Dell Metered PDU LCD - Manual (Page 4)

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Introduction
Introduction
The Dell
t
Metered Rack Power Distribution Unit (rPDU) provides both serial and Ethernet (10/100 Base-T)
communication ports for external controls. These communication ports are not only used to monitor and manage
metered rPDUs. These ports are also used to upgrade Microprocessor Control Unit (MCU) and the Network
Management Card (NMC) firmware.
Software user interfaces (flash upgrade utilities) provide an easy way to select and download a firmware upgrade file for an
rPDU MCU or NMC. The flash upgrade utilities rely on unique model identification information to prevent an incorrect
NMC or MCU firmware load from being installed on an rPDU during an upgrade. Flash upgrade utilities for serial
upgrades can be accessed through a PC connected to the serial port on the rPDU (see Figure 1). Network upgrades can
also be performed with a flash upgrade utility for rPDUs with a connection to a network server or router.
The rPDU is powered up during an upgrade. Because firmware flash upgrades are transparent, they do not affect rPDU
operation.
Figure 1. Upgrading the rPDU Firmware
NOTE: Only one rPDU can be upgraded at a time.
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