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Guidebook for IT Process

framework for updating

BIOS/Drivers/Firmware

Purpose:

This document provides guidelines to IT administrators

and management to remotely update BIOS, drivers,

and rmware. It also provides IT best practice process

framework to test, validate, and deploy updates

remotely in a test and production environment.

While this document outlines best practices at the time of publishing,

Dell Technologies is constantly evaluating better ways of enabling

customers to efciently manage Dell endpoints.

Summary of content (7 pages)

PAGE 1
Guidebook for IT Process framework for updating BIOS/Drivers/Firmware Purpose: This document provides guidelines to IT administrators and management to remotely update BIOS, drivers, and firmware. It also provides IT best practice process framework to test, validate, and deploy updates remotely in a test and production environment.
PAGE 2
Basic workflow of IT Process for updating BIOS/Drivers/Firmware IT Deployment Process Framework: This workflow outlines the testing, validation, deployment process, outcome of each stage, and team members involved at each stage of the process. Teams Structure: • IT Engineering* • IT Validation* • Transition Managers* • IT Operations* * All such roles can also be performed by an IT Admin, especially in small businesses.
PAGE 3
Overview: Manual installation and remote installation on test environment units. 1 Stage 1 Requirements:  Multiple systems per model.  Latest BIOS, drivers, or/and firmware to be delivered to end users. Steps: TESTING Lead IT Engineering 1. Run a manual installation test and check for any yellow bangs in device manager and basic functionality. 2. Determine the IT device management tool of choice by following the first three steps in the next stage. 3.
PAGE 4
Overview: Determine the IT device management tool of choice based on use case, update type, and strategy. Requirements:  IT Management Console  Purpose of the update  End-user impact 2 Stage 2 STAGING Lead IT Engineering IT Operations Steps: 1. Determine and document the type of update:  Single update—Delivering update to one model to fix a recognized challenge.  Targeted updates—Delivering updates to select models to fix a recognized challenge.
PAGE 5
Overview: Regression testing and validation plan based on simulated end-user experience and performance benchmarks. Requirements: 3 Stage 3  Multiple test environment and simulated production environment units.  Benchmark tools such as PCMARK, CrystalDiskMark 6 and 7, Windows ADK, and so on. Steps: VALIDATION Lead IT Validation IT Engineering 1. Review the test plan developed by IT engineering and update, if required. 2.
PAGE 6
Overview: User Acceptance Testing (UAT) by IT beta users globally on production units. This stage validates remote updates in a controlled production environment. It also includes monitoring and reporting any end user impact post updates. The feedback is shared with IT validation and IT engineering teams. 4 Stage 4 Requirements: Global UAT users Steps: TRANSITION / UAT Lead Transition Team IT Engineering 1.
PAGE 7
Overview: Staggered deployment, monitoring incidents, deployment rate. Stop deployment for any red flags, unfavorable trend, or end-users’ escalations to review with IT Engineering. Requirements: 5 Stage 5 DEPLOYMENT Lead IT Operations IT Engineering IT Validation Documented steps to use the selected IT device management tool Note: You must also consider the risk severity—high risk versus low risk update. Steps: 1.