T640 Rollback

Question

I have a T640 with Bios ver 2.17.1. The Lifecycle Controller version is 6.10.30.20.

Using the iDrac web interface, Looking in the Maintenance -> System Update -> Rollback,

I see ONLY "Dell integrated remote access controller" version 3.21.21.21 available.

So, looks like I can rollback from 6.10.30.20 to 3.21.21.21 ???

However reading the release notes for Version 6.10.30.20 it says :

"

Minimum version

Updating iDRAC firmware from a previous version, such as 3.2x, 3.1x, 3.0x to this version is not supported. Update the firmware to version 3.30.30.30 first, and then update to this version."

Obviously previous owner upgraded from 3.21.21.21 to 6.10.30.20 directly.

So the Questions is ... Is it safe to rollback from 6.10.30.20 to 3.21.21.21 ???

DELL-Young E · Accepted Answer

Hello, I think you can try DC license before buying it if you want.

https://www.dell.com/support/kbdoc/en-au/000176472/idrac-cmc-openmanage-enterprise-openmanage-integration-with-microsoft-windows-admin-center-openmanage-integration-with-servicenow-and-dpat-trial-licenses

Respectfully,

DELL-Rey G · Answer

My first question would be why roll back?
if you really want to go down to that level, you would probably have to step it down a few versions at a time.
if you go to this link, then scroll down to other available versions, you will see a list of versions. I would work my way back 2 or 3 versions at a time. Very time consuming.

iDRAC 7.00.00.181 | Driver Details | Dell US

Rey
@#Iwork4Dell

Bronco99 · Answer

@DELL-Rey G​  I have 3 other T640's with 3.21.21.21. Currently with the Enterprise license I can control the LFM per slot as I have third party cards that have different cooling needs .  6.x requires a Data-center license.   Ok ... The only rollback 'Available' package shown is 3.21.21.21  and you are saying not to use it. Instead load each lower version one step at a time.... If in this process I brick the iDRAC, can I utilize the FW recovery procedure via the SD card with  the firmimgFIT.d9 package from the previous working version???? I am asking because as I read the docs it seem to only work with a missing boot loader (Flashing blue Light).  Or will it always read the SD card and load the firmimgFIT.d9???? Or can I force it to???? Thank you for your quick response. I appreciate you taking the time to help.....

DELL-Rey G · Answer

@Bronco99​ you dont have to go back one at a time, but it would probably be safer. I have personally never used the recovery process with the firmimgFIT.d9 file, but its looks straightforward. The boot process should pick it up because you can set the boot process. Rey#IworkDell

DELL-Young E · Answer

In my opinion I think you need to use outdated firmware to accommodate your 3rd party cards, so you can try to do step down downgrades and hope for the best

if you brick iDRAC we have an article on recovery here https://www.dell.com/support/kbdoc/en-au/000120131/poweredge-idrac-recovery-procedure-with-firmimg-d7

Respectfully,

Bronco99 · Answer

@DELL-Young E​  Thank you for the reply. I have found the dual SD card reader (RT6JG) on ebay and have in coming just in case. As I read the doc, it appears the firmimgFIT.d9 is an image and not a bootable item. So it appears unless the boot loader is missing from the iDrac internal flash it may not look for the firmimgFIT.d9 on the sd card. I have looked for settings to to force it to load the image in the bios but I seem to only be able to force the SD card reader to become the boot device. Is my assumption correct or is there a way for force the iDrac to load that image on boot regardless of its health??? Again .. Thank you for taking the time to help. PS. I am a retired IT Manager. My Personal collection starts with the 8th Generation.

DELL-Charles R · Answer

Hello,

It looks like this is as far back as you can downgrade:

4.40.40.00, A0007 Jun 2021

https://www.dell.com/support/home/en-us/drivers/driversdetails?driverid=1r1y2&oscode=wst14&productcode=poweredge-t640&src=o

NOTE: iDRAC 9 Enterprise will not downgrade from 4.40.40.00 to 4.40.10.00

https://www.dell.com/community/en/conversations/systems-management-general/idrac-9-enterprise-will-not-downgrade-from-4404000-to-4401000/66b27a7740d71075c417d665

Bronco99 · Answer

@DELL-Charles R​  Thank you for the info..... Wow .. Good to know... Yea the servers are not under my pillow...... Fan noise is not an issue here. First thing I put in the new house drawings was a Server Room in the basement. For example ...  With the GTX-1660 in my grandson's (He is 10 years old)  T640 (Gaming Machine) we need to run the fans at approx 56-60 pwm to keep the GPU under 75c.  I just don't want them to run at 100% all the time. Ok one last question... Can you verify that I will have 'PCIe airflow customization (LFM)' option with a Datacenter license as indicated on page 28 ->https://dl.dell.com/content/manual24574503-integrated-dell-remote-access-controller-9-user-s-guide.pdf?language=en-us I know things change, just want to make sure this option is still available per the manual before I dig into the wife's piggy bank....   Thank you all for your help.....

Bronco99 · Answer

@DELL-Young E​  Thank you all for your help ... !!!!

Bronco99 · Answer

@DELL-Young E​  Sorry for the delay ... I did install the trial DataCenter License, however the LFM per port GUI did not appear.  Config->system settings->hardware settings->fan configuration->PCIe air flow settings  Like it does on 3.21.21.21 Using RACADM, on a slot that has a third party card and recognized as a third party card, I can set LFMMode to custom, however trying to set the CustomLFM value returns an error.    Querying the help on system.pcieslotlfm I get: racadm help system.pcieslotlfm   3rdPartyCard              -- 3rd Party PCIe Card may benefit from additional settings   Usage                     -- 0-No; 1-Yes; 2-N/A; Default - 2   Required License          -- RACADM   Dependency                -- None   CardType                  -- Type of PCIe card installed   Usage                     -- String of up to 512 ASCII characters   Required License          -- RACADM   Dependency                -- None   CustomLFM                 -- Minimum airflow to be delivered the installed PCIe card   Usage                     -- Integral values from 0 to 5000   Required License          -- 14g Thermal   Dependency                -- CustomLFM is read/write when LFMMode is set to custom   LFMMode                   -- Cooling Response Mode   Usage                     -- 0-Automatic; 1-Disabled; 2-Custom; Default - 0   Required License          -- RACADM    Dependency                -- LFMMode is read/write when 3rdPartyCard is set to Yes    So it appears that to set a CustomLFM value: 'Required License          -- 14g Thermal '. How do I get a 14g thermal license???

DELL-Young E · Answer

'we need to run the fans at approx 56-60 pwm to keep the GPU under 75c.  I just don't want them to run at 100% all the time.'   That can be achieved without any licenses -all you have to do is to set fan offset,it limits the lower speed          So this way fans speed will be between 60-100% PWM.

Bronco99 · Answer

@DELL-Young E​  Yes that may would work IF the fan were not already running at 100% with a third party card installed....   Please ... Lets try again..... iDARC9 Version 6.x provides for PCIe airflow customization (LFM) Stated on page 26 https://dl.dell.com/content/manual32079624-integrated-dell-remote-access-controller-9-user-s-guide.pdf?language=en-us   Requires Datacenter License per the chart.  I have looked at all of the Version 6.x release notes and I do not see where it was depreciated. Also iDARC9 Version 7.x provides for PCIe airflow customization (LFM) Stated on page 28 indicating it is still an option. https://dl.dell.com/content/manual32724001-idrac9-user-s-guide.pdf?language=en-us  The dashboard for PCIe Airflow settings looks like this on page 7. https://dl.dell.com/manuals/common/poweredge_pcie_cooling.pdf   This Video also indicates a Datacenter License allows third-party air flow control (@ 1:34) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ig8pRB-sSzk It is expected that this 'State of the Art Dashboard' should appear with a Datacenter License installed.  The error encountered in RACADM in above post leads me to believe something else is needed.    If you do not know why the 'State of the Art Dashboard' is not showing .... Can you please ask a Dell Engineer????  As always your help is much appreciated.....

DELL-Young E · Answer

I believe it is best you open a case with support so that they can investigate further. It could be specific to your system or the video link you showed us is from a few years back, so the information there may not be up-to-date.

Another thing I can suggest is, maybe you could get a Dell branded GPU if you haven't?

Also something simlilar to the dashboards you wanted might be PCIe Card Cooling with Dell EMC PowerEdge Servers

PowerEdge Hardware General

T640 Rollback

Minimum version

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