> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://sambanova-systems.mintlify.site/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Host module BMC administration

This document describes how to apply security patches and firmware updates to the SN40L-H host module BMC and BIOS. These tasks are typically performed together but can be done independently.

**Procedures covered in this document:**

* Updating the SN40L-H host module BMC firmware
* Updating the SN40L-H host module BIOS
* Recovering the SN40L-H BMC

## Safety warnings

Review and observe the following requirements before performing BMC or BIOS updates.

<Warning>
  * **Admin user account:** Do not remove the admin user account or change its password. This account is required for BMC password recovery.
  * **Firmware updates:** Do not power off or reboot rack components during firmware updates. Interrupting an update can cause unrecoverable damage. Wait until updates complete successfully before shutting down or rebooting.
  * **BMC configuration:** Do not modify BMC configuration unless explicitly instructed.
</Warning>

***

## Updating BMC firmware

This procedure updates the SN40L-H host module BMC firmware while preserving the existing configuration.

<Warning>
  If you cancel the firmware update process after starting it, you must reset the BMC before attempting any other operations. Close the browser, then log in to the BMC WebUI again.
</Warning>

**Prerequisites:**

* Access to the SN40L-H host module BMC via the access network
* Chrome or Firefox (latest version)
* BMC patch update downloaded from the SambaNova Support portal

### Step 1: Back up existing configuration

Before updating firmware, back up the current BMC configuration. This backup enables recovery if needed.

**Procedure:**

1. Navigate to `https://<SN40L-H_BMC_IP>` in your browser.
2. Log in and click **Sign me in**.
3. In the left pane, select **Maintenance**.
4. Select **Backup Configuration**.

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/sambanova-systems/emEy6D0rW6i9bD6c/images/docs/admin/host-bmc/host-bmc-admin-1.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=emEy6D0rW6i9bD6c&q=85&s=cf3fc632a0bf8506d4720d73516fb11b" alt="BMC WebUI Maintenance menu with Backup Configuration selected" style={{ maxWidth:"100%" }} width="1377" height="382" data-path="images/docs/admin/host-bmc/host-bmc-admin-1.png" />
</Frame>

5. Select **Check All** to back up all BMC configuration settings.

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/sambanova-systems/emEy6D0rW6i9bD6c/images/docs/admin/host-bmc/host-bmc-admin-2.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=emEy6D0rW6i9bD6c&q=85&s=9498161e91f7c6939f543c213d659abc" alt="BMC WebUI Backup Configuration page with Check All option" style={{ maxWidth:"100%" }} width="756" height="334" data-path="images/docs/admin/host-bmc/host-bmc-admin-2.png" />
</Frame>

6. Click **Download**.
7. Click **OK** to save the `bmc-config.bak` file to your local system.

### Step 2: Update BMC firmware

After backing up the configuration, update the BMC firmware.

**Procedure:**

1. Download the BMC patch update from the SambaNova Support portal.
2. Unzip the patch to a directory on your local system.
3. In the BMC WebUI, select **Maintenance** in the left pane.
4. Select **Preserve Configuration**.

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/sambanova-systems/emEy6D0rW6i9bD6c/images/docs/admin/host-bmc/host-bmc-admin-3.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=emEy6D0rW6i9bD6c&q=85&s=4146c00d8f22245d53d91096ca840453" alt="BMC WebUI Maintenance menu with Preserve Configuration selected" style={{ maxWidth:"100%" }} width="1380" height="397" data-path="images/docs/admin/host-bmc/host-bmc-admin-3.png" />
</Frame>

5. Select **Check All** to preserve all configuration settings. A confirmation message appears.

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/sambanova-systems/emEy6D0rW6i9bD6c/images/docs/admin/host-bmc/host-bmc-admin-4.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=emEy6D0rW6i9bD6c&q=85&s=e13c456efaa0de176304420ec2bd98c3" alt="BMC WebUI Preserve Configuration page with Check All selected and confirmation message" style={{ maxWidth:"100%" }} width="974" height="230" data-path="images/docs/admin/host-bmc/host-bmc-admin-4.png" />
</Frame>

6. In the left pane, click **Maintenance**, then select **Firmware Update**.

7. Locate and select the firmware file:
   * Click **Browse**.
   * Navigate to `/SN40L rack/<version>/HostBMC_FW/` in the unzipped patch bundle.
   * Select `rom.ima_enc` and click **Open**.

