Generally, a BIOS update should only be performed if a system causes problems or if new security updates for the system are installed by a BIOS update.
With a BIOS update, the default settings are restored. If you have made changes, these must be set manually again after the update.
For Supermicro systems, you can get the BIOS from the manufacturer's website by either searching for the server itself or the mainboard. Alternatively, there is also a BIOS list directly on the website.
Supermicro Website, additional remark added by us (Source: supermicro.com)
On the download page of the BIOS, you can find release notes, which list changes that have been made in this BIOS version. Also, important information is often listed there, e.g. with AMD EPYC servers, which mainboard revisions are supported, or whether a special flash process is necessary.
Supermicro Website, additional remark added by us (Source: supermicro.com)
Once the download is complete, there are several ways to flash the BIOS, the easiest is probably via the IPMI web interface. This allows you to update the BIOS remotely. This requires a license for some systems, called an OOB license, but on many Supermicro systems, this license is already included.
Update via IPMI WebGUI
Supermicro has a new web interface on many systems, so your interface may differ from the example picture. However, the principle is always the same.
In the BIOS download is a 16MB or 32MB file, which ends in .bin on the newer Supermicro systems. If it does not end in .bin, then usually in a number sequence like e.g. .625 the file extension resembles a datestamp.
This file must be uploaded and flashed via the web interface, the rest of the flashing process is relatively self-explanatory as you only have to click through menus. To do a full flash, options like Preserve NVRAM and Preserve SMBIOS should be unchecked.
After a reboot, the BIOS should be on the latest version. The BIOS is reset when flashing, if you have made BIOS settings, they must be restored.
Update via USB stick
The update via USB stick is a little bit different depending on the system, newer systems need an IPMI user and password. Starting from H12 and X12 mainboards it can already be the new procedure. If one of the steps differs, it is always worth taking a look at the Supermicro manual, which is included in the download.
Otherwise, the entire contents of the download must be copied to a FAT32 formatted USB stick, this USB stick is then connected to the system. The system must then boot into the "Integrated EFI:SHELL" via a modified boot order when booting. If the BIOS is set to Legacy, the integrated EFI shell does NOT appear as a boot option, the Boot Mode Select should be set to DUAL or UEFI.
In the EFI shell, the USB stick must be mounted first, this works simply by using the command "fs0:". You may also have to enter "fs1:" or "fs2:", the USB stick may move to a different location depending on whether other file systems are recognized. When starting the EFI shell, all connected drives are also listed
With "cd path\to\update" you have to change to the BIOS download. Use the command "dir" to display the current directory to make sure you are in the correct folder.
The final command for flashing is then "flash.nsh <BIOS FILE>". , this process must not be aborted. The system may need to reboot once and reboot into the EFI shell to complete the update process. The BIOS update is finished when the script prompts you to power cycle the server.
Starting from H12/X12 it can be that the flash process is different, please check this in the download. There should be a command example file in the download. The command is then " flash.nsh [BIOS ROM FILE] [BMC USERNAME] [BMC PASSWORD] " For this then the BMC user and password are needed.
After a reboot, the BIOS should be on the latest version. The BIOS is reset when flashing, if you have made BIOS settings, these must be restored.