Installation for DPU Mode

Contents:

The following diagram illustrates the sequence of events and actions from first time power-up of the NVIDIA® BlueField® networking platform (DPU or SuperNIC) in the data center environment through provisioning and maintenance. 

At the end of this procedure, the BlueField should be configured with an IP address, all required settings, has up-to-date software component versions, and is ready to use.

Step 1 – BlueField SoC Boots

The BlueField SoC boots to the UEFI BIOS and DHCP DISCOVER is sent

1. BlueField SoC runs UEFI/PXE which sends a DHCP DISCOVER over the 1GbE OOB interface, including vendor class ("NVIDIA/BF/PXE") for BlueField SoC (to allow customer's server to differentiate between BlueField SoC and BlueField BMC), and MAC for identification and discovery. See Appendix B for more information.

2. A customer's DHCP server inspects the MAC address and the vendor class, allocates IP, and continues the standard DHCP.

3. DHCP server updates RMC of the new BlueField discovered with detailed information (e.g., MAC, IP address, vendor class).

Step 2 – BlueField BMC Boots

BlueField BMC issues DHCP DISCOVER over the 1GbE OOB interface, including vendor class ("NVIDIA/BF/BMC") for BlueField-BMC, and MAC for identification and discovery. Example of BlueField BMC DHCP DISCOVER packet structure (note "NVIDIA/BF/BMC" in line 13):

root@bf-bmc:~# 18:18:10.563269 IP (tos 0xc0, ttl 64, id 0, offset 0, flags [none], proto UDP (17), length 320)
0.0.0.0.bootpc > 255.255.255.255.bootps: [udp sum ok] BOOTP/DHCP, Request from b8:3f:d2:ca:4b:26 (oui Unknown), length 292, xid 0xfc2acdec, secs 1, Flags [none] (0x0000)
Client-Ethernet-Address b8:3f:d2:ab:cd:ef (oui Unknown)
Vendor-rfc1048 Extensions
Magic Cookie 0x63825363
DHCP-Message (53), length 1: Discover
Client-ID (61), length 7: ether b8:3f:d2:ab:cd:ef
Parameter-Request (55), length 9:
Subnet-Mask (1), Default-Gateway (3), Domain-Name-Server (6), Hostname (12)
Domain-Name (15), Static-Route (33), NTP (42), Unknown (120)
Classless-Static-Route (121)
MSZ (57), length 2: 576
Hostname (12), length 7: "bf-bmc" Vendor-Class (60), length 13: "NVIDIA/BF/BMC" END (255), length 0
18:18:10.565261 IP (tos 0x0, ttl 63, id 0, offset 0, flags [DF], proto UDP (17), length 353)
(example) dhcp01.XX.YY > ldev-platform-13-043-bmc.bootpc: [no cksum] BOOTP/DHCP, Reply, length 325, hops 1, xid 0xfc2acdec, secs 1, Flags [none] (0x0000)
(example) Your-IP ldev-platform-13-043-bmc.XX.YY
(example) Server-IP l-pxe02.XX.YY
Gateway-IP 10.237.0.255
Client-Ethernet-Address b8:3f:d2:ab:cd:ef (oui Unknown)
file "pxelinux.0" Vendor-rfc1048 Extensions
Magic Cookie 0x63825363
DHCP-Message (53), length 1: Offer
Server-ID (54), length 4: (example) dhcp01.XX.YY
Lease-Time (51), length 4: 43200
Subnet-Mask (1), length 4: 255.255.0.0
Default-Gateway (3), length 4
(example) GW.XX.YY
Hostname (12), length 24: "ldev-platform-13-043-bmc" Domain-Name (15), length 13: "<local domain name>" NTP (42), length 4: (example) NTP.XX.YY
END (255), length 0
18:18:10.565261 IP (tos 0x0, ttl 62, id 0, offset 0, flags [DF], proto UDP (17), length 353)
dhcp01.XX.YY > ldev-platform-13-043-bmc.<local domain name>: [no cksum] BOOTP/DH

1. DHCP server inspects the MAC address and the vendor class, allocates IP and continues the standard DHCP flow.

2. DHCP server updates RMC of the new BlueField BMC discovered with detailed information: MAC, IP address, vendor classes, etc. 

Step 3 – Change Default Password

To communicate with the BlueField BMC, change the default password (0penBmc) by sending the following Redfish schema to the BlueField BMC: 

curl -k -u root:0penBmc -H "Content-Type: application/json" -X PATCH https://<BF-BMC-IP>/redfish/v1/AccountService/Accounts/root -d '{"Password" : "<user-password>"}'

Where <BF-BMC-IP> is the IP address for the BlueField BMC (e.g., 10.10.1.2), and <user-password> is the chosen password to log into the BlueField BMC with root privileges.

The BMC password must comply with the following policy parameters:

• Using ASCII and Unicode characters is permitted

• Minimum length: 12

• Maximum length: 20

• Maximum number of consecutive character pairs: 4

  Two characters are consecutive if |hex(char_1)-hex(char_2)|=1.

  Examples of passwords with 5 consecutive character pairs (invalid): DcBa123456AbCd!; ab1XbcYcdZdeGef!; Testing_123abcgh!.

  
  

The following is a valid example password:

• HelloNvidia3D!

For example:

[redfish_scripts] $ curl -k -u root:0penBmc -H "Content-Type: application/json" -X PATCH https://<BF-BMC-IP>/redfish/v1/AccountService/Accounts/root -d '{"Password" : "HelloNvidia3D!"}'
Response:
{
  "@Message.ExtendedInfo": [
    {
      "@odata.type": "#Message.v1_1_1.Message",
      "Message": "The request completed successfully.",
      "MessageArgs": [],
      "MessageId": "Base.1.15.0.Success",
      "MessageSeverity": "OK",
      "Resolution": "None"
    }
  ]
}

Step 4 – Upgrade BlueField BMC Firmware

Upgrade BlueField BMC firmware via the Redfish "update service schema" through the 1GbE OOB.

