support

Rebuilding Packages 51

option will not

Apply the rebuilt package to a test system to ensure that the package applies without errors. For example, type the following command:

./PE2850--ESM_FRMW_LX_R92394.bin--CUSTOM

If package execution results in errors, correct the errors and rebuild and reapply the package until you get satisfactory results.

Distribute the rebuilt package to all 200 of the target systems. You can write a script to apply the package to all systems.

Prerequisites for the Test System

Prepare your test system to meet the following prerequisites for executing the

--rebuild command. If these prerequisites are met on the test system, you can test the package on the test system, and then distribute and use the rebuilt packages on Dell systems in a production environment.

The test system, or the system on which you are going to rebuild the package, must meet the following six prerequisites:

Kernel match

kernel version running on the system to which the rebuilt package is to be deployed (target system or production system).

To find out the kernel version that is running on your system, type the following command:

uname -r

: The kernel version on the test system must match the

The system responds by displaying the kernel version, for example:

2.4.9-e.3smp

Kernel GCC compiler match recommended

use the same GCC compiler version on both the test system and the production system.

NOTE: The kernel source and binutils.rpm do not need to be present on the

production system.

Kernel source is installed

kernel version must be installed.

The binutils.rpm package is installed binutils.rpm

52 Rebuilding Packages

is installed on the test system.

: The kernel source for the currently running

: It is recommended that you

: Ensure that at least some version of

Dell OpenManage™ Server Administrator is not installed on the test system

: Ensure that the Server Administrator is not installed on the system. You cannot rebuild a package on a system that has Server Administrator installed.

NOTE: It does not matter whether Server Administrator is installed on the

production systems to which the rebuilt packages are to be distributed and applied. Server Administrator cannot be present on the system where the packages are rebuilt.

Dell OpenManage Server Administrator device drivers are not built into the kernel on the test system

: Ensure that the Server Administrator device drivers have not been built into the kernel. The Server Administrator device drivers are named

dcdbas

and

dell_rbu

. You cannot rebuild a package on a system that has either or both of these device drivers built into the kernel.

You can identify that a driver is built into a kernel by checking if both of the following are true:

A directory for the driver exists in the

/sys/devices/platform

directory.

For the specific case of Server Administrator device drivers, type the following command and see if either

dcdbas

dell_rbu

is listed:

ls /sys/devices/platform

A module is not loaded for the driver.

For the specific case of Server Administrator device drivers, type the following commands to see if a module for either driver is loaded:

test

lsmod | grep -i dcdbas

lsmod | grep -i dell_rbu

When the test system matches all the prerequisites listed above, you can rebuild the package.

Rebuilding Packages 53

Rebuilding a Package to Add Kernel Support to

Test system running kernel version (a)

Test system running kernel version (c)

Output package containing support for kernel version (a), (b), and (c)

Dell Update Package from support.dell.com

Test system running kernel version (b)

a Single System

The following command rebuilds the package for the currently running version of the kernel.

./packagename.bin --rebuild

Depending on your system configuration, the rebuild takes between a few seconds and a few minutes to complete. DUPs display any error messages encountered while executing the rebuild command.

The /tmp directory requires 6 MB or more to execute the --rebuild command. If the /tmp directory lacks space for the execution of the

--rebuild command, the following message is displayed:

Archive cannot be extracted. Please ensure that there is enough space in the tmp folder.

When the rebuild is complete, an output package is created with the suffix --CUSTOM. The rebuilt package name has the syntax:

packagename.bin--CUSTOM

The package on which the --rebuild option was run remains unchanged.

Rebuilding the Package to Add Kernel Support for Multiple Kernel Versions

Customers typically have three or four versions of a Linux kernel running across larger networks. For each unsupported kernel, a package should be rebuilt on similar test systems. Figure 6-2 describes the process for creating this package.

Figure 6-2. Creating a Package That Supports Multiple Kernels

54 Rebuilding Packages

The package can be built on one test system that supports kernel version (a). The output from the rebuilt package for kernel (a) can be copied to another system that is running kernel (b). The package can be rebuilt on the test system running kernel (b), and then copied to the system running kernel (c). The package can be rebuilt on test system c and the resulting output package will have a package that contains support for kernel versions (a), (b), and (c).

