We recently purchased a new Dell r620 server and ran into several issues setting it up. Here are the issues I ran into:
If you’re like me and like to install the OS yourself, make sure you have the Perc710 mini drivers (or whatever Perc controller you have) as well as the Broadcom NIC drivers. I’ve linked them below. These drivers are for Server 2008 R2 (x64) and may differ depending on your configuration. If you have an Intel NIC you probably wont have any issues. I overlooked this when Dell built the quote.
SAS-Raid Driver for Perc710 Mini: Download
Broadcom NetXtreme NIC Driver: Download
After you load your OS and update is when you may run into the interface initializing issue upon reboot. I’ve found 2 options to get past this:
1. Unplug any USB devices and reboot. This usually fixes the problem. If not, try the next step.
2. Unplug USB devices and Enter the Lifecycle Controller. Untick the “Collect Hardware Inventory on Reboot”. Plug USB back in and reboot.
Note: the downside to option 2 is that it disables the automated system for sending hardware failures to Dell for Pro Support replacement.
Hopefully this helps someone else struggling with these issues.
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Problem
For some reason, the OS deploy fails and afterwards this message appears at boot: “Lifecycle Controller update required”. Manual install of OS and subsequent Lifecycle controller firmware update doesn’t help. Any attempt to enter the Lifecycle Controller results in the system ignoring your request and booting normally.
Solution
- First, you press F2 to enter system setup
- Then, go looking for the iDrac settings menu
- Enter it, and browse down to the Lifecycle Controller option
- Select Yes for the Cancel Lifecycle Controller Actions option.
- Finish, save settings and reboot.
If this doesn’t solve the problem, there is a Lifecycle Controller Repair Package available for download over at the Dell support site. I have yet to figure out how that thing works though, as the release notes are not available for download at the moment. I would suggest opening a support ticket if you have to go down this route. Microsoft office 2010 product key.
So you want to roll up your sleeves and maintain your own Dell PowerEdge server(s)? Well, you’re not alone – I had to do it and I made this post in hopes that someone will benefit from it too 🙂
Below are the details of the server and the firmware version that I used:
- Target Server: Dell PowerEdge R720 (PowerEdge Server Generation 12)
- Operating System: Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6.5
- Firmware Upgrade Package: 2016-11-01_11-43-39 (contains 127 firmware packages)
- Firmware Upgrade Package Release Date: Nov 1, 2016
Dell Lifecycle Controller Firmware
Theoretically, the steps mentioned here should work across the different models of the PowerEdge series – the only difference is the version of the Dell Lifecycle Controller (LCC) and firmware to be used.
In a nutshell, what I did was to update the Dell Lifecycle Controller, download an ISO that contains the complete set of firmware packages for the server model, and use it as a bootable medium to update the firmware. After it has finished, perform a warm reboot to complete any outstanding dependencies – and you’re done!
Nitty gritty details below. First section is a list of the steps to be done,  second section comprises of troubleshooting steps I took for errors encountered, and the last section shows the command line output of the each step
List of Steps
Step 1: Read the instructions listed on Dell’s website
Step 2: Download the Update Repository that suits your target server, from the link given in previous step
Step 3: Make a bootable medium (i.e. DVD or USB) with the Update Repository ISO downloaded in previous step
- I used the Rufus software as suggested by Dell (http://www.dell.com/support/article/sg/en/sgdhs1/SLN296810)
Step 4: If your server is later than Generation 11 (inclusive), update the LCC by:
- Finding the LCC software package by going to http://www.dell.com/support/
- Navigate to the correct Dell PowerEdge server model page
- In my case, the navigation was “Select a product > Servers, Storage, & Networking > PowerEdge > PowerEdge R720”
- Select “Drivers & downloads” and change the operating system to suit your target server (option is located right under the right header) to “Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6”
- Navigate to “iDRAC with Lifecycle controller (1 file)” and download the latest software package
- At time of post, it was “iDRAC-with-LifecycleController_Firmware_XTPX4_LN_2.41.40.40_A00.BIN”
- On the target server, open a terminal and navigate to the folder with the .BIN file
- Run the .BIN as an executable with root privileges (you will be prompted for password)
- $Â su -c ./iDRAC-with-…A00.BIN, or
- $ su
$ ./iDRAC-with-…A00.BIN
- Read and understand the instructions that appear on the screen, and accept it by pressing “q”
- The software will inventorize the server and show you the version of the iDRAC and LCC, and prompt you to continue with the installation
- Continue the upgrade if your version is outdated
Step 5: Reboot your server, and boot from bootable medium made in step 3
Dell Lifecycle Controller Firmware Update Ftp
- Restart server
- Insert bootable medium
- Press F11 to enter boot menu, select BIOS Boot Menu
- Choose the appropriate bootable medium from the list
Step 6: Let the firmware upgrade complete
- For each firmware in the Update Repository, it will inventorize the system and check if an upgrade is needed.