• If a BlueField-2 is in your possession and it is the first time you are upgrading BlueField BMC, follow Appendix A.

• If a BlueField-3 is in your possession, follow the instructions in the following subsections

Update BMC Firmware

1. Run the following Redfish command over the 1GbE out-of-band interface on the BlueField BMC to trigger a secure BlueField BMC firmware update:

   curl -k -u root:'<password>' -H "Content-Type: application/octet-stream" -X POST -T <package_path> https://<BF-BMC-IP>/redfish/v1/UpdateService/update
   

   Where:

   • <password> – BlueField BMC password

   • <package_path> – BMC firmware update package path pointing to BMC *.fwpkg binary (e.g., bf3-bmc-23.09-6_opn.fwpkg)

   • <BF-BMC-IP> – BMC IP address

     After pushing the image to the BlueField BMC, a new task is created. Example:

     {
       "@odata.id": "/redfish/v1/TaskService/Tasks/0",
       "@odata.type": "#Task.v1_4_3.Task",
       "Id": "0",
       "TaskState": "Running"
     }
     

     
     

     BMC firmware update takes ~12 minutes.

     
     

2. To track the progress of the update, use the task Id received in the response above (i.e., 0) in your query and monitor the value of the task’s PercentComplete field:

   curl -k -u root:'<password>' -X GET https://<BF-BMC-IP>/redfish/v1/TaskService/Tasks/<task_id> | jq -r ' .PercentComplete'
   

   Where:

   • <password> – BlueField BMC password

   • <BF-BMC-IP> – BMC IP address

   • <task_id> – task ID of the update process as received in the response under the Id value 

     Example output:

       % Total    % Received % Xferd  Average Speed   Time    Time     Time  Current Dload  Upload   Total   Spent    Left  Speed
     100  2123  100  2123    0     0  38600      0 --:--:-- --:--:-- --:--:-- 37910
     20
     

     See PercentComplete is at 20 percent.

3. Proceed to the next step when the process reaches 100%.

Update eROT Firmware

1. Trigger a secure firmware update:

   curl -k -u root:'<password>' -H "Content-Type: application/octet-stream" -X POST -T <package_path> https://<BF-BMC-IP>/redfish/v1/UpdateService/update
   

   Where:

   • <password> – BlueField BMC password

   • <package_path> – eROT firmware update package path pointing to eROT *.fwpkg binary (e.g. cec1736-ecfw-00.02.0127.0000-n02-rel-prod.fwpkg)

   • <BF-BMC-IP> – BMC IP address

     After initiating the eROT secure update, a new task is created. Example:

     {
       "@odata.id": "/redfish/v1/TaskService/Tasks/0",
       "@odata.type": "#Task.v1_4_3.Task",
       "Id": "0",
       "TaskState": "Running"
     }
     

     
     

     eROT firmware update takes ~20 seconds.

     
     

2. To track the progress of the update, use the task Id received in the response above (i.e., 0) in your query and monitor the value of the task’s PercentComplete field:

   curl -k -u root:'<password>' -X GET https://<BF-BMC-IP>/redfish/v1/TaskService/Tasks/<task_id> | jq -r ' .PercentComplete'
   

   
   

   Run this command several times until PercentComplete shows 100 before proceeding to other operations.

   Where:

   • <password> – BlueField BMC password

   • <BF-BMC-IP> – BMC IP address

   • <task_id> – task ID of the update process as received in the response under the Id value

Possible Error Codes During BMC/eROT Upgrade

Step 5 – Upgrade BlueField Firmware Components and BSP

Upgrade the BlueField firmware components (i.e., ATF, UEFI, NIC-firmware) and the BSP using the BFB image.

The BFB installation procedure consists of the following main stages:

1. Disabling RShim on the server.

2. Initiating the BFB update procedure by transferring the BFB image using one of the following options:Redfish interface – SimpleUpdate with SCP, HTTP, or HTTPSConfirming the identity of the host and BMC—required only for SCP, during first-time setup or after BMC factory reset.Sending a SimpleUpdate request.Direct SCP

3. Tracking the installation's progress and status.

# echo WITH_NIC_FW_UPDATE=yes > bf.cfg 
# cat <path_to_bfb> bf.cfg > new.bfb

Transferring BFB File

Since the BFB is too large to store on the BMC flash or tmpfs, the image must be written to the RShim device. This can be done by either running SCP directly or using the Redfish interface.

Redfish Interface

Installing BFB File Using SCP Protocol

The following are the detailed instructions outlining each step in the diagram above:

1. Prepare secure file transfer of BFB: 

   The following is an example for how to generate the server public key on Ubuntu 22.04 and it may be different on other OS distributions/versions.

   1. Gather the public SSH host keys of the server holding the new.bfb file. Run the following against the server holding the new.bfb file ("Remote Server"):

      OpenSSH is required for this step.

      
      

      ssh-keyscan -t <key_type> <remote_server_ip>
      

      Where:

      • key_type – the type of key associated with the server storing the BFB file (e.g., ed25519)

      • remote_server_ip – the IP address of the server hosting the BFB file

   2. Retrieve the remote server's public key from the response, and send the following Redfish command to the BlueField BMC:

      curl -k -u root:'<password>' -H "Content-Type: application/json" -X POST -d '{"RemoteServerIP":"<remote_server_ip>", "RemoteServerKeyString":"<remote_server_public_key>"}' https://<bmc_ip>/redfish/v1/UpdateService/Actions/Oem/NvidiaUpdateService.PublicKeyExchange
      

      Where:  

      • password – BlueField BMC password

      • remote_server_ip – the IP address of the server hosting the BFB file

      • remote_server_public_key – remote server's public key from the ssh-keyscan response, which contains both the type and the public key with one space between the two fields (i.e., "<type> <public_key>")

      • bmc_ip – BMC IP address

   3. Extract the BMC public key information (i.e., "<type> <bmc_public_key> <username>@<hostname>") from the PublicKeyExchange response and append it to the authorized_keys file on the remote server holding the BFB file. This enables password-less key-based authentication for users. 