8. Click **Start firmware update**.

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/sambanova-systems/emEy6D0rW6i9bD6c/images/docs/admin/host-bmc/host-bmc-admin-5.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=emEy6D0rW6i9bD6c&q=85&s=8ac5933a36efed3c6ab3aa20e9577e6e" alt="BMC WebUI Firmware Update page with firmware file selected and Start firmware update button" style={{ maxWidth:"100%" }} width="847" height="571" data-path="images/docs/admin/host-bmc/host-bmc-admin-5.png" />
</Frame>

9. Select the **Preserve all Configuration** checkbox.

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/sambanova-systems/emEy6D0rW6i9bD6c/images/docs/admin/host-bmc/host-bmc-admin-6.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=emEy6D0rW6i9bD6c&q=85&s=4b1aa31b25f356fb50d6e55b38b35571" alt="BMC WebUI firmware update dialog with Preserve all Configuration checkbox" style={{ maxWidth:"100%" }} width="1123" height="155" data-path="images/docs/admin/host-bmc/host-bmc-admin-6.png" />
</Frame>

10. Scroll down and click **Proceed to Flash**.

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/sambanova-systems/emEy6D0rW6i9bD6c/images/docs/admin/host-bmc/host-bmc-admin-7.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=emEy6D0rW6i9bD6c&q=85&s=40be8058048af3b1a80a6b2427f7fa94" alt="BMC WebUI firmware update dialog showing Proceed to Flash button" style={{ maxWidth:"100%" }} width="1121" height="313" data-path="images/docs/admin/host-bmc/host-bmc-admin-7.png" />
</Frame>

11. Click **OK** to confirm.

<Note>
  The BMC is unreachable for 5–10 minutes while the update applies. The SN40L-H host module OS continues to run normally during this time.
</Note>

### Step 3: Verify the update

After the BMC becomes accessible again, verify the firmware version.

**Procedure:**

1. Wait 10 minutes, then log in to the BMC WebUI.
2. Check the firmware version in the upper left corner of the dashboard.

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/sambanova-systems/emEy6D0rW6i9bD6c/images/docs/admin/host-bmc/host-bmc-admin-8.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=emEy6D0rW6i9bD6c&q=85&s=8e12fab13d0e18b981edf3a6cd2bacc0" alt="BMC WebUI dashboard showing firmware version in the upper left corner" style={{ maxWidth:"100%" }} width="210" height="101" data-path="images/docs/admin/host-bmc/host-bmc-admin-8.png" />
</Frame>

***

## Updating BIOS

This procedure updates the SN40L-H host module BIOS firmware.

<Warning>
  Do not interrupt the update process. When update mode begins, all open widgets close automatically and other web services stop responding. Canceling mid-process resets only the BMC BOOT and APP firmware components.
</Warning>

<Note>
  The BIOS update requires a system reboot to complete. Plan for downtime accordingly.
</Note>

**Prerequisites:**

* Access to the SN40L-H host module BMC via the access network
* Chrome or Firefox (latest version)
* Infrastructure patch bundle downloaded and uncompressed

### Step 1: Upload and flash BIOS firmware

**Procedure:**

1. Navigate to `https://<SN40L-H_BMC_IP>` in your browser.
2. Log in and click **Sign me in**.
3. In the left pane, select **Maintenance**.
4. Select **Firmware Update**.

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/sambanova-systems/emEy6D0rW6i9bD6c/images/docs/admin/host-bmc/host-bmc-admin-9.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=emEy6D0rW6i9bD6c&q=85&s=ed8c9afddeefb6d074a0e6e3185bf45e" alt="BMC WebUI Maintenance menu with Firmware Update selected" style={{ maxWidth:"100%" }} width="1380" height="397" data-path="images/docs/admin/host-bmc/host-bmc-admin-9.png" />
</Frame>

5. Locate and select the BIOS file:
   * Click **Browse**.

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/sambanova-systems/emEy6D0rW6i9bD6c/images/docs/admin/host-bmc/host-bmc-admin-10.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=emEy6D0rW6i9bD6c&q=85&s=5d7639a5387c2f052a1c0f2f14cc9038" alt="BMC WebUI Firmware Update page with Browse button to select firmware file" style={{ maxWidth:"100%" }} width="797" height="308" data-path="images/docs/admin/host-bmc/host-bmc-admin-10.png" />
</Frame>

* Navigate to `/Host_BIOS/RBU/` in the uncompressed patch bundle.
* Select `image.RBU` and click **Open**.

