After upgrading your APIC firmware it is best practice to check the release notes for a list of supported CIMC firmware versions. This post will show you how to upgrade your CIMC firmware  using the KVM from the CIMC GUI.

Prerequisites

1. Log into the CIMC and find which APIC hardware you have.

Upgradethe CIMC Firmware for an APIC

2. Make sure all the APIC controllers are “fully fit” in the ACI GUI and functioning properly (no critical faults) before starting the upgrade. During the upgrade the APIC will reboot. Wait until the process has completed and the APIC is fully fit again before starting the next upgrade.

3. The upgrade goes relatively quickly. If completing from a local PC it should only take around 20-30 minutes depending on the speed of your links.

4. You will need a browser that supports Java. In order to access the CIMC GUI, depending on your current CIMC firmware, you might have to downgrade your Java version and you may even have to lower the TLS settings inside the browser, especially in much older versions.

5. Check the APIC release notes to verify which CIMC software is recommended for your APIC firmware and hardware. The latest version is not always recommended. If you have any concerns it is always best to contact CISCO TAC. Cisco APIC Release Notes

Upgrades

Now that you’ve gone through the prerequisites and verified that your system is ready for the Cisco CIMC Firmware Upgrade 3.0, you’re ready to get to the upgrade itself. The process is surprisingly simple as long as you follow these steps:

1. After verifying the prerequisites download the CIMC HUU ISO file:

a. Navigate to the Cisco Software Download page.

b. Click Browse all

c. Select:
· Servers – Unified Computing
· UCS C-Series Rack-Mount Standalone Server Software
· The model of your server
· Unified Computing System (UCS) Server Firmware

d. Select the required release

e. Click the download icon

Upgrading the CIMC firmware for an APIC

2. Begin the remote upgrading using the KVM Console

a. On your browser log into your CIMC.

b. Click Launch KVM Console on the Server Summary page.
· This will download a .jnlp file· Open with javaws (Java Web Start Launcher)

c. Once the KVM launches
· For firmware 2.X and earlier
· Click the Virtual Media tab
· Add Image…
· Navigate to where you saved the HUU ISO and open it
· In the Client View Pane, click the Mapped check box next to the ISO you just added
· Wait for it to finish mapping under the Details pane
· For firmware 3.X
· Click Virtual Media from the toolbar
· Click Activate Virtual Devices


· Check Accept this Session and Apply


· Click Virtual Media again
· Click Map CD/DVD
· Navigate to where you saved the HUU ISO and open it
· Click Map Device

d. Once your ISO is mapped
· Click Macros from the tool bar
· Select Static Macros
· Click CTRL-ALT-DEL

e. This will reboot the controller

3. During the boot process you will need to press F6, when you see the prompt, to enter the boot menu. This will allow you to select the mapped HUU ISO to boot from.

a. Once inside the boot menu select the ISO you mapped

b. It should be labeled Cisco vKVM-Mapped vDVDX.XX


· Sometimes the boot menu will show multiple Mapped Devices with the exact same name and version number. Select the first in the list. If it does not boot into the Host Upgrade Utility just reboot from the KVM again, enter the Boot Menu and select the next KVM Mapped Device.

c. Once you see the Cisco UCS Host Upgrade Utility page give it some time. It needs to extract the ISO and then copy the files.

d. Once it finishes you will see a Cisco End User License Agreement.
· Click Agree to continue the upgrade
· Click Disagree to cancel the upgrade and reboot

e. Once inside the HUU click Update All
· It is recommended to update all components rather than only one

f. After you select Update All you may receive a prompt for Secure Boot. Select No.
· For a better understanding of the CIMC Secure Boot please refer to the Cisco IMC Secure Boot Mode document.

g. Your upgrade will now start

h. Wait until all components have successfully upgraded and then click exit. This will reboot the server.
· During the process you may lose connection to the KVM. If you see a green screen inside the HUU window do not manually close out. You may end up interrupting the upgrade process. Wait for a message telling you that your connection has been closed.

i. Finally, once the upgrade has been completed and the server reboots, log back into the CIMC GUI and verify your current firmware.
· From the main screen click:
· Admin
· Firmware Management
· Then under Cisco IMC Firmware Running Version: X.X(XX)

j. Verify the APIC is once again fully fit in the ACI GUI after completion of the upgrade process before beginning the next APIC upgrade.

Taking care of a CIMC upgrade as soon as you can is the best way to keep your network secure and ensure that your company can run at top efficiency levels. This will help streamline your company’s IT processes and makes future updates easier to manage.

Need Help?

Download The CISCO APIC CIMC Firmware Upgrade Doc here > 

If you’re struggling to implement changes to your company’s IT department, remember, you don’t have to do it on your own. Request a workshop today and let our team walk you through the process to get your department up-to-date and running at top speed.