      {
        "@Message.ExtendedInfo": [
          {
            "@odata.type": "#Message.v1_1_1.Message",
            "Message": "Please add the following public
             key info to ~/.ssh/authorized_keys on the
             remote server",
            "MessageArgs": [
              "<type> <bmc_public_key> root@dpu-bmc"
            ]
          },
          {
            "@odata.type": "#Message.v1_1_1.Message",
            "Message": "The request completed
             successfully.",
            "MessageArgs": [],
            "MessageId": "Base.1.15.0.Success",
            "MessageSeverity": "OK",
            "Resolution": "None"
              }
          ]
         }
      

      
      

2. Initiate image transfer. Run the following Redfish command:

   curl -k -u root:'<password>' -H "Content-Type: application/json" -X POST -d '{"TransferProtocol":"SCP", "ImageURI":"<image_uri>","Targets":["redfish/v1/UpdateService/FirmwareInventory/DPU_OS"], "Username":"<username>"}' https://<bmc_ip>/redfish/v1/UpdateService/Actions/UpdateService.SimpleUpdate
   

   
   

   This command uses SCP for the image transfer, initiates a soft reset on the BlueField, and then pushes the boot stream. For NVIDIA-supplied BFBs, the eMMC is flashed automatically once the boot stream is pushed. Upon success, a running message is received.

   
   

   After the BMC boots, it may take a few seconds (6-8 seconds for NVIDIA® BlueField®-2, and 2 seconds for BlueField-3) until the BlueField BSP (DPU_OS) is up.

   Where:

   • image_uri – contains both the remote server IP address and the full path to the .bfb file on the remote server, with one slash between the two fields (i.e., <remote_server_ip>/<full_path_of_bfb>).

     For example, if <remote_server_ip> is 10.10.10.10 and <full_path_of_bfb> is /tmp/file.bfb then "ImageURI":"10.10.10.10//tmp/file.bfb".

     
     

   • username – username on the remote server

   • bmc_ip – BMC IP address

     Response/error messages:

     • If RShim is disabled: 

       {
         "error": {
           "@Message.ExtendedInfo": [
             {
               "@odata.type": "#Message.v1_1_1.Message",
               "Message": "The requested resource of type Target named '/dev/rshim0/boot' was not found.",
               "MessageArgs": [
                 "Target",
                 "/dev/rshim0/boot"
               ],
               "MessageId": "Base.1.15.0.ResourceNotFound",
               "MessageSeverity": "Critical",
               "Resolution": "Provide a valid resource identifier and resubmit the request."
             }
           ],
           "code": "Base.1.15.0.ResourceNotFound",
           "message": "The requested resource of type Target named '/dev/rshim0/boot' was not found."
       }
       

       
       

     • If a username or any other required field is missing:

       {
         "Username@Message.ExtendedInfo": [
           {
             "@odata.type": "#Message.v1_1_1.Message",
             "Message": "The create operation failed because the required property Username was missing from the request.",
             "MessageArgs": [
               "Username"
             ],
             "MessageId": "Base.1.15.0.CreateFailedMissingReqProperties",
             "MessageSeverity": "Critical",
             "Resolution": "Correct the body to include the required property with a valid value and resubmit the request if the operation failed."
           }
         ]
       }
       

       
       

     • Success message if the request is valid and a task is created: 

       {
         "@odata.id": 
          "/redfish/v1/TaskService/Tasks/<task_id>",
         "@odata.type": "#Task.v1_4_3.Task",
         "Id": "<task_id>",
         "TaskState": "Running",
         "TaskStatus": "OK"
       }
       

       
       

3. Run the following Redfish command to track the SCP image's transfer status (percentage is not updated until it reaches 100%):

   curl -k -u root:'<password>' -X GET https://<bmc_ip>/redfish/v1/TaskService/Tasks/<task_id>
   

   
   

   During the transfer, the PercentComplete value remains at 0. If no errors occur, the TaskState is set to Running, and a keep-alive message is generated every 5 minutes with the content "Transfer is still in progress (X minutes elapsed). Please wait". Once the transfer is completed, the PercentComplete is set to 100, and the TaskState is updated to Completed.

   Upon failure, a message is generated with the relevant resolution.

   Where:

• • bmc_ip – BMC IP address

  • task_id – task ID received by the UpdateService command response

    Examples:

• • • Response/error messages:
      If host identity is not confirmed or the provided host key is wrong: { "@odata.type": "#MessageRegistry.v1_4_1.MessageRegistry", "Message": "Transfer of image '<file_name>' to '/dev/rshim0/boot' failed.", "MessageArgs": [ "<file_name>, "/dev/rshim0/boot" ], "MessageId": "Update.1.0.TransferFailed", "Resolution": " Unknown Host: Please provide server's public key using PublicKeyExchange ", "Severity": "Critical" } … "PercentComplete": 0, "StartTime": "<start_time>", "TaskMonitor": "/redfish/v1/TaskService/Tasks/<task_id>/Monitor", "TaskState": "Exception", "TaskStatus": "Critical" In this case, revoke the remote server key using the following Redfish command:  curl -k -u root:'<password>' -H "Content-Type: application/json" -X POST -d '{"RemoteServerIP":"<remote_server_ip>"}' https://<bmc_ip>/redfish/v1/UpdateService/Actions/Oem/NvidiaUpdateService.RevokeAllRemoteServerPublicKeys Where:remote_server_ip – remote server's IP addressbmc_ip – BMC IP addressThen repeat steps 1 and 2.

