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Chapter 5. Configuration information and instructions

This chapter provides information about updating the firmware and using the

configuration utilities.

Updating the firmware

The firmware in the server is periodically updated and is available for download on

the Web. Go to http://www.ibm.com/servers/eserver/support/xseries/index.html to

check for the latest level of firmware, such as BIOS code, vital product data (VPD)

code, device drivers, and service processor firmware.

When you replace a device in the server, you might have to either update the

server with the latest version of the firmware that is stored in memory on the device

or restore the pre-existing firmware from a diskette or CD image.

v BIOS code is stored in ROM on the system board.

v BMC firmware is stored in ROM on the baseboard management controller on the

system board.

v Ethernet firmware is stored in ROM on the Ethernet controller.

v ServeRAID firmware is stored in ROM on the ServeRAID SAS controller.

v SAS firmware is stored in ROM on the integrated RAID controller on the system

board.

v Major components contain vital product data (VPD) code. You can select to

update the VPD code during the BIOS code update procedure.

Configuring the server

The ServerGuide Setup and Installation CD provides software setup tools and

installation tools that are specifically designed for your IBM server. Use this CD

during the initial installation of the server to configure basic hardware features and

to simplify the operating-system installation. (See “Using the ServerGuide Setup

and Installation CD” for more information.)

In addition to the ServerGuide Setup and Installation CD, you can use the following

configuration programs to customize the server hardware:

v Configuration/Setup Utility program

v Baseboard management controller utility programs

v RAID configuration programs

– Adaptec RAID Configuration Utility program

– ServeRAID Manager

For more information about these programs, see “Configuring the server” in the

User’s Guide on the IBM System x Documentation CD.

Using the ServerGuide Setup and Installation CD

The ServerGuide Setup and Installation CD provides state-of-the-art programs to

detect the server model and hardware options that are installed, configure the

server hardware, provide device drivers, and help you install the operating system.

For information about the supported operating-system versions, see the label on the

IBM System x3650 Type 7979 User Manual

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