Scenario

A customer has two thousand clusters where three different versions of the kernel, versions (a), (b), and (c), are running. The customer wants to perform an ESM upgrade. The customer downloads the

PE2850-ESM_FRMW_LX_R92394.bin package.

PE2850-ESM_FRMW_LX_R92394.bin does not support kernels (a), (b),

and (c). To build a package that supports these three additional kernels, the customer performs the following steps:

Downloads package

support.dell.com

Types the following command to build support for kernel version (a):

./PE2850-ESM_FRMW_LX_R92394.bin --rebuild

If the package rebuild is successful, then a new package named

PE2850-ESM_FRMW_LX_R92394.bin--CUSTOM

test system running kernel version (a).

PE2850-ESM_FRMW_LX_R92394.bin

on the test system running kernel version (a).

is created on the

from

Copies the one of the system utilities such as scp, rcp, ftp, to the system running kernel version (b).

Types the following command to build support for kernel version (b):

./PE2850-ESM_FRMW_LX_R92394.bin--CUSTOM --rebuild

The output package is

CUSTOM

By using steps 3 and 4 iteratively, you can add additional support for as many kernels you want.

PE2850-ESM_FRMW_LX_R92394.bin--CUSTOM

PE2850-ESM_FRMW_LX_R92394.bin--

Rebuilding Packages 55

file using

Deploying Custom Packages Across the Environment

These modified custom packages rebuilt for a custom environment can be deployed across the network. The execution behavior of the rebuilt packages will not be modified. DUPs would still check for compatibility of the package with the system to which it is being applied, and for all other prerequisites that must be met for successful package execution as discussed in the "Using Dell Update Packages" and "Command Line Interface Reference" sections.

56 Rebuilding Packages

Troubleshooting

Known Issues

The following are known issues and corrective actions for Dell™ Update Packages (DUPs) for Linux operating systems:

Diagnostic Tasks will not run while a DUP reboot is pending

It is recommended that you complete any pending updates with a reboot prior to running diagnostic tasks.

Abnormal termination of a DUP

When a DUP stop abruptly due to a power outage or abnormal termination, perform the following steps:

Remove the lock file.

Type the following command:

Run the DUP again to reapply the update.

Error while loading shared libraries

Install the compatibility libraries from your Linux distribution if the following error is displayed: Error while loading shared

libraries: libstdc++.so.5: Cannot open shared object file: No such file or directory. To install the compatibility libraries, use the following command: RPM -ih compat-libstdc++33-3.2.3-47.3.i386.rpm

rm -f /var/lock/.spsetup

Insufficient free physical memory to load the BIOS image

BIOS updates require enough free physical memory to load the entire BIOS image into the physical memory. If there is insufficient free physical memory available on the system to load the BIOS image, the DUP for BIOS may fail. In this instance, the BIOS can be updated using the diskette method, by running the DUP after adding more memory, or by running the DUP immediately after a reboot.

Troubleshooting 57

Kernel panic while running storage controller firmware update packages

Linux systems running one or more applications that interact with SCSI devices in certain ways are known to cause a kernel panic situation. Therefore, it is recommended that you stop Dell OpenManage™ Server Administrator and Dell OpenManage Server Administrator Storage Management Service before running storage controller firmware DUPs.

Loss of functionality while renaming Linux DUPs

Linux DUPs can be executed even if they are renamed, but some functionality is lost. Renamed Linux DUPs with extensions that are in the Linux MIME (Multimedia Internet Message Extensions) database could fail to execute from various X case the desktop issues a file open error message indicating that the DUP cannot be opened. This occurs if a DUP with an uppercase renamed to one having a lowercase an entry in the Linux MIME database which leads to the file open error.

NOTE: The readme.txt file, which is available on the Dell Support website at

support.dell.com/manuals, provides the latest information regarding known issues.

-Windows desktops, for example GNOME. In this

".BIN" extension is

".bin" extension. The ".bin" extension has

Yum and Up2date repository management software caches incorrect repository metadata

For yum, run the yum clean all command to remove old metadata and retry updating the firmware.

For up2date, run rm -f /var/spool/up2date/* to remove old metadata. You can also remove all the files under /var/spool/up2date/ at any time and up2date will automatically download the required updates.