• • • • If the BMC identity is not confirmed:

        {
              "@odata.type": "#MessageRegistry.v1_4_1.MessageRegistry",
              "Message": "Transfer of image '<file_name>' to '/dev/rshim0/boot' failed.",
              "MessageArgs": [
                "<file_name>",
                "/dev/rshim0/boot"
              ],
              "MessageId": "Update.1.0.TransferFailed",
              "Resolution": "Unauthorized Client: Please use the PublicKeyExchange action to receive the system's public key and add it as an authorized key on the remote server",
              "Severity": "Critical"
              }
        …
        "PercentComplete": 0,
          "StartTime": "<start_time>",
          "TaskMonitor": "/redfish/v1/TaskService/Tasks/<task_id>/Monitor",
          "TaskState": "Exception",
          "TaskStatus": "Critical"
        

        
        

        In this case, verify that the BMC key has been added correctly to the authorized_key file on the remote server.

        
        

• • • • If SCP fails:

        {
              "@odata.type": "#MessageRegistry.v1_4_1.MessageRegistry",
              "Message": "Transfer of image '<file_name>' to '/dev/rshim0/boot' failed.",
              "MessageArgs": [
                "<file_name>",
                "/dev/rshim0/boot"
              ],
              "MessageId": "Update.1.0.TransferFailed",
              "Resolution": "Failed to launch SCP",
              "Severity": "Critical"
              }
        …
        "PercentComplete": 0,
          "StartTime": "<start_time>",
          "TaskMonitor": "/redfish/v1/TaskService/Tasks/<task_id>/Monitor",
          "TaskState": "Exception",
          "TaskStatus": "Critical"
        

        
        

• • • • Success/status messages:

        • The keep-alive message: 

          {
                "@odata.type": "#MessageRegistry.v1_4_1.MessageRegistry",
                "Message": " <file_name>' is being transferred to '/dev/rshim0/boot'.",
                "MessageArgs": [
                  " <file_name>",
                  "/dev/rshim0/boot"
                ],
                "MessageId": "Update.1.0.TransferringToComponent",
                "Resolution": "Transfer is still in progress (5 minutes elapsed): Please wait",
                "Severity": "OK"
              }
          …
          "PercentComplete": 0,
            "StartTime": "<start_time>",
            "TaskMonitor": "/redfish/v1/TaskService/Tasks/<task_id>/Monitor",
            "TaskState": "Running",
            "TaskStatus": "OK"
          

          
          

        • Upon successful completion of SCP BFB transfer:

          {
                "@odata.type": "#MessageRegistry.v1_4_1.MessageRegistry",
                "Message": "Device 'DPU' successfully updated with image '<file_name>'.",
                "MessageArgs": [
                  "DPU",
                  "<file_name>"
                ],
                "MessageId": "Update.1.0.UpdateSuccessful",
                "Resolution": "None",
                "Severity": "OK"
              },
          …
          "PercentComplete": 100,
            "StartTime": "<start_time>",
            "TaskMonitor": "/redfish/v1/TaskService/Tasks/<task_id>/Monitor",
            "TaskState": "Completed",
            "TaskStatus": "OK"
          

Applying New BFB Image

BlueField must be restarted to apply the new firmware. To restart BlueField:

1. Perform a graceful shutdown of the BlueField Arm OS.

2. Power cycle the server to complete the restart.

Alternatively, a server reboot may be done instead of power cycle by following these steps:

1. Graceful shutdown the BlueField Arm OS. 

   Without graceful shutdown of BlueField Arm OS during server reboot, the BlueField Arm side does not undergo a restart process (so only NIC firmware is applied).

   
   

2. Wait until completed.

3. Reboot the server (ATF, UEFI, BlueField Arm OS, NIC firmware is applied). 

   Server reboot will not restart the BlueField BMC (CEC not applied).

   
   

4. Log into BlueField BMC via Redfish and issue a restart (BlueField BMC and CEC is applied).

5. Verify that the new BFB is running by checking its version:

   curl -k -u root:'<password>' -H "Content-Type: application/json" -X GET https://<bmc_ip>/redfish/v1/UpdateService/FirmwareInventory/DPU_OS
   

Installing BFB File with HTTP Protocol

1. Make sure the BFB file, new.bfb, is available on HTTP server

2. Initiate image transfer. Run the following Redfish command:

   curl -k -u root:'<password>' -H "Content-Type: application/json" -X POST -d '{"TransferProtocol":"HTTP", "ImageURI":"<image_uri>","Targets":["redfish/v1/UpdateService/FirmwareInventory/DPU_OS"]}' https://<bmc_ip>/redfish/v1/UpdateService/Actions/UpdateService.SimpleUpdate
   

   
   

   This command uses HTTP to download the image, initiates a soft reset on the BlueField, and pushes the boot stream. For NVIDIA-supplied BFBs, the eMMC is flashed automatically once the boot stream is pushed. Upon success, a running message is received.

   
   

   After the BMC boots, it may take a few seconds (6-8 seconds in BlueField-2 and 2 seconds in BlueField-3) until the BlueField BSP (DPU_OS) is up.

   Where:

• • image_uri – contains both the HTTP server address and the exported path to the .bfb file on the server, with one slash between the two fields (i.e., <http_server>/<exported_path_of_bfb>).

    For example, if <http_server> is 10.10.10.10 and <exported_path_of_bfb> is /tmp/new.bfb then "ImageURI":"10.10.10.10//tmp/new.bfb".
    

