Overview
Cisco UCS server BIOS, MLOM, and CIMC software updates may be made available from time to time.
Utilities have been added to the AutoIT software module to simplify the process of upgrading the UCS server software (firmware) within the Ultra M solution.
These utilities are available through a script called ultram_ucs_utils.py located in the /opt/cisco/usp/ultram-manager directory. Refer to ultram_ucs_utils.py Help for more information on this script.
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This functionality is currently supported only with Ultra M deployments based on OSP 10 or OSP 13 and that leverage the Hyper-Converged architecture.
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UCS server utilities are provided through the AutoIT software module which is deployed as a VM on the Ultra M Manager Node. As such, AutoIT must be deployed prior to using the utilities.
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You should only upgrade your UCS server software to versions that have been validated for use within the Ultra M solution.
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All UCS servers within the Ultra M solution stack should be upgraded to the same firmware versions.
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Though it is highly recommended that all server upgrades be performed during a single maintenance window, it is possible to perform the upgrade across multiple maintenance windows based on Node type (e.g. Compute, OSD Compute, and Controller).
There are two upgrade scenarios:
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Upgrading servers in an existing deployment. In the scenario, the servers are already in use hosting the Ultra M solution stack. This upgrade procedure is designed to maintain the integrity of the stack.
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Compute Nodes are upgraded in parallel.
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OSD Compute Nodes are upgraded sequentially.
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Controller Nodes are upgraded sequentially.
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Upgrading bare metal servers. In this scenario, the bare metal servers have not yet been deployed within the Ultra M solution stack. This upgrade procedure leverages the parallel upgrade capability within the UCS utilities to upgrade the servers in parallel.
To use the UCS utilities to upgrade software for UCS servers in an existing deployment:
To use UItra M Manager UCS utilities to upgrade software for bare metal UCS servers: