For example, I will update the firmware in the Intel XL710-QDA1 network adapter from version 6.01 (6.01) to 8.21 (8.15).
I installed the network adapter in an HPE DL380 Gen8 server running Ubuntu Server 18.04.
Immediately switched to the root user:
sudo -i
I downloaded the archive with the new firmware version and the update script from the official website:
https://downloadcenter.intel.com/download/24769/Non-Volatile-Memory-NVM-Update-Utility-for-Intel-Ethernet-Network-Adapter-700-Series
I unpacked the downloaded archive:
tar -zxvf 700Series_NVMUpdatePackage_v8_15_Linux.tar.gz
Launched the update script:
cd 700Series/Linux_x64
./nvmupdate64e
The screen displayed the following:
Intel(R) Ethernet NVM Update Tool
NVMUpdate version 1.35.42.7
Copyright (C) 2013 - 2020 Intel Corporation.
WARNING: To avoid damage to your device, do not stop the update or reboot or power off the system during this update.
Inventory in progress. Please wait [***.......]
Num Description Ver.(hex) DevId S:B Status
=== ================================== ============ ===== ====== ==============
01) Intel(R) Ethernet Converged 6.01(6.01) 1584 00:007 Update
Network Adapter XL710-Q1 available
Options: Adapter Index List (comma-separated), [A]ll, e[X]it
The update script offered to indicate in which network adapter you need to update the firmware or select all, well, in my case, only one network adapter was installed and I indicated “A”, and also agreed to create a backup copy of the installed firmware:
Enter selection: A
Would you like to back up the NVM images? [Y]es/[N]o: Y
Update in progress. This operation may take several minutes.
[**|.......]
Num Description Ver.(hex) DevId S:B Status
=== ================================== ============ ===== ====== ==============
01) Intel(R) Ethernet Converged 8.21(8.15) 1584 00:007 Update
Network Adapter XL710-Q1 successful
Reboot is required to complete the update process.
Tool execution completed with the following status: All operations completed successfully.
Press any key to exit.
After successfully updating the firmware on the Intel XL710-QDA1 network adapter, I rebooted the server:
reboot
I updated the firmware in the original network adapters (there was a sticker with a qr code) and in Chinese, I have not noticed a difference in the work of network adapters.
See how I did it in the video:
See also my articles:
Intel i40e driver update
Solution BUG: Bad page state in process kworker
Installing and updating the ixgbe driver
Silicom Intel XL710 firmware not updating
Please do _not_ use “sudo su”. This is such a common mistake. Either use “sudo -i” or plain “su -“.