    
    

  • bmc_ip – BMC IP address

    Response/error messages:

    • If RShim is disabled: 

      {
        "error": {
          "@Message.ExtendedInfo": [
            {
              "@odata.type": "#Message.v1_1_1.Message",
              "Message": "The requested resource of type Target named '/dev/rshim0/boot' was not found.",
              "MessageArgs": [
                "Target",
                "/dev/rshim0/boot"
              ],
              "MessageId": "Base.1.15.0.ResourceNotFound",
              "MessageSeverity": "Critical",
              "Resolution": "Provide a valid resource identifier and resubmit the request."
            }
          ],
          "code": "Base.1.15.0.ResourceNotFound",
          "message": "The requested resource of type Target named '/dev/rshim0/boot' was not found."
      }
      

      
      

    • If the HTTPS server address is wrong or the HTTPS service is not stated, an "Unknown Host" error is expected:

          {
            "@odata.type": "#MessageRegistry.v1_4_1.MessageRegistry",
            "Message": "Transfer of image 'new.bfb' to '/dev/rshim0/boot' failed.",
            "MessageArgs": [
              "new.bfb",
              "/dev/rshim0/boot"
            ],
            "MessageId": "Update.1.0.TransferFailed",
            "Resolution": "Unknown Host: Please provide server's public key using PublicKeyExchange (for SCP download) or  Check and restart server's web service (for HTTP/HTTPS download)",
            "Severity": "Critical"
          },
      

      
      

    • If TransferProtocol or any other required field are wrong:

      {
        "@Message.ExtendedInfo": [     {
              "@odata.type": "#Message.v1_1_1.Message",
              "Message": "The parameter TransferProtocol for the action UpdateService.SimpleUpdate is not supported on the target resource.",
              "MessageArgs": [
                "TransferProtocol",
                "UpdateService.SimpleUpdate"
              ],
              "MessageId": "Base.1.16.0.ActionParameterNotSupported",
              "MessageSeverity": "Warning",
              "Resolution": "Remove the parameter supplied and resubmit the request if the operation failed."
            }
         ]
      }
      

      
      

    • If Targets or any other required field are missing:

      {   
        "Targets@Message.ExtendedInfo": [
          {
            "@odata.type": "#Message.v1_1_1.Message",
            "Message": "The create operation failed because the required property Targets was missing from the request.",
            "MessageArgs": [
              "Targets"
            ],
            "MessageId": "Base.1.16.0.CreateFailedMissingReqProperties",
            "MessageSeverity": "Critical",
            "Resolution": "Correct the body to include the required property with a valid value and resubmit the request if the operation failed."
          }
        ]
      }
      

      
      

    • Success message if the request is valid and a task is created: 

      {
        "@odata.id": 
         "/redfish/v1/TaskService/Tasks/<task_id>",
        "@odata.type": "#Task.v1_4_3.Task",
        "Id": "<task_id>",
        "TaskState": "Running",
        "TaskStatus": "OK"
      }
      
      
      

      
      

Installing BFB File with HTTPS Protocol

1. Make sure the BFB file, new.bfb, is available on HTTPS server

2. Make sure the BMC has certificate to authenticate the HTTPS server. Or install a valid certificate to authenticate:

   curl -c cjar -b cjar -k -u root:'<password>' -X POST https://$bmc/redfish/v1/Managers/Bluefield_BMC/Truststore/Certificates -d @CAcert.json
   

   
   

3. Initiate image transfer. Run the following Redfish command:

   curl -k -u root:'<password>' -H "Content-Type: application/json" -X POST -d '{"TransferProtocol":"HTTPS", "ImageURI":"<image_uri>","Targets":["redfish/v1/UpdateService/FirmwareInventory/DPU_OS"]}' https://<bmc_ip>/redfish/v1/UpdateService/Actions/UpdateService.SimpleUpdate
   

   
   

   This command uses HTTPS for the image download, initiates a soft reset on the BlueField, and then pushes the boot stream. For NVIDIA-supplied BFBs, the eMMC is flashed automatically once the boot stream is pushed. Upon success, a running message is received.

   
   

   After the BMC boots, it may take a few seconds (6-8 seconds in BlueField-2 and 2 seconds in BlueField-3) until the BlueField BSP (DPU_OS) is up.

   Where:

• • image_uri – contains both the HTTPS server address and the exported path to the .bfb file on the server, with one slash between the two fields (i.e., <https_server>/<exported_path_of_bfb>). 
    

    For example, if <https_server> is urm.nvidia.com and <exported_path_of_bfb> is artifactory/sw-mlnx-bluefield-generic/Ubuntu22.04/new.bfb then "ImageURI":"10.126.206.42/artifactory/sw-mlnx-bluefield-generic/Ubuntu22.04/new.bfb".

    
    

  • bmc_ip – BMC IP address

    Response / error messages:

• • • If RShim is disabled: 

      {
        "error": {
          "@Message.ExtendedInfo": [
            {
              "@odata.type": "#Message.v1_1_1.Message",
              "Message": "The requested resource of type Target named '/dev/rshim0/boot' was not found.",
              "MessageArgs": [
                "Target",
                "/dev/rshim0/boot"
              ],
              "MessageId": "Base.1.15.0.ResourceNotFound",
              "MessageSeverity": "Critical",
              "Resolution": "Provide a valid resource identifier and resubmit the request."
            }
          ],
          "code": "Base.1.15.0.ResourceNotFound",
          "message": "The requested resource of type Target named '/dev/rshim0/boot' was not found."
      }
      

      
      

    • If the HTTPS server address is wrong or the HTTPS service is not stated, an "Unknown Host" error is expected:

          {
            "@odata.type": "#MessageRegistry.v1_4_1.MessageRegistry",
            "Message": "Transfer of image 'new.bfb' to '/dev/rshim0/boot' failed.",
            "MessageArgs": [
              "new.bfb",
              "/dev/rshim0/boot"
            ],
            "MessageId": "Update.1.0.TransferFailed",
            "Resolution": "Unknown Host: Please provide server's public key using PublicKeyExchange (for SCP download) or  Check and restart server's web service (for HTTP/HTTPS download)",
            "Severity": "Critical"
          },
      

      
      

    • If TransferProtocol or any other required field are wrong:

      {
        "@Message.ExtendedInfo": [     {
              "@odata.type": "#Message.v1_1_1.Message",
              "Message": "The parameter TransferProtocol for the action UpdateService.SimpleUpdate is not supported on the target resource.",
              "MessageArgs": [
                "TransferProtocol",
                "UpdateService.SimpleUpdate"
              ],
              "MessageId": "Base.1.16.0.ActionParameterNotSupported",
              "MessageSeverity": "Warning",
              "Resolution": "Remove the parameter supplied and resubmit the request if the operation failed."
            }
         ]
      }
      

