How can I Upgrade the Poweredge Linux Server BIOS?

How can I Upgrade the Poweredge Linux Server BIOS? Do I need floppy drive or CD/DVD drives? Does anybody have a method as to how to upgrade the BIOS without a floppy drive?

Answer: You do not need them, just download the current version of bios and execute it.

Caution: Have any important file backup as usual. Never unplug power or crash the server during upgrade.You must reboot the server after upgrade.

For example, the current poweredge 1950 bios is 2.6.1.

Login to you server and download from ftp site

Then execute the file

This prompts

Dell Update Package 6.1 (BLD_134)
Copyright (c) 2003-2009 Dell, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Release Title:
Dell Server BIOS, 2.6.1

Release Date:
May 27, 2009

Default Log File Name:
R222117

Supported System(s):
PowerEdge 1950

Description:
PowerEdge 1950, BIOS, 2.6.1

Supported Device(s):
Server BIOS

Fixes / Enhancements:
* Added support for Microsoft(R) Windows Server(R) 2008 R2 operating system.
* Updated Trusted Platform Module (TPM) ACPI Table.
* Enhanced USB keyboard code.
* Corrected an issue, where with SATA CDROM installed, the
“Default CD/DVD” boot through DRAC feature fails to boot from the CDROM.
* Corrected SMBIOS to indicate CPU Execute Disable support only if
the system configuration supports it.
* Updated Remote Access Configuration Utility to version 1.28. This corrects an
issue where the Domain Name cannot be modified with static IP address.
* Corrected a system freeze issue when changing Option ROM settings of a QLogic card.

Collecting inventory…
………………..
Running validation…

BIOS

The version of this Update Package is newer than the currently installed version.
Software application name: BIOS
Package version: 2.6.1
Installed version: 2.2.6
Continue? Y/N:Y
Executing update…
WARNING: DO NOT STOP THIS PROCESS OR INSTALL OTHER DELL PRODUCTS WHILE UPDATE IS IN PROGRESS.
THESE ACTIONS MAY CAUSE YOUR SYSTEM TO BECOME UNSTABLE!
…
The BIOS image file is successfully loaded. Reboot your system to complete the update. Do not shutdown, cold reboot, power cycle, or switch off your system before the BIOS update is complete. Restart your
system for the update to take effect since the update will be incomplete until you reboot the system
Would you like to reboot your system now?
Continue? Y/N:Y

Broadcast message from root (pts/1) (Fri Sep 11 04:07:51 2009):

The system is going down for reboot NOW!