Use Dell Linux Repository with yum and Red Hat Enterprise Linux version 4

If you do not have Red Hat Network (RHN) configured, and need to use the Dell yum repository with Red Hat Enterprise Linux version 4 and up2date, you must disable RHN. Open the /etc/sysconfig/rhn/sources file and comment the following line:

up2date default

58 Troubleshooting

Messages

Table 7-1 provides descriptions and solutions to messages that you may receive when running DUPs.

Table 7-1. Update Packages Message Information

Message Description/Solution

This Update Package is not compatible with your system Your system: <Model NameN> System(s) supported by this package: <Model NameN>

This Update Package cannot be executed under the current operating system.

This Update Package is not compatible with any of the devices detected in your system.

The prerequisite software version for this update was not found. Software application name: <name> Current version: <version> Required version: <version>

You must use the -f option to continue with the update in the non-interactive mode.

The software to be updated was not found. Install the following software, and then retry the update. Software name: <name> Required version: <version>

Select a compatible DUP, and try the update again.

DUPs support Linux operating systems and kernels supported by the

rebuild

"Rebuilding Packages."

Select a compatible DUP for the device(s) you want to update, and try again.

The DUP you selected cannot be installed because a prerequisite requirement was not met. Install the appropriate prerequisite software version, and try the update again.

The version of this DUP is either older than or the same as the version installed. To apply the DUP, you must force execution.

Your system does not contain the software that matches the DUP.

option as explained in

Troubleshooting 59

Table 7-1. Update Packages Message Information

Message Description/Solution

The version of this Update Package is newer than the currently installed version. Software application name: <name> Package version: <version> Installed version: <version>

The version of this Update Package is older than the currently installed version. Software application name: <name> Package version: <version> Installed version: <version>

The version of this Update Package is the same as the currently installed version. <version> Software application name: <name> Package version: <version> Installed version: <version>

This package is not compatible with the version of Server Agent on your system. You must upgrade to Server Administrator before running this package.

This update package requires an OpenIPMI driver. Currently no OpenIPMI driver is installed on the system.

(continued)

This message confirms the version of the currently installed software before the update is performed.

(Using the interactive mode) Type Y or N when prompted to continue.

(Using the CLI) Specify the -f option.

The DUP you selected cannot be installed because a newer version of the software already exists on the system. To install the older version: (Using the interactive mode) Type Y or N when prompted to continue.

(Using the CLI) Specify the -f option.

The DUP you selected cannot be installed because the same version of the software already exists on the system. (Using the interactive mode) Type Y or N when prompted to continue.

(Using the CLI) Specify the -f option.

Use an alternative update method from support.dell.com.

The DUP you selected cannot be installed because you do not have an OpenIPMI driver installed on your system.

60 Troubleshooting

Table 7-1. Update Packages Message Information

Message Description/Solution

In order to assist in the <update|install>, you can download and install a version of the OpenIPMI driver that meets the minimum version requirement from the Dell Support website at support.dell.com. The minimum version required is <version>.

This Update Package requires a newer version of the OpenIPMI driver than is currently installed on the system, which is version <version>.

Kernel source for the running kernel is not installed, and the currently installed OpenIPMI driver RPM was installed without the kernel source for the running kernel. In order to install OpenIPMI driver modules for the running kernel that meet the minimum version requirement, you must install kernel source for the running kernel, and then use DKMS (see man page for dkms) to install and build OpenIPMI driver modules for the running kernel. To install kernel source for the running kernel, install the <filename> RPM that is applicable to the running kernel.

(continued)

Download and install the minimum required OpenIPMI driver from the Dell Support website.

The OpenIPMI driver that is currently installed on your system does not meet the minimum version requirements of the selected DUP.

Install the kernel source for your running kernel, and then use the Dynamic Kernel Module Support (DKMS) framework to install and build the OpenIPMI driver modules for the running kernel.

You must install the kernel source by installing the .rpm file required by your kernel.

For information on using DKMS, see the man page for DKMS.

Troubleshooting 61

Table 7-1. Update Packages Message Information

Message Description/Solution

Kernel source for the running kernel is installed, but the currently installed OpenIPMI driver RPM was installed without the kernel source for the running kernel. In order to install OpenIPMI driver modules for the running kernel that meet the minimum version requirement, use DKMS (see man page for dkms) to install and build OpenIPMI driver modules for the running kernel.

You must reboot the system for the update to take effect.

An Update Package is already running. Wait until it is complete before proceeding with another update.