      
      

• • • If Targets or any other required field are missing:

      {   
        "Targets@Message.ExtendedInfo": [
          {
            "@odata.type": "#Message.v1_1_1.Message",
            "Message": "The create operation failed because the required property Targets was missing from the request.",
            "MessageArgs": [
              "Targets"
            ],
            "MessageId": "Base.1.16.0.CreateFailedMissingReqProperties",
            "MessageSeverity": "Critical",
            "Resolution": "Correct the body to include the required property with a valid value and resubmit the request if the operation failed."
          }
        ]
      }
      

      
      

• • • If the HTTPS server fails to authenticate the current installed certificate:

           {
            "@odata.type": "#MessageRegistry.v1_4_1.MessageRegistry",
            "Message": "Transfer of image 'new.bfb' to '/dev/rshim0/boot' failed.",
            "MessageArgs": [
              "new.bfb",
              "/dev/rshim0/boot"
            ],
            "MessageId": "Update.1.0.TransferFailed",
            "Resolution": "Bad Certificate: Please check the remote server certification, correct and replace the current installed one",
            "Severity": "Critical"
          }, 
      

      
      

• • • Success message if the request is valid and a task is created:

      {
        "@odata.id": 
         "/redfish/v1/TaskService/Tasks/<task_id>",
        "@odata.type": "#Task.v1_4_3.Task",
        "Id": "<task_id>",
        "TaskState": "Running",
        "TaskStatus": "OK"
      }
      

      
      

Tracking Image Transfer Status and Progress for HTTP/HTTPS Protocols

The following section is relevant for HTTP/HTTPS protocols which received a success message of a valid SimpleUpdate request and a running task state.

Run the following Redfish command to track image transfer status and progress:

curl -k -u root:'<password>' -X GET https://<bmc_ip>/redfish/v1/TaskService/Tasks/<task_id>

Example:

    {
      "@odata.type": "#MessageRegistry.v1_4_1.MessageRegistry",
      "Message": "Image 'new.bfb' is being transferred to '/dev/rshim0/boot'.",
      "MessageArgs": [
        "new.bfb",
        "/dev/rshim0/boot"
      ],
      "MessageId": "Update.1.0.TransferringToComponent",
      "Resolution": "Transfer started",
      "Severity": "OK"
    },
  …     

  "PercentComplete": 60,
  "StartTime": "2024-06-10T19:39:03+00:00",
  "TaskMonitor": "/redfish/v1/TaskService/Tasks/1/Monitor",
  "TaskState": "Running",
  "TaskStatus": "OK"

Direct SCP

scp <path_to_bfb> root@<bmc_ip>:/dev/rshim0/boot

If bf.cfg is required as part of the boot process, run:

cat <path_to_bfb> bf.cfg > new.bfb
scp <path to new.bfb> root@<bmc_ip>:/dev/rshim0/boot

Tracking Installation Progress and Status

After image transfer is complete, users may follow the installation progress and status with the help of a dump of current the RShim miscellaneous messages log.

1. Initiate request for dump download: 

   sudo curl -k -u root:'<password>' -d '{"DiagnosticDataType": "Manager"}' -X POST https://<ip_address>/redfish/v1/Managers/Bluefield_BMC/LogServices/Dump/Actions/LogService.CollectDiagnosticData
   

   Where:

   • <ip-address> – BMC IP address

   • <password> – BMC password

2. Use the received task ID to poll for dump completion:

   sudo curl -k -u root:'<password>' -H 'Content-Type: application/json' -X GET https://<ip_address>/redfish/v1/TaskService/Tasks/<task_id>
   

   Where:

   • <ip-address> – BMC IP address

   • <password> – BMC password

   • <task_id> – Task ID received from the first command

3. Once dump is complete, download and review the dump:

   sudo curl -k -u root:'<password>' -H 'Content-Type: application/json' -X GET https://<ip_address>/redfish/v1/Managers/Bluefield_BMC/LogServices/Dump/Entries/<entry_id>/attachment --output </path/to/tar/log_dump.tar.xz>
   

   Where:

   • <ip-address> – BMC IP address

   • <password> – BMC password

   • <entry_id> – The entry ID of the dump in redfish/v1/Managers/Bluefield_BMC/LogServices/Dump/Entries

   • </path/to/tar/log_dump.tar.xz> – path to download the log dump log_dump.tar.xz

4. Untar the file to review the logs. For example:

   tar xvfJ log_dump.tar.xz
   

   
   

5. The log is contained in the rshim.log file. The log displays Reboot, finished, DPU is ready, or In Enhanced NIC mode when BFB installation completes.

   If the downloaded log file does not contain any of these strings, keep downloading the log file until they appear.

   
   

6. When installation is complete, you may crosscheck the new BFB version against the version provided to verify a successful upgrade:

   curl -k -u root:"<PASSWORD>" -H "Content-Type: application/json" -X GET https://<bmc_ip>/redfish/v1/UpdateService/FirmwareInventory/DPU_OS
   

   Example response: 

   "@odata.id": "/redfish/v1/UpdateService/FirmwareInventory/DPU_OS", 
    "@odata.type": "#SoftwareInventory.v1_4_0.SoftwareInventory", 
    "Description": "Host image", 
    "Id": "DPU_OS", 
    "Members@odata.count": 1, 
    "Name": "Software Inventory", 
    "RelatedItem": [ 
      { 
        "@odata.id": "/redfish/v1/Systems/Bluefield/Bios" 
      } 
    ], 
    "SoftwareId": "", 
    "Status": { 
      "Conditions": [], 
      "Health": "OK", 
      "HealthRollup": "OK", 
      "State": "Enabled" 
    }, 
    "Updateable": true, 
    "Version": "DOCA_2.2.0_BSP_4.2.1_Ubuntu_22.04-8.23-07" 
   

   
   

Step 6 – Verify Software Component Versions

Verify BlueField BSP, BlueField BMC and BlueField NIC firmware versions are up to date according to the NVIDIA BlueField BMC Software User Manual and NVIDIA BlueField BSP Release Notes.