6. Click **Start firmware update**.

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/sambanova-systems/emEy6D0rW6i9bD6c/images/docs/admin/host-bmc/host-bmc-admin-11.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=emEy6D0rW6i9bD6c&q=85&s=bafb20ec3637a461251bc62682b356f3" alt="BMC WebUI Firmware Update page with Start firmware update button" style={{ maxWidth:"100%" }} width="847" height="571" data-path="images/docs/admin/host-bmc/host-bmc-admin-11.png" />
</Frame>

7. From the **Update Type** dropdown, select **BIOS**.

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/sambanova-systems/emEy6D0rW6i9bD6c/images/docs/admin/host-bmc/host-bmc-admin-12.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=emEy6D0rW6i9bD6c&q=85&s=3ceb15fd8713336d2393f4e340be68ee" alt="BMC WebUI firmware update dialog with Update Type dropdown set to BIOS" style={{ maxWidth:"100%" }} width="1126" height="410" data-path="images/docs/admin/host-bmc/host-bmc-admin-12.png" />
</Frame>

8. Click **Proceed to Flash**, then click **OK**.

<Note>
  This uploads the BIOS firmware but does not apply it yet.
</Note>

9. When the upload reaches 100%, click **Flash BIOS**.

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/sambanova-systems/emEy6D0rW6i9bD6c/images/docs/admin/host-bmc/host-bmc-admin-13.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=emEy6D0rW6i9bD6c&q=85&s=0030c2f3b0a9618426261a34924633af" alt="BMC WebUI showing firmware upload at 100% with Flash BIOS button" style={{ maxWidth:"100%" }} width="945" height="256" data-path="images/docs/admin/host-bmc/host-bmc-admin-13.png" />
</Frame>

10. When the "firmware image has been updated successfully" message appears, click **OK**.
11. When the "Firmware reset has been called" message appears, click **OK** to log out.

### Step 2: Reboot the host module

The BIOS update requires a system reboot to take effect.

**Procedure:**

1. Connect to the host module OS via SSH:

```bash theme={null}
ssh snuser1@<SN40L-H_OS_IP_Address>
```

2. Reboot the system:

```bash theme={null}
sudo shutdown -r now
```

### Step 3: Verify the update

After the host module comes back online, verify the BIOS version.

**Procedure:**

1. Log in to the BMC WebUI.
2. In the left pane, select **Maintenance**.
3. Select **Firmware Information**.

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/sambanova-systems/emEy6D0rW6i9bD6c/images/docs/admin/host-bmc/host-bmc-admin-14.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=emEy6D0rW6i9bD6c&q=85&s=d22d2412c3690a9b221b68304d9dd76b" alt="BMC WebUI Maintenance menu with Firmware Information selected" style={{ maxWidth:"100%" }} width="1380" height="397" data-path="images/docs/admin/host-bmc/host-bmc-admin-14.png" />
</Frame>

4. Verify the versions in **BMC Firmware Information** and **BIOS Firmware Information**.

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/sambanova-systems/emEy6D0rW6i9bD6c/images/docs/admin/host-bmc/host-bmc-admin-15.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=emEy6D0rW6i9bD6c&q=85&s=fd3190106c4e99a28ce26fbf67905b95" alt="BMC WebUI Firmware Information page showing BMC and BIOS version details" style={{ maxWidth:"100%" }} width="659" height="599" data-path="images/docs/admin/host-bmc/host-bmc-admin-15.png" />
</Frame>

***

## Recovering the BMC

If the SN40L-H host module BMC is unresponsive, inaccessible, or the password has been lost, contact SambaNova Support for assistance.