WARNING: DO NOT STOP THIS PROCESS OR INSTALL OTHER DELL PRODUCTS WHILE <BIOS|FRMW> UPDATE IS IN PROGRESS. THESE ACTIONS MAY CAUSE YOUR SYSTEM TO BECOME UNSTABLE.

Cannot find utilities on the system to execute package.

Make sure the following utilities are in the path:<path>

File already exists. The package is attempting to overwrite

(continued)

Use DKMS to install and build the OpenIPMI driver modules required by your running kernel.

For information on using DKMS, see the man page for DKMS.

If you shut down or power off the system after performing an update, you will lose the update.

After performing a BIOS update, do not power off the system. Reboot the system for the update to take effect.

You can run only one DUP at a time.

Do not interrupt DUP execution.

The package must have certain utilities to execute.

The utilities named must be in the path mentioned in the message.

an existing file.

62 Troubleshooting

Table 7-1. Update Packages Message Information

Message Description/Solution

Rebuilding package <package_name> to support kernel version "kernel.x". This process may take several minutes to complete...

No specific kernel version specified! Building support for current kernel...

Cannot create directory /extract directory. Please ensure that there is enough space.

Cannot create temporary file "filename"

Unable to create Temp Files. Please ensure that there is enough space in the tmp folder.

Archive cannot be extracted. Please ensure that there is enough space in the tmp folder.

Please provide a directory name to extract to.

ROOT directory cannot be used for extraction.

Successfully extracted to "/extractdir"

Cannot find utilities on the system to extract package. Make sure the following utilities are on the path: <path>

(continued)

The DUP application is rebuilding the package to support a different kernel version.

Unable to determine current system kernel. The DUP application attempts to rebuild the package.

Extracting the package to this path requires more disk space than is available.

The package cannot create the temporary file for a technical reason, such as lack of disk space, permissions, or a pre-existing file.

There may be insufficient space for the archive.

Provide a directory name for the extracted files.

Create a directory for your extracted files.

The package contents were extracted to the directory you designated.

Locate the listed utilities and add their directory to your Pat h.

Troubleshooting 63

Table 7-1. Update Packages Message Information

Message Description/Solution

Rebuilding Package Failed Error creating driver support directory.

Rebuilding Package Failed Error copying kernel modules.

Rebuilding Package Failed Error re-creating archive.

Rebuilding Package Failed Uninstallation of driver was unsuccessful.

Package has been rebuilt successfully.

Rebuilding Package Failed Error creating output package.

Rebuilding Package Failed Error creating wrapper files.

Output package: The name of the output package is:

Package execution requires 'root' user privileges.

Successfully extracted to <target_directory>.

Rebuilding package packagename.bin to support ’uname -r’.

This process may take several minutes to complete.

Rebuilding Package Failed Unable to extract package contents.

(continued)

The package could not be rebuilt because the support directory could not be created.

The package could not be rebuilt because the kernel modules could not be copied.

The package could not be rebuilt because the archive could not be recreated.

The package could not be rebuilt because the driver could not be uninstalled.

The package rebuild was successful.

Ensure that the directory from which the package rebuild option is being executed is writable.

The required wrapper files could not be created.

The package is being extracted to the following directory.

DUP is rebuilding the packages to support the running kernel.

Wait for the process to complete.

Unable to extract the contents of the package.

64 Troubleshooting

Table 7-1. Update Packages Message Information

Message Description/Solution

Rebuilding Package Failed Server Administrator device driver (HAPI) is already installed on the system. Package can be rebuilt only on a system that does not have Server Administrator device driver (HAPI) installed.

Unable to Install Dell Instrumentation Driver (HAPI).

Rebuilding Package Failed RPM Installation failed with error code=<RPM Install Error Return code>

packagename.bin: Rebuilding Package failed - Unable to extract package contents.

packagename.bin: Rebuilding Package - Kernel <kernelversion> is already supported by this package.

packagename.bin: Rebuilding Package Failed - RPM Installation failed with error code=<LSB_Compliant RPM Install Error Return code>

packagename.bin: Rebuilding Package Failed - Error creating driver support directory.

packagename.bin: Rebuilding Package Failed - Error copying kernel modules.

(continued)

Packages cannot be rebuilt on a system that has the HAPI device driver installed.

The package cannot install the HAPI driver.

Provides the RPM error code that prevented the package from being rebuilt.

Ensure that there is enough space in the /tmp directory.

