New Project - Supermicro IPMI 2.0 BIOS Update Live CD

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Patrick

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Dec 21, 2010
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I have to flash two more Supermicro X9SCx series motherboards this week, and had a realization, I needed an easy to use DOS LiveCD image.

Project goal: Create an easy to use CD for over IPMI updating.

IMPORTANT Note: There are no representations or warranties with this LiveCD. In fact, it is probably best not to use it as errors in the BIOS and firmware updating process may cause permanent failure of components. By downloading this file to share or to use it in your system you are assuming all risk. Bottom line - there is risk that you are assuming when you download and use this.

Current Release: Beta Version 0.1
Base Directory for Motherboard BIOS Flashing Files:

  • \FLASH\
BIOS Included:
  • X9SCM2.917
  • X9SCM2.608 (Version 2.0a BIOS)
  • X9SCM1.xxx (Version 1.1a BIOS)
Motherboards Supported:

  • Supermicro X9SCM
  • Supermicro X9SCM-F
  • Supermicro X9SCL
  • Supermicro X9SCL-F
  • Supermicro X9SCL+-F

Base Directory for Motherboard BIOS Flashing Files:

  • \LSI\
  • For LSI SAS 2008 Based Files - \LSI\sas2008\
  • For LSI SAS 2108 Based Files - \LSI\sas2108\

Supermicro Motherboard Flashing Steps:

  1. Download ISO
  2. Mount ISO through IPMI
  3. Boot from IPMI CD-ROM
  4. Wait until you get to the A:> prompt
  5. Type C:
  6. That should take you to the C:> Prompt, now type cd FLASH
  7. Type ami.bat X9SCM2.608
  8. Reboot
  9. Wait until you get to the A:> prompt
  10. Type C:
  11. That should take you to the C:> Prompt, now type cd FLASH
  12. Type ami2.bat x9scm2.608

Get the ISO (at your own risk): Here

Thoughts, comments, guides below.
 
Last edited:

Patrick

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OK have a version that works with the X9SCM-F, X9SCL-F and X9SCL+-F!

Will post it soon with instructions.
 

Patrick

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OK here is where I got to last evening.

Impact of this is that using this ISO I managed to flash a X9SCM-F to v2.0a BIOS. Then managed to cross-flash the IBM ServeRAID M5014 to LSI 9260-8i firmware using the same ISO.
 

Patrick

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Guide going up on the main site tomorrow for this including screenshots.
 

hatbrox

New Member
Jul 28, 2011
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Hi,

I followed the instruction but got an error at step 7 (ami.bat X9SCM2.608)
This is what I get on the MS DOS screen:

File not found AFUDOSU.SMC
SMBIOS tool. ver. 1.03
save SMBIOS.
success.
run-time error R6001
- null pointer assignment
BIOS Checking tool. ver. 1.09
then the cursor keeps blinking for about a 1 minute
then I get the AMI Firmware Update Utility "presentation"
below it, I see:
Reading file...Done
FFS checksums...OK
then a lot of extra commands with erasing/writing/verifying all end up with "Done"
finally I'm asked to reboot and use AMI2.BAT
then some more:
File creation error
write protect error (2X)
Extended Error 65

Anyway, I rebooted but was not able to boot on MS DOS. I get this error: Reboot and select proper boot device or insert boot media in selected boot device and press a key

I rebooted and entered the BIOS. I noticed that the BIOS version is now 2.0a.
I went to the boot menu of the BIOS and noticed that the IPMI Virtual CDROM device was not available anymore. I see an other device called IPMI Virtual Disk 3000.
I plug out the ISO image, turned off the computer, plug in the ISO again, restarted. But still no IPMI Virtual CDROM device.


will it be a problem to miss out step 12?

Still a bummer that I lost the IPMI virtual ISO. I had planned to re-install windows
 

hatbrox

New Member
Jul 28, 2011
15
1
3
some update:
I can boot windows normally. no problem so far. Although I still can get the IPMI virtual CDROM recognized in the BIOS, I do see it in windows!!!
I tried a windows bootable ISO and have the same problem: nothing in BIOS, visible in windows.

still wondering if this has something to do with not doing step 12....

I have to say, that this whole process was rather scary when things started to go wrong. I don't mind loosing the IPMI virtual CDROM, I still have an external USB DVD Drive.
 
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hatbrox

New Member
Jul 28, 2011
15
1
3
for those who also have the Supermicro AOC-SAS2LP-MV8 HBA, don't update the motherboard BIOS. Any HDD connected to this HBA will drop after a few minutes. This BIOS is a disaster...
I hope I can downgrade back...

Update: I reflashed the bios using a USB pen drive and everything went fine. AOC-SAS2LP-MV8 HBA work fine again. HDD's seem stable so far.
 
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DBordello

Member
Jan 11, 2013
43
0
6
This looks great! Exactly what I am looking for.

Any chance of getting this update to include x9scm2.917

It appears that the version of the BIOS I am using is reporting "corrupt" model strings to VMWare ESXi:

http://i.imgur.com/CMe9v.png

Dan
 

Patrick

Administrator
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Dec 21, 2010
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Ok it's there... not sure looks like something is new though.
 

GeScorpion

New Member
Feb 17, 2013
3
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Kiev, Ukraine
Will work on this. I'm out of town until Tuesday.
Can tou tell me, where can I download that files:

\LSI\
For LSI SAS 2008 Based Files - \LSI\sas2008\
For LSI SAS 2108 Based Files - \LSI\sas2108\

I can do bootable flash but I do not have empty *.bin files and Flasher with correct version to do all I need.
 

GeScorpion

New Member
Feb 17, 2013
3
0
0
Kiev, Ukraine
Respected Patrick, please tell me whether there after flash support RAID 6 for 5014? Does reduced to 256 memory on this? Hardware key on the controller is not present.
 

whimar

New Member
Mar 12, 2013
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0
I very much appreciate you putting together this CD and instructions.

Having followed them on after step 7 I immediately received an error:

Extended Error 65

It then proceeded all the way down to the line BIOS Checking tool Ver 1.09 and didn't budge (I left it for an hour).

I then crossed my fingers and restarted the server as I could not leave it there indefinitely. In the BIOS it now says v2.0a; however I am not sure if the upgrade completed correctly and if I should move onto the additional steps. I have 40 servers in total that need to be updated.

Any advice appreciated hugely.
 

TheBay

New Member
Feb 25, 2013
220
1
0
UK
I very much appreciate you putting together this CD and instructions.

Having followed them on after step 7 I immediately received an error:

Extended Error 65

It then proceeded all the way down to the line BIOS Checking tool Ver 1.09 and didn't budge (I left it for an hour).

I then crossed my fingers and restarted the server as I could not leave it there indefinitely. In the BIOS it now says v2.0a; however I am not sure if the upgrade completed correctly and if I should move onto the additional steps. I have 40 servers in total that need to be updated.

Any advice appreciated hugely.
Same thing happened to me, Then I tried one of the other batch files and it worked. But can't remember which one.