About Xserve G5 Firmware Update Version 5.1.7f1

The Xserve G5 Firmware Update 5.1.7f1 will run only on Xserve G5 systems. This updater can be run remotely (using SSH) as the root user or locally from the Finder if your system has a video card and you have a keyboard and monitor connected to the system. In either case, you must have physical access to the server at the time of the update. The system must be unlocked and an Open Firmware password must not be active at the time of the update.

To upgrade the firmware on your Xserve G5, follow the steps below. You can print these instructions so they are available while you upgrade your firmware. (The first set of instructions covers updating the firmware using a remote computer. The second set covers updating locally.)

Updating the Xserve G5 firmware using a remote computer

1. If you downloaded the update using the Software Update Preference Pane or softwareupdate command line tool, the Xserve G5 Firmware Update application is located in /Applications/Utilities. If you downloaded the update from Apple's web site, copy the Xserve G5 Firmware Update from the disk image you downloaded to the /Applications/Utilities folder on the startup disk of the Xserve G5 system to be updated.
   
   Type the command below to copy the update file:
   
   % sudo cp -R /Volumes/{Path to Updater}/Xserve\\ Firmware\\ Updater /Applications/Utilities/
   
   
2. Notify all users of the server that services will be interrupted briefly and the server will be restarted. (The system must be restarted to complete the firmware update and any users logged into the server will be disconnected.)
   
   
3. Stop all services that are running using the Server Admin application. (Do not restart the server.)
   
   
4. From a remote computer, use the Terminal application to log into the Xserve G5 system as root user using SSH. (See Mac Help if you need instructions.)
   
   
5. Run the updater by typing the following command:
   
   % /Applications/Utilities/Xserve\\ Firmware\\ Updater.app/Contents/MacOS/Xserve\\ Firmware\\ Updater -r
   
   If your system's firmware needs to be updated the Xserve G5 Firmware Updater will display instructions (in English, in the Terminal window) and shut down your system. If your firmware is up to date or if an error occurs, that information will be sent to the Terminal window.
   
   
6. Indicate your approval by typing "y" in the Terminal window to proceed with the update.
   
   
7. Once the Xserve G5 system has shut down, press and hold the power button until the blue system activity lights flash repeatedly; then release the power button.
   
   When you release the power button, the update starts automatically. Do not interrupt or power off the system while it is updating the firmware.
   
   
8. After the update is complete, your system shuts down but will restart automatically after a short pause.
   

Once the computer has restarted you can run the Xserve G5 Firmware Updater again to verify that the firmware was successfully updated; or check the firmware revision using Apple System Profiler (system_profiler command in Terminal). Your Xserve G5 should be at firmware revision 5.1.7f1. (If your Xserve G5 is still at firmware revision 5.1.6 or 5.1.7f0, repeat the firmware update procedure.)


Updating the Xserve G5 firmware locally, using a connected keyboard and monitor

1. If you downloaded the update using the Software Update Preference Pane or softwareupdate command line tool, the Xserve G5 Firmware Update application is located in /Applications/Utilities. If you downloaded the update from Apple's web site, copy the Xserve G5 Firmware Update from the disk image you downloaded to the /Applications/Utilities folder on the startup disk of the Xserve G5 system to be updated.
   
   
2. Notify all users of the server that services will be interrupted briefly and the server will be restarted. (The system must be restarted to complete the firmware update and any users logged into the server will be disconnected.)
   
   
3. Stop all services that are running using the Server Admin application. (Do not restart the server.)
   
   
4. Open the firmware updater.
   
   
5. Click Shut Down in the Firmware Update window to turn off your computer. Wait for your computer to shut down, saving changes if necessary.
   
   
6. Once the Xserve G5 system has shut down, press and hold the power button until the blue system activity lights flash repeatedly; then release the power button.
   
   When you release the power button, the update starts automatically. Do not interrupt or power off the system while it is updating the firmware. A status bar shows the progress of the update.
   
   
7. After the update is complete, your system shuts down but will restart automatically after a short pause. A message reports that your computer's firmware has been successfully updated to version 5.1.7f1. If you do not see this message or the update version is not 5.1.7f1, repeat the update procedure.
   

For more information, go to www.apple.com/support and search for Xserve.