You do not need to rebuild this package because you have already customized the package for your kernel. You will only receive this message if you previously used the --rebuild option and then ran the rebuilt package.

Check the LSB Compliant RPM error return codes to determine the exact reason for failure.

Ensure that enough space is available in the /tmp directory.

Troubleshooting 65

Table 7-1. Update Packages Message Information

Message Description/Solution

packagename.bin: Rebuilding Package Failed - Error recreating archive.

packagename.bin: Rebuilding Package Failed - Uninstall of driver was unsuccessful.

packagename.bin: Rebuilding Package Failed - Error creating files.

Package has been rebuilt successfully. Output package: packagename.bin:--CUSTOM.

Package has been rebuilt successfully.

packagename.bin: Rebuilding Package failed - Unable to extract package contents.

packagename.bin: Rebuilding Package failed - Server Administrator is installed on the system.

(continued)

Ensure that enough space is available in the /tmp directory.

The driver could not be uninstalled.

Ensure that enough space is available in the /tmp directory.

Package is ready for distribution and execution on production systems with the same running kernel as the system on which it was rebuilt.

Ensure that enough space is available in the /tmp directory.

Packages cannot be rebuilt on a system that has Server Administrator installed. Uninstall Server Administrator from the system before using the --rebuild option.

66 Troubleshooting

Table 7-1. Update Packages Message Information

Message Description/Solution

The installed operating system version is not supported by this Update Package. To customize this package, see "Rebuilding Packages" in the Update Package User’s Guide. In no event shall Dell Inc. be held liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, or consequential damages suffered during or after package customization and execution.

Unable to build a device driver for the running kernel because the build environment is not installed. See "Rebuilding Packages" in the Update Package User’s Guide.

The running kernel is not supported. See "Rebuilding Packages" in the Update Package User’s Guide.

In no event shall Dell Inc. be held liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, or consequential damages suffered during or after package customization and execution.

packagename.bin: Rebuilding Package failed - Server Administrator is already installed on the system.

(continued)

The prerequisites for rebuilding the package are present on your system, but if you apply the customized package to your system and it causes problems, you cannot hold Dell Inc. responsible.

Follow the steps in "Rebuilding Packages" to create the prerequisites for customizing packages.

See the "Rebuilding Packages" section. You may be able to customize your package to support the kernel you are running.

Fully consider this statement before executing a customized package that was enabled by the --rebuild option.

Packages cannot be rebuilt on a system that has Server Administrator installed. Uninstall Server Administrator from the system before using the --rebuild option.

Troubleshooting 67

Table 7-1. Update Packages Message Information

Message Description/Solution

Attempt to update BIOS or firmware to the same version. Update was unnecessary and not applied.

Inventory operation exceeded specified timeout.

Execution operation exceeded specified timeout

/var/lock directory must exist.

Unable to build a device driver for the running kernel because it is not supported on your system.

The Intel IMB driver is currently loaded. Please unload the driver before executing.

Warning: The shell less command is not available. When viewing Release Notes, press space to continue viewing notes, q to continue DUP processing.

(continued)

Re-application of BIOS or firmware DUP serves no purpose.

Inventory operations have time-out limits as defined in the package’s PIEConfig.xml file. Time-out durations are in seconds. If an operation times out, the remainder of the package update is cancelled.

Execution update operations have time-out limits as defined in the package. Time-out durations are in seconds. If an operation times out, the remainder of the package update is cancelled.

Create this system directory to ensure that package updates do not execute concurrently.

Select a compatible DUP and try again.

Unload the installing the selected DUP.

Continue to view the release notes, or install the less command from operating system CDs, and re-execute the package interactively.

Intel

IMB driver before

68 Troubleshooting

Table 7-1. Update Packages Message Information

Message Description/Solution

Press 'q' to exit DUP

(--version).

Press 'q' to continue with DUP execution (dup dup execution).

Warning: Screen widths of less than <numeric value> can distort the information view.

(continued)

The Linux DUP framework uses the Linux utility, less, to display the release notes relevant to the specific firmware or driver release managed by the DUP. When viewing release notes, DUP prompts when executed with the below options:

--version: Press 'q' to exit DUP (--version)

All other DUP execution: Press 'q' to continue with DUP execution

(dup dup execution).

To optionally correct this, answer <N>o to stop package execution. Widen the terminal window to the required size and then re-execute the package interactively.

DUP Message Logs

Logging occurs when you run a command for a DUP. The logs maintain information about all update activities. DUPs write to the Messages log. If you install the same package more than once on the same system, the log is appended.

Messages Log

Messages log files reside in the following default location:

/var/log/dell/updatepackage/log

The messages log file includes the following information:

• Date and time the DUP was launched

• Package release ID number

• The full path and filename of the support log generated by the command

Troubleshooting 69

•DUP type

•DUP version

• Framework version of the DUP

• Version that was previously installed on the system

• Version that the command is trying to apply to the system

• Exit code that results from execution of the command

• Whether a reboot was performed

NOTE: The support log files are intended for use by Dell support personnel.

Dell encourages you to redirect the DUP output to a file of your choice.

Messages Log File

Message logs are informational messages that you can view in one of the messages files in the /var/log directory. The messages files in the /var/log directory contain messages about a wide range of events on the system. Therefore, you must scan through the log file to find the messages that are relevant to DUPs. The following two messages are from two different dates. The example dated September 10 is an example of a command that qualifies for successful execution, but requires a reboot. The example dated September 19 is an example of a command failure.

Sep 10 00:14:54 localhost spsetup.bin[8088]: Package Release ID=R54734 Package Description=Dell ESM Firmware, A22 Previous version=1.63 New Version=1.63 Support Log path=/var/log/dell/updatepackage/log/support/R54734.log Exit code = 2 (Reboot required)

Sep 19 17:27:05 7708sk1 spsetup.bin[7835]: Package Release ID=R57025 Package Description=Dell ESM Firmware, A24 Support Log path= /var/log/dell/updatepackage/log/support/R57025.log Exit code = 1 (Failure)

Support Log File Example

=====> Dell Update Package application started <===== Command:-q -f Date:Wed Nov 8 15:24:18 CST 2007 ===================================================== Release ID: R136685 Update Package version: 5.4 (BLD_31) Collecting inventory... <?xml version="1.0"?> <SVMInventory lang="en"> <Device componentID="159" display="BIOS"> <Application componentType="BIOS" version="A19" display="BIOS"/> </Device>

70 Troubleshooting

<System systemID="121"/> <OperatingSystem majorVersion="2.4" minorVersion="21" spMajorVersion="0"

spMinorVersion="0"/> </SVMInventory> Running validation... BIOS Application: BIOS Previous version: A19 New version: A21 The version of this Update Package is newer than the currently installed version. Software application name: BIOS Package version: A21 Installed version: A19 Executing update... WARNING: DO NOT STOP THIS PROCESS OR INSTALL OTHER DELL PRODUCTS WHILE UPDATE IS IN

PROGRESS. THESE ACTIONS MAY CAUSE YOUR SYSTEM TO BECOME UNSTABLE! The system should be restarted for the update to take effect. ================> Update Result <==================== Update ready to be applied at reboot Application: BIOS Previous version: A19 New version: A21 ===================================================== Exit code = 2 (Reboot required) <?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?> <SoftwareComponent schemaVersion="1.0" packageID="R136685" releaseID="R136685"

dateTime="2006-10-06T06:36:59-05:00" releaseDate="October 06, 2006" vendorVersion= "A21" dellVersion="A21" packageType="LLXP" xmlGenVersion="1.0.2378">

... ... </SoftwareComponent> Wed Nov 8 15:24:40 CST 2006

Troubleshooting 71

72 Troubleshooting

Index

BIOS and Firmware Updates, 31

BIOS update for 200 systems

usage scenario, 29

Boostrapping repository, 32

Catalog.xml, 10

CLI

-c, 24, 42 Check, 42 exit codes, 44

--extract, 43

-f, 26, 42, 60 For ce , 4 2

--h, 41

-h, 41 non-interactive mode, 42

-q, 26, 29, 42

-r, 42

-r -q, 30 reboot, 4 2 rebuild, 43

-v, 43

--version, 43

conditions that may require

update, 17

delivering Update Packages to

your systems, 25

Dell Linux Online

Repository, 31

Dell-enabled path, 47

Dell-qualified path, 47

determining whether your

package is supported, 50

developing system update

strategy, 17

digital signature, verify, 21-23,

DKMS, 61

dynamic kernel support, 49

executing Update Packages, 19

exit codes, 44

Firmware-tools, 31

Index 73

HAPI, 65

Help option, 41

Important tips

using Update Packages, 15

key, verify, 21, 23

message logs for Update

Pack ag e s , 69

messages, 59

non-interactive mode, 42

rebuilding a package

Dell-enabled path, 47 Dell-qualified path, 47 determining whether your package

is supported, 50 dynamic kernel support, 49 setting up a test system, 51 to add kernel support for multiple