1. Use the Redfish FirmwareInventory schema over the 1GbE OOB interface to the BlueField's BMC:

   [redfish_scripts] $ curl -k -u root:<password> -H "Content-Type: application/octet-stream" -X GET https://<BF-BMC-IP>/redfish/v1/UpdateService/FirmwareInventory
   {
     "@odata.id": "/redfish/v1/UpdateService/FirmwareInventory",
     "@odata.type": "#SoftwareInventoryCollection.SoftwareInventoryCollection",
     "Members": [
       {
         "@odata.id": "/redfish/v1/UpdateService/FirmwareInventory/9f7ec75a_BMC_Firmware"
       },
       {
         "@odata.id": "/redfish/v1/UpdateService/FirmwareInventory/Bluefield_FW_ERoT"
       },
       {
         "@odata.id": "/redfish/v1/UpdateService/FirmwareInventory/DPU_ATF"
       },
       {
         "@odata.id": "/redfish/v1/UpdateService/FirmwareInventory/DPU_BOARD"
       },
       {
         "@odata.id": "/redfish/v1/UpdateService/FirmwareInventory/DPU_BSP"
       },
       {
         "@odata.id": "/redfish/v1/UpdateService/FirmwareInventory/DPU_NIC"
       },
       {
         "@odata.id": "/redfish/v1/UpdateService/FirmwareInventory/DPU_NODE"
       },
       {
         "@odata.id": "/redfish/v1/UpdateService/FirmwareInventory/DPU_OFED"
       },
       {
         "@odata.id": "/redfish/v1/UpdateService/FirmwareInventory/DPU_OS"
       },
       {
         "@odata.id": "/redfish/v1/UpdateService/FirmwareInventory/DPU_SYS_IMAGE"
       },
       {
         "@odata.id": "/redfish/v1/UpdateService/FirmwareInventory/DPU_UEFI"
       }
     ],
     "Members@odata.count": 11,
     "Name": "Software Inventory Collection"
   }
   

   Response example for DPU_ATF:

   > curl -k -u root:<password> -H "Content-Type: application/octet-stream" -X GET https://<BF-BMC-IP>/redfish/v1/UpdateService/FirmwareInventory/DPU_ATF
   {
     "@odata.id": "/redfish/v1/UpdateService/FirmwareInventory/DPU_ATF",
     "@odata.type": "#SoftwareInventory.v1_4_0.SoftwareInventory",
     "Description": "Host image",
     "Id": "DPU_ATF",
     "Members@odata.count": 1,
     "Name": " "Software Inventory",
     "RelatedItem": [
       {
         "@odata.id": "/redfish/v1/Systems/Bluefield/Bios"
       }
     ],
     "SoftwareId": "",
     "Status": {
       "Health": "OK",
       "HealthRollup": "OK",
       "State": "OK",
     },
     "Updateable": true,
     "Version": "v2.2(release):4.0.2-33-gd9f4ad5"
   

   
   

   This request may also be used to query some of the other previously mentioned components (e.g., 9f7ec75a_BMC_Firmware, Bluefield_FW_ERoT).

   
   

2. If the versions are not as expected, upgrade as needed:Download the latest DOCA (BFB file) versions from the downloader at the bottom of the DOCA product page.DOCA (BFB) upgrade options (upgrading UEFI, ATF, Arm OS, NIC firmware components):Recommended—BFB upgrade from remote management controller using Redfish UpdateService schema over 1GbE to BlueField BMC:  export token=`curl -k -H "Content-Type: application/json" -X POST https://<bmc_ip>/login -d '{"username":"root", "password":"<password>"}' | grep token | awk '{print $2;}' | tr -d '"'` For more information on deploying BlueField software from the BMC, refer to the "Deploying BlueField Software Using BFB from BMC" page of the NVIDIA BlueField BSP document.

Step 7 – Relate BlueField to BlueField BMC and NIC Data Ports on Same Machine

1. Get the BlueField's BMC MAC address using the following Redfish command over the 1GbE OOB port to the BlueField BMC:

   curl -k -u root:<password> -H 'Content-Type: application/json' -X GET https://<BF-BMC-IP>/redfish/v1/Managers/Bluefield_BMC/EthernetInterfaces/eth0
    {
      "@odata.id": "/redfish/v1/Managers/Bluefield_BMC/EthernetInterfaces/eth0",
      "@odata.type": "#EthernetInterface.v1_6_0.EthernetInterface",
      "DHCPv4": {
        "DHCPEnabled": true,
        "UseDNSServers": true,
        "UseDomainName": true,
        "UseNTPServers": true
      },
      "DHCPv6": {
        "OperatingMode": "Stateful",
        "UseDNSServers": true,
        "UseDomainName": true,
        "UseNTPServers": true
      },
      "Description": "Management Network Interface",
      "FQDN": "dpu-bmc",
      "HostName": "BlueField-bmc",
      "IPv4Addresses": [
        {
          "Address": "10.237.40.179",
          "AddressOrigin": "DHCP",
          "Gateway": "0.0.0.0",
          "SubnetMask": "255.255.0.0"
        }
      ],
      "IPv4StaticAddresses": [],
      "IPv6AddressPolicyTable": [],
      "IPv6Addresses": [
        {
          "Address": "fdfd:fdfd:10:237:966d:aeff:fe17:9f5f",
          "AddressOrigin": "DHCPv6",
          "AddressState": null,
          "PrefixLength": 64
        },
        {
          "Address": "fe80::966d:aeff:fe17:9f5f",
          "AddressOrigin": "LinkLocal",
          "AddressState": null,
          "PrefixLength": 64
        }
      ],
      "IPv6DefaultGateway": "fe80::445b:ed80:5f97:8900",
      "IPv6StaticAddresses": [],
      "Id": "eth0",
      "InterfaceEnabled": true,
      "LinkStatus": "LinkUp",
      "MACAddress": "94:6d:ae:17:9f:5f",
      "MTUSize": 1500,
      "Name": "Manager Ethernet Interface",
      "NameServers": [
        "fdfd:fdfd:7:77:250:56ff:fe8b:e4f9"
      ],
      "SpeedMbps": 0,
      "StaticNameServers": [],
      "Status": {
        "Health": "OK",
        "HealthRollup": "OK",
        "State": "Enabled"
      },
      "VLANs": {
        "@odata.id": "/redfish/v1/Managers/Bluefield_BMC/EthernetInterfaces/eth0/VLANs"
      }
    }
   

