Updating the BIOS on Intel® Server Board M50CYP Family via UEFI - kcox-ByteSpeed/Test_Intel_Documentation GitHub Wiki

Updating the BIOS on Intel® Server Board M50CYP Family via UEFI

This tutorial provides step-by-step instructions to update the BIOS and firmware of the Intel® Server Board M50CYP Family using the uEFI System Update Package (SUP). The procedure described here applies to version R01.01.0009 and will generally work for later versions. Read documentation on Intel's site to ensure you meet the prerequisites and follow the instructions carefully to avoid any issues during the update process.

Here is a video featuring the steps outlined below. Click the image to watch the video on YouTube:


Prerequisites

  1. Hardware Requirements:

    • Intel® Server Board M50CYP Family
    • A USB flash drive (formatted to FAT32)
  2. Current System Software Stack:

    • System BIOS: R01.01.0008
    • ME Firmware: 04.04.04.301
    • BMC Firmware: 2.91.8a19dcde
    • FRUSDR: 0.46
    • Pmem: 2.2.0.1553
    • CPLD: v4P9

Ensure that your current system software stack matches these versions before proceeding. Failure to meet these requirements may result in an unsuccessful update. Refer to Intel's site for recommended software versions for updates beyond R01.01.0009

  1. Software Downloads:

Verify the integrity of the downloaded file using the SHA256 checksum on the site

Important Notes

  • Update Order: It is recommended to first update to firmware version R01.01.0008 before proceeding to R01.01.0009
  • Recovery Parameters: Use the -recovery parameter when updating certain firmware components, especially when dealing with specific System Volume Numbers (SVN)
  • Downgrade Restrictions: Downgrading BIOS or BMC firmware is generally not recommended and may require special procedures, including setting the PCH or BMC SVN Bypass jumper

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Prepare the USB Flash Drive
    • Unzip the contents of the downloaded update package
    • Copy all files to the root directory of a USB flash drive formatted with the FAT32 file system

Download BIOS and Firmware Update Package

  1. Boot into UEFI Shell

    • Insert the USB flash drive into any available USB port on the server
    • Reboot the server and press F2 during POST to access the BIOS Setup Utility
    • Navigate to Boot Manager and press Enter
    • Select UEFI Internal Shell
  2. Execute the Update

    • The update process will typically start automatically by executing the Startup.nsh script located on your USB drive
    • If the Startup.nsh script does not start automatically: Source
      • Use the command map -b to list all of the drives connected to the system
      • Review the output list and locate the drive that matches the size and model of your USB disk
      • Use the command fsx: (replace the x with the number corresponding to your USB disk found in the map -b output) to access your USB drive
      • Run ls to display the files in the mounted drive. You should see the contents of the USB drive, including the Startup.nsh script
      • Run the command Startup.nsh to manually start the update process
    • The system will update the BIOS, CPLD, BMC, FRUSDR, and Pmem firmware components
    • Do not interrupt or power off the system once the update process begins. The screen will remain off, and the ID LED will turn solid blue during the update
    • The system will reboot automatically after the update is complete, which may take approximately 12 minutes
    • Remove the USB after the update is complete
  3. Post-Update Verification

    • After the update and reboot, press F2 during POST to access the BIOS Setup Utility
    • Verify the BIOS revision matches the updated version
    • Navigate to SERVER MANAGEMENT > SYSTEM INFORMATION to verify the BMC, ME, SDR, and CPLD firmware revisions
    • Alternatively, boot into the EFI shell and run sysfwupdt.efi -i to verify the active firmware versions

Special Procedures

  • Custom BIOS Update: If updating to a custom BIOS file (R01010008_CAPSULE_ITK.cap), first run the standard update procedure using Startup.nsh. After completion, flash the custom BIOS using the UpdBIOS_CYP_CAP.nsh script.
  • Re-flashing Specific Components: After the initial update, individual components can be updated using specific scripts like UpdBIOS_CYP.nsh, UpdCPLD_CYP.nsh, etc. Ensure the system has been initially updated before using these standalone scripts.

Warnings

  • Do Not Interrupt: Interrupting the update process can render your system inoperable
  • Do Not Downgrade: Avoid downgrading the system software as it may also cause system failure

Following these instructions will help ensure a successful BIOS and firmware update on the Intel® Server Board M50CYP Family. Always refer to the included release notes for detailed information on any known issues and additional guidance.

Sources

Revision History

Revision Date Comments Author
1.0 08/13/2024 Initial release of BIOS and Firmware Update Tutorial for Intel® Server Board M50CYP Family. Keegan Cox
1.1 08/14/2024 Added media and proofed process Keegan Cox
⚠️ **GitHub.com Fallback** ⚠️