- The firmware is upgraded if the version installed is outdated
- Time taken will depend on server hardware specifications (Dell recommends to give it 1 hour to complete)
Step 7: Perform a warm reboot to allow any outstanding dependencies complete
Step 8: You’re done! 🙂
Troubleshooting Errors Encountered
Upgrading the iDRAC with Lifecycle Controller Firmware Fails
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- Error Message
- “This Update Package is not compatible with your system configuration”, or
- “Firmware update in progress, please wait 30 minutes before attempting to an update again.”
- Solution
- Shutdown server
- Remove flea current
- Restart server and try again (server may take longer to initialize the iDRAC software during boot)
Command Line Output
Installing the iDRAC with Lifecycle Controller in Host OS
# ./iDRAC-with-Lifecycle-Controller_firmware_XTFx4_LN_2.41.40.40_A00.BIN
Collecting inventory…
…………………………………….
Running validation Download gta v laptop.
Collecting inventory…
…………………………………….
Running validation Download gta v laptop.
iDRAC
The version of this Update Package is newer than the currently installed version.
Software application name: iDRAC
Package version: 2.41.40.40
Installed version: 1.56.55.00
Software application name: iDRAC
Package version: 2.41.40.40
Installed version: 1.56.55.00
Continue? Y/N: Y
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!
…………………………………………………………………….
Device: iDRAC
Application: iDRAC
Update Successful.
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!
…………………………………………………………………….
Device: iDRAC
Application: iDRAC
Update Successful.
The update completed successfully.
$ _
Successful Firmware UpgradeÂ
[76/127] Executing R720_Drivers-for-OS-Deploymen_Application_TD96J_LN_15.07.07_A00.BIN
Collecting inventory…
…………………………………………
Running validation…
Collecting inventory…
…………………………………………
Running validation…
OS Drivers Pack, 7.4.1.11, A00
The version of this Update Package is newer than the currently installed version.
Software application name: OS Drivers Pack, 7.4.1.11, A00
Package version: 15.07.07
Installed version: 7.4.1.11
Software application name: OS Drivers Pack, 7.4.1.11, A00
Package version: 15.07.07
Installed version: 7.4.1.11
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 update completed successfully.
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 update completed successfully.
Two types of Error Messages Seen During Firmware Upgrade
(Firmware not compatible with server, e.g. no relevant hardware installed. “Errors” are just like debug messages )Â
(Firmware not compatible with server, e.g. no relevant hardware installed. “Errors” are just like debug messages )Â
[34/127] – Executing SAS-Drive_Firmware_7TN7R_LN_S22F_A02.BIN
Collecting inventory…
…….
Inventory collection failed.
Collecting inventory…
…….
Inventory collection failed.
[35/127] – Executing Express_Flash_PCIe-SSD_FRMW_94M7Y_A06_B1491508.BIN
Collecting inventory…
Running validation…
This Update Package is not compatible with your system configuration.
Collecting inventory…
Running validation…
This Update Package is not compatible with your system configuration.
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