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Firmware Versions in the Fabric Interconnect and Cisco UCS Manager
You can only activate the fabric interconnect firmware and Cisco UCS Manager on the fabric interconnect.
The fabric interconnect and Cisco UCS Manager firmware do not have backup versions, because all the images
are stored on the fabric interconnect. As a result, the number of bootable fabric interconnect images is not
limited to two, like the server CIMC and adapters. Instead, the number of bootable fabric interconnect images
is limited by the available space in the memory of the fabric interconnect and the number of images stored
there.
The fabric interconnect and Cisco UCS Manager firmware have running and startup versions of the kernel
and system firmware. The kernel and system firmware must run the same versions of firmware.
Firmware Upgrades
Cisco UCS firmware is upgraded through a combination of the following methods:
• Direct upgrade at the endpoints. For a cluster configuration with two fabric interconnects, a direct upgrade
can be minimally disruptive to data traffic. However, it requires that the Cisco UCS domain does not
include firmware policies for those endpoints that you upgrade directly. You cannot avoid disruption to
traffic in a Cisco UCS domain with only one fabric interconnect.
Direct upgrade is not available for all endpoints, including the server BIOS, storage
controller, HBA firmware, and HBA option ROM. You must upgrade those endpoints
through the host firmware package included in the service profile associated with the
server.
Note
• Upgrades to server endpoints through service profiles that include a host firmware package, a management
firmware package, or both. This method can be disruptive to data traffic and should be performed during
a maintenance window.
The Cisco UCS Manager GUI does not allow you to choose options that a release does not support. If a
Cisco UCS domain includes hardware that is not supported in the release to which you are upgrading,
Cisco UCS Manager GUI does not display the firmware as an option for that hardware or allow you to
upgrade to it.
Note
Cautions, Guidelines, and Best Practices for Firmware Upgrades
Before you upgrade the firmware for any endpoint in a Cisco UCS domain, consider the following cautions,
guidelines, and best practices:
The Cisco UCS Manager GUI does not allow you to choose options that a release does not support. If a
Cisco UCS domain includes hardware that is not supported in the release to which you are upgrading,
Cisco UCS Manager GUI does not display the firmware as an option for that hardware or allow you to
upgrade to it.
Note
Cisco UCS Manager GUI Configuration Guide, Release 2.0
OL-25712-04 187
Firmware Upgrades