kernel versions, 54

rebuilding a package to add

kernel support to a single system, 54

RPM, 46

RPM format, 31

Server Administrator

documentation, 15

setting up a test system for

rebuilding a package, 51

signature, verify, 21-23, 28

obtaining Update Packages, 13

public key, verify, 21, 23

74 Index

specifying order of multiple

updates, 25

standalone systems and

firewalls, 26

strategy for running Update

Packages, 14

system reboot required after

installing some Update Packages, 24

troubleshooting

known issues, 57

typical usage scenarios

BIOS update for 200 systems, 29 Retasking a System, 27

Update and Rollback in Unified

Server Configurator Lifecycle Controller Enabled, 27, 39

Update Options, 10

element update, 10 system update, 10

Update Packages

acquiring, 18 applying on a running system, 24 before you begin, 17, 39 CLI commands, 24, 41 CLI reference information, 41 delivering to your systems, 25 executing, 19 information provided about

updates, 14 message information, 59 message logs, 69 messages, 26 resolving compatibility

concerns, 23 some require system reboot, 24 standalone systems, 26 supported order of installation, 25

system and user requirements, 13 troubleshooting, 59 unattended mode, 26 updating many systems, 26 verifying the digital

signature, 21-23, 28

verifying the update, 26

updating many systems, 26

using Update Packages

important tips, 15

verify

digital signature, 21-23, 28 public key, 21, 23 update, 26

Index 75

76 Index

Dell Update Packages Version 6.2 User Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual

Getting Started With Dell Update Packages

Overview

Server Update Utility and DUPs

Update Options

Supported Operating Systems

OpenIPMI Requirements

Using DUPs in the DTK Pre-Operating System Environment

Dell-Qualified and Dell-Enabled Packages

Before You Begin

How to Obtain DUPs from the Dell Support Website

Installation Order of DUPs

Important Tips to Remember for Using DUPs

Other Documents You May Need

Obtaining Technical Assistance

Using Dell Update Packages

Before You Begin

Develop Your System Update Plan

Acquiring DUPs

Update Packages Component and System Compatibility

Executing DUPs

Verifying the Digital Signature

Compatibility Concerns

Effects of Applying the Updates on a Running System

Delivering DUPs to Your Systems

Updating Many Systems

Confirming the Update

Typical Usage Scenarios

Performing BIOS and Firmware Updates Using Dell Linux Online Repository

Overview

Setting Up/Bootstrapping the Repository

Creating a Local Mirror

Installing Firmware-tools

Downloading Applicable Firmware

Inventory Installed Firmware

Updating BIOS and Firmware

Updating BIOS and Firmware Using CLI

Updating BIOS and Firmware Using Graphical User Interface (GUI)

Automatically Update Firmware

Viewing Log Information

Update and Rollback in Unified Server Configurator - Lifecycle Controller Enabled

Update in USC LCE

Rollback in USC LCE

Command Line Interface Reference

Using the CLI

CLI Options

Exit Codes for CLI

Rebuilding Packages

Overview

Dell-Qualified Path

Dell-Enabled Path

Dynamic Kernel Support

Determining Whether Your Package Is Supported

Setting Up a Test System for Rebuilding a Package

Scenario

Prerequisites for the Test System

Rebuilding the Package to Add Kernel Support for Multiple Kernel Versions

Scenario

Deploying Custom Packages Across the Environment

Troubleshooting

Known Issues

Diagnostic Tasks will not run while a DUP reboot is pending

Abnormal termination of a DUP

Error while loading shared libraries

Insufficient free physical memory to load the BIOS image

Kernel panic while running storage controller firmware update packages

Loss of functionality while renaming Linux DUPs

Yum and Up2date repository management software caches incorrect repository metadata

Use Dell Linux Repository with yum and Red Hat Enterprise Linux version 4

Messages

DUP Message Logs

Messages Log

Messages Log File

Support Log File Example

Index