KB 921473 - ASUS BIOS & BMC Access, Firmware Updates, and Hardware Information Collection

KB 921473 - ASUS BIOS & BMC Access, Firmware Updates, and Hardware Information Collection

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ASUS BIOS & BMC Access, Firmware Updates, and Hardware Information Collection

 Overview

This report provides a comprehensive technical summary of procedures performed on ASUS hardware platforms. The scope includes essential system management and maintenance tasks:

  • Entering BIOS
  • Accessing BMC (ASMB/ASPEED IPMI)
  • Updating BIOS
  • Updating BMC firmware
  • Collecting FRU (Field Replaceable Unit) information
  • Collecting sensor data
  • Collecting system hardware inventory

Applicability

These procedures apply to:

  • ASUS RS/ESC series servers
  • ASUS workstations
  • Any ASUS platform equipped with ASMB9/10/11 BMC modules

 

  1. Entering BIOS on an ASUS System

  1. Procedure
    1. Power on or reboot the system.
    2. When the ASUS logo appears, press DEL or F2 repeatedly.
    3. The system will load the UEFI BIOS Setup Utility.
  2. Result
    1. Successful access to BIOS configuration menus, including:
      1. CPU settings
      2. Memory configuration
      3. Boot options
      4. Server management
      5. BMC (Baseboard Management Controller) configuration

  3. Accessing ASUS BMC (IPMI Web Interface)

  4. Procedure
    1. Connect the BMC LAN port to the network.
    2. Enter BIOS → Server Mgmt → BMC Network Configuration.
    3. Obtain the BMC IP address (via DHCP or Static assignment).

    1. Open a web browser and enter the URL:
    2. https://
    3. Log in using valid credentials.

  1. Result
    1. Successful login to the ASUS BMC WebGUI, providing access to:
      1. Health monitoring
      2. Firmware update utilities
      3. Remote console (KVM over IP)
      4. System hardware inventory

  1. Updating BIOS

      Method A — Using EZ Flash (Internal BIOS Utility)

  1. Steps:    
    • Download the latest BIOS .CAP file from the manufacturer’s support page.
    • Copy the file to a USB drive formatted as FAT32.
    • Restart the system and enter BIOS Setup.
    • Navigate to Tool → EZ Flash Utility.
    • Select the USB device, choose the BIOS file, and confirm the update.
    • System reboots and completes flashing.

  1. Result:
    1. BIOS successfully updated through the onboard utility.

      Method B — Using BMC WebGUI (Remote Update)

  1. Steps:
    1. Log in to the BMC WebGUI with administrator credentials.
    2. Navigate to Maintenance → BIOS Update.
    3. Upload the BIOS file (.CAP) from your local system.
    4. Initiate the flash process and allow the system to reboot automatically.

  1. Result:
    1. Remote BIOS update successfully completed via BMC WebGUI.

  1. BMC Firmware Update

  1. Procedure
    1. Download BMC firmware (.bin or .ima).
    2. Login to BMC → Maintenance → Firmware Update.
    3. Upload firmware and confirm update.
    4. BMC resets and loads new version.

  1. Result
    1. BMC firmware successfully updated with no system downtime required.

  1.  FRU (Field Replaceable Unit) Information Collection

      Method — Using BMC WebGUI

  1. Procedure
    1. Navigate to Server Health → FRU Information.
    2. Review and record the following FRU fields:
      1. Product Name
      2. Board Serial Number
      3. Chassis Serial Number
      4. Manufacturer
      5. Part Number

  1. Result:
    1. FRU fields captured accurately, ensuring reliable hardware documentation and asset records.

  1. Sensor Data Collection

      Method — Using BMC WebGUI

  1. Steps:
    1. Navigate to Server Health → Sensor Readings.
    2. Collect and review the following sensor data:
      1. CPU temperatures
      2. Memory temperatures
      3. Fan RPMs
      4. Voltage readings
      5. Power / PSU values

  1. Result:
    1. Live system health metrics captured, enabling effective monitoring and diagnostics of hardware performance.

  1. Hardware Information Collection

      Method — Using BMC WebGUI (System Inventory)

  1.       Steps:
    1. Navigate to System Information → Inventory in the BMC WebGUI.
    2. Review and record the following hardware details:
      1. CPU model & stepping
      2. Memory slot population & DIMM specifications
      3. PCIe devices
      4. NVMe / SATA devices
      5. PSU models and power metrics
      6. Fan models & supported speed ranges

  1. Result:
    1. Complete hardware inventory captured

  1. Logs & Report Collection

      Method — Using BMC WebGUI

  1. Steps:
    1. Navigate to Logs & Reports in the BMC WebGUI.
    2. Available logs include:
      1. IPMI Event Log — Hardware events, alerts, sensor threshold violations
      2. System Log — System activities, boot records, operational messages
      3. Audit Log — User access, configuration changes, administrative actions
      4. Video Log — Video captures of system events (e.g., crash screens, console activity)

  1. Result:
    1. Comprehensive logs collected for documentation, maintenance, and audit records.

System Maintenance Summary

  1. BIOS access was successfully completed using the DEL/F2 keys.
  2. BMC access was established, and the IP address was retrieved directly from the BIOS.
  3. BIOS update was carried out and completed via EZ Flash and BMC.
  4. BMC firmware update was uploaded and flashed successfully.
  5. FRU information was collected through the BMC GUI and IPMI.
  6. Sensor readings were gathered, covering temperature, voltage, fan speeds, and PSU status.
  7. Hardware inventory was collected, including details of CPU, RAM, storage, and PSU.
  8. Logs and reports were collected, including the IPMI Event Log, System Log, Audit Log, and Video Log.