   
   

2. Get the BlueField's high-speed port's MAC addresses using the following Redfish command over the 1GbE OOB port to the BlueField BMC: 

   curl -k -u root:<password> -H "Content-Type: application/octet-stream" -X GET https://<bmc_ip>/redfish/v1/Chassis/Card1/NetworkAdapters/NvidiaNetworkAdapter/NetworkDeviceFunctions/eth0f0
   {
     "@odata.id": "/redfish/v1/Chassis/Card1/NetworkAdapters/NvidiaNetworkAdapter/NetworkDeviceFunctions/eth0f0",
     "@odata.type": "#NetworkDeviceFunction.v1_9_0.NetworkDeviceFunction",
     "Ethernet": {
       "MACAddress": "02:b1:b6:12:39:05",
       "MTUSize": 1500
     },
     "Id": "eth0f0",
     "Links": {
       "OffloadSystem": {
         "@odata.id": "/redfish/v1/Systems/Bluefield"
       },
       "PhysicalPortAssignment": {
         "@odata.id": "/redfish/v1/Chassis/Card1/NetworkAdapters/NvidiaNetworkAdapter/Ports/eth0"
       }
     },
     "Name": "NetworkDeviceFunction",
     "NetDevFuncCapabilities": [
       "Ethernet"
     ],
     "NetDevFuncType": "Ethernet"
   }
   

   
   

Step 8 – Change Mode of Operation to Zero-trust Mode

Unless it is explicitly desired for the host to be trusted, make sure to disable the host PCIe RShim to protect the BlueField from potential security threats from the host:

1. Use Redfish BIOS settings schema over the 1GbE OOB to the BlueField BMC:

   curl -k -X PATCH -d '{"Attributes":{"Internal CPU Model": "Restricted"}}' -u root:<password> https://<BF-BMC-IP>/redfish/v1/Systems/<SystemID>/Bios/Settings | python3 -m json.tool
   

   The available BlueField host privilege levels are Restricted and Privileged. The default is Privileged, where the host has access to BlueField.

2. Change the privilege level to Restricted.

Step 9 – (Optional) Change Mode of Operation from DPU Mode to NIC Mode

To change from DPU mode to NIC mode (or vice versa):

1. To enable NIC mode:

   curl -k -u root:<password> -H 'content-type: application/json' -d '{ "Attributes": { "NicMode": "NicMode" } }' -X PATCH https://<BF-BMC-IP>/redfish/v1/Systems/Bluefield/Bios/Settings
   

   
   

2. To disable NIC mode:

   curl -k -u root:<password> -H 'content-type: application/json' -d '{ "Attributes": { "NicMode": "DpuMode" } }' -X PATCH https://<BF-BMC-IP>/redfish/v1/Systems/Bluefield/Bios/Settings
   

   
   

3. To check that the BMC recorded the change for the next UEFI reboot to apply it:

   curl -k -u root:<password> -H 'content-type: application/json' -X GET https://<BF-BMC-IP>/redfish/v1/Systems/Bluefield/Bios/Settings
   

   
   

   Reset the BlueField (Arm and NIC) for the mode change to take effect.

   
   

4. To verify that the NIC mode has updated accordingly:

   curl -k -u root:<password> -H 'content-type: application/json' -X GET https://<BF-BMC-IP>/redfish/v1/Systems/Bluefield/Bios/
   

   
   

Step 10 – (Optional) Disable Secure Boot

As part of the default settings of the BlueField, UEFI Secure Boot is enabled and requires no special configuration to use it with the bundled Ubuntu OS shipped with the BlueField device. Disabling UEFI Secure Boot may be necessary when running an unsigned Arm OS image, such as a customer OS. Using Redfish Secure Boot schema over 1GbE to BlueField BMC, run:

curl -k -u root:<password> -H "Content-Type: application/octet-stream" -X GET https://<BF-BMC-IP>/redfish/v1/Systems/Bluefield/SecureBoot
{
  "@odata.id": "/redfish/v1/Systems/Bluefield/SecureBoot",
  "@odata.type": "#SecureBoot.v1_1_0.SecureBoot",
  "Description": "The UEFI Secure Boot associated with this system.",
  "Id": "SecureBoot",
  "Name": "UEFI Secure Boot",
  "SecureBootCurrentBoot": "Enabled",
  "SecureBootEnable": true,
  "SecureBootMode": "SetupMode"
} 
curl -k -u root:<BF-BMC-PASSWORD> -X PATCH https://<BF-BMC-IP>/redfish/v1/Systems/Bluefield/SecureBoot -H 'Content-Type: application/json' -d '{"SecureBootEnable": false}'

After running this command, the BlueField Arm OS must be rebooted twice. The first reboot is for the UEFI redfish client to read the request from the BMC and apply it; the second reboot is for the setting to take effect.

• From the BlueField BMC using Redfish:

  curl -k -u root:<BF-BMC-PASSWORD> -X POST https://<BF-BMC-IP>/redfish/v1/Systems/Bluefield/Actions/ComputerSystem.Reset -H 'Content-Type: application/json' -d '{"ResetType":"ForceRestart"}'
  

  
  

• From RShim:

  echo 'SW_RESET 1' > /dev/rshim0/misc
  

  
  

• From the BlueField Arm OS:

  reboot
  

  
  

For more information on user management, review this page.

Last updated: February 25, 2026