Technical overview

Users can use Lenovo XClarity Essentials Bootable Media Creator (hereinafter referred to as BoMC) to create bootable media suitable for firmware updates, VPD updates, inventory and FFDC collection, advanced system configuration, FoD Keys management, and diagnostics on supported ThinkSystem, System x, BladeCenter systems, and storage platform.

Using BoMC, users can create a single bootable image on supported media (such as CD, DVD, ISO image, USB flash drive, or set of PXE files) that bundles multiple ThinkSystem, System x, and BladeCenter systems updates from UpdateXpress System Packs containing firmware update packages. From V11.4.0, BoMC supports users to update firmware on supported storage platforms through bootable ISO. From V11.5.1, BoMC supports users to create a full (all-in-one) bootable image for full management function, including firmware update, VPD update, inventory and FFDC collection, advanced system configuration, FoD Keys management, diagnostics, RAID configuration, and secure erase.
Important: Device drivers are not included in the bootable image and must be updated separately.

BoMC can acquire the latest bootable environment, UpdateXpress System Pack, individual updates, and other required components from the local system. You can also download these components from the Lenovo Web site. You can use an HTTP proxy server when connecting to the Lenovo Web site. The server shall support SSL.

You can run only one instance of Bootable Media Creator on a system at a time, whether it is started from the graphical or command-line interface.

Prerequisites: You must have administrator or root-equivalent operating-system privileges to use Bootable Media Creator.