Upgrading BlueField Software Components Using PLDM
The PLDM firmware update is a standardized protocol that enables out-of-band (OOO) firmware upgrades for devices by transferring firmware images between an update agent (e.g., the server's platform BMC) and target devices (i.e., NVIDIA® BlueField®-3). BlueField-3 firmware components can be upgraded using this method.
The BlueField-3 PLDM firmware image includes the following components: NIC firmware, ATF/UEFI, BMC firmware, and CEC firmware (i.e., does not include Arm OS or DOCA software). The BlueField-3 PLDM image is specific to each BlueField-3 SKU and can be downloaded from the NVIDIA DOCA Downloads page.
PLDM firmware update is supported in both NIC and DPU modes of operation.
In DPU mode, Linux runs on BlueField's Arm OS. The PLDM firmware update is handled by the /etc/acpi/actions/bf-upgrade script, which is triggered by an ACPI event.
In DPU mode, the PLDM firmware update requires the relevant credentials to upgrade the BlueField BMC and CEC firmware. To provide access to the BlueField BMC, users must update the /etc/bf-upgrade.conf local Arm OS file with the BlueField BMC credentials. The format for /etc/bf-upgrade.conf is the same as bf.cfg.
For more information, refer to the section "Customizing BlueField Software Deployment".
PLDM firmware update is possible only if the currently running version (i.e., the version to update from) is DOCA 2.9.0/BSP 4.9.0 or higher.
Note, server reboot will not restart the BlueField BMC, (BMC, CEC not applied).
The PLDM file can be downloaded from the NVIDIA DOCA Downloads page.
The BlueField must be restarted to apply the new firmware images. To restart BlueField:
Gracefully shut down the BlueField Arm OS.
Perform a server power cycle.
Alternatively, you can reboot the server instead of performing a power cycle using the following steps:
Gracefully shut down the BlueField Arm OS and wait until it completes.
NoteWithout a graceful shutdown of the BlueField Arm OS during a server reboot, the BlueField Arm side does not undergo a restart process (only the NIC firmware is applied).
Reboot the server (this applies ATF, UEFI, Arm OS, and NIC firmware).
Log into the BlueField BMC via Redfish and issue a restart (this applies the BlueField BMC and CEC firmware).
A server reboot does not restart the BlueField BMC, so the BMC and CEC firmware is not applied.