Running A Repository ISO – Part 2

UPDATE: Here is a list of pre-made ISOs updated about once a month: https://crtech.tips/bootable-firmware-repository-isos/

Welcome to the Part 2 tutorial for updating your Dell PowerEdge System via Dell Repository Manager!

If you missed Part 1 it is right HERE.

Ok, now that you are all caught up and your ISO has been created, let’s get the ISO onto some bootable media so we can begin updating the firmware on the system.

Here are our options:

1. Burn the ISO to a DVD using software to make it bootable – I personally use ImgBurn, you can find How To videos online
Website: https://www.imgburn.com/

2. Burn the ISO to a USB Thumb Drive using software that will make it bootable – I use free software called Rufus to do this task.
Website: https://rufus.akeo.ie/
How To: https://crtech.tips/updating-firmware-through-bootable-usb-key/

3. Use the Drac5, iDrac6, or iDrac7 to virtual mount the ISO to the system and boot to it
How To: https://crtech.tips/mounting-iso-in-idrac7/

The easiest of these would be to virtual mount the ISO via iDrac. This way we take out factors that could cause problems:
-Bad burn to DVD or USB Key
-Faulty USB Port or DVD Drive
-Faulty DVD or USB Key

Anyway, once you have chosen your method, it is time to create maintenance window. Yes, you read that right, this is not a quick update. The ISO can take 45 minutes to 1 hour to run through all the updates!

Ok, now that you have scheduled down time for your system, let’s launch our ISO during POST. Choose the F11 key to boot into the BIOS Boot Manager on the Dell splash screen.

Navigate to your bootable device (USB Key, DVD, or Virtual CD/DVD) and press Enter

Our ISO should load to this screen:

The Deployment Toolkit CD will automatically load after 10 seconds or you can press 1 then press Enter if you are inpatient

Fun Fact: Each period or dot is a script running

If you haven’t noticed by now… the ISO is not very user friendly. The firmware starts installing and the waiting begins. In REPO Managers earlier days, it used to only display periods and dots. Dell updated the software so it says 1/80 or 106/107 firmware executing, so you actually know what’s going on.

Once it finishes it will prompt you to reboot

On the reboot the system will apply the updates in the LifeCycle Controller. Once the updates are finished applying the system will reboot again and load to the OS.

I have heard that sometimes you have to run the DVD multiple times for all the updates to apply. I have not seen this yet. Just be sure to check OMSA or iDrac to verify that all your firmware is updated.

Also note that this does not update the drivers in the Operating System. Make sure to update those as needed. You don’t want your firmware all the way up to date and your drivers out of date. That’s like someone trying to speak to a German in English – some stuff will get through, but there could be issues down the road.