User's Manual

Using Dell Update Packages 23
• The device associated with the DUP is present on your system.
• The minimum required versions of related system software are running on
your system.
DUPs are designed with built-in error handling capabilities to ensure that the
preceding requirements are validated. If the conditions are not met, no
update occurs. DUPs also check for dependencies between BIOS and certain
ESM packages. The application design allows you to create groups of DUPs
and apply them to a wide range of systems. Additionally, if you only want to
verify that a given package can be applied to your system, you can invoke the
package by using the following CLI command:
./
Packagename .bin -c
This command executes the dependency rules within the DUP, issues any
warnings, exits without applying the update to your system, and writes the
results to the console. You can also use the DUP to set an exit code to
perform decisions within your scripts.
Effects of Applying the Updates on a Running System
System Reboot Required
Certain packages, such as those that update the system BIOS, require a
reboot for the new software to take effect. After you apply an update that
requires a reboot, you must restart the system to complete the update.
You have the option of choosing to defer the reboot until another time as
long as you do not turn off the system. This feature is primarily intended to
allow you to apply any number of updates together and perform the system
reboot after the last update has been applied. If this process is interrupted,
for example, through a power interruption, you must repeat the updates.
Therefore, Dell recommends that you schedule updates for a time when the
reboot can take place immediately after you apply the last update.
Impact on Users and Applications
Generally, you can apply the updates to a running system because they
consume few system resources. Be sure to read the information contained in
the DUP before applying the update to determine if applying the update may
cause a service interruption to your users or applications. When in doubt,
always apply updates at a time when no critical applications or users require
the system.