MS-A2 Firmware Update Guide

Overview

This guide covers firmware updates for MINISFORUM MS-A2 machines before ESXi deployment. Updating firmware ensures stability, compatibility, and optimal performance.

Firmware Components to Update

  1. BIOS/UEFI Firmware - System firmware
  2. BMC/IPMI Firmware (if applicable)
  3. NVMe SSD Firmware - All three SSDs
  4. Network Controller Firmware - 10G SFP+ and 2.5G controllers
  5. AMD Chipset Drivers (if running Windows for updates)

Pre-Update Preparation

Required Tools

  • USB flash drive (8GB minimum, USB 3.0 recommended)
  • Another computer for downloading firmware
  • Ethernet cable for network connectivity
  • Power cable (ensure uninterrupted power during updates)

Important Warnings

⚠️ NEVER interrupt a firmware update in progress ⚠️ Ensure stable power - consider using a UPS ⚠️ Update one component at a time ⚠️ Document current firmware versions before updating

Step 1: Document Current Firmware Versions

Boot into BIOS

  1. Power on the MS-A2
  2. Press DEL or F7 during POST
  3. Navigate to System Information
  4. Document:
    • BIOS Version: _____
    • BIOS Date: _____
    • ME Firmware Version: _____

Check SSD Firmware (from BIOS)

  1. Navigate to Advanced → Storage Information
  2. Document firmware versions:
    • Samsung 980 Pro 500GB: _____
    • Samsung 990 PRO 4TB: _____
    • WD_BLACK SN850X 4TB: _____

Step 2: Download Latest Firmware

MINISFORUM BIOS

  1. Visit: https://www.minisforum.com/support
  2. Search for MS-A2
  3. Download latest BIOS package
  4. Verify checksum if provided

SSD Firmware Tools

Samsung SSDs (980 Pro & 990 PRO)

  1. Download Samsung Magician software
  2. URL: https://semiconductor.samsung.com/consumer-storage/support/tools/
  3. Alternative: Create Samsung bootable ISO for firmware updates

WD_BLACK SN850X

  1. Download Western Digital Dashboard
  2. URL: https://support.wdc.com/downloads.aspx
  3. Select: WD_BLACK SN850X → Firmware updates

Network Controller Firmware

  1. Check MINISFORUM support page for network firmware
  2. If using Intel NICs, check Intel Download Center
  3. If using Realtek 2.5G, check Realtek support

Step 3: Create Bootable Update Media

Option A: MINISFORUM Update USB

  1. Format USB drive as FAT32
  2. Extract BIOS update files to USB root

  3. Create folder structure:

    /EFI/BOOT/
/BIOS/
/TOOLS/

Option B: FreeDOS Boot USB (Universal Method)

  1. Download Rufus (Windows) or balenaEtcher (Mac/Linux)
  2. Download FreeDOS image
  3. Create bootable FreeDOS USB
  4. Copy firmware files to USB
  1. Download Ubuntu Server 22.04 LTS ISO
  2. Create bootable USB using Rufus/balenaEtcher
  3. Boot into Ubuntu live environment for firmware updates

Step 4: Update BIOS/UEFI

BIOS Update Methods

Method 1: EZ Flash (Built-in BIOS Utility)

  1. Copy BIOS file to FAT32 formatted USB
  2. Enter BIOS setup (DEL/F7)
  3. Navigate to Tool → EZ Flash or M-Flash
  4. Select USB drive
  5. Select BIOS file
  6. Confirm update
  7. DO NOT power off during update (5-10 minutes)
  8. System will reboot automatically

Method 2: BIOS Recovery (If Available)

  1. Power off system
  2. Insert USB with BIOS file
  3. Hold BIOS Recovery Button (check manual for location)
  4. Power on while holding button
  5. Release after 3 seconds
  6. Update proceeds automatically

Post-BIOS Update

  1. System may boot loop 2-3 times (normal)
  2. Enter BIOS setup
  3. Load defaults (F5 or F9)
  4. Reconfigure critical settings:
    • Enable virtualization features
    • Set PCIe 4.0 for M.2 slots
    • Disable Secure Boot
  5. Save and exit

Step 5: Update SSD Firmware

Boot into Linux Live Environment

  1. Boot from Ubuntu USB
  2. Select “Try Ubuntu” for live session

Samsung SSD Updates (980 Pro & 990 PRO)

Using Samsung Magician on Linux 

# Download Samsung firmware update ISO
wget https://semiconductor.samsung.com/resources/software-resources/Samsung_SSD_990_PRO_4B2QJXD7.iso
wget https://semiconductor.samsung.com/resources/software-resources/Samsung_SSD_980_PRO_5B2QGXA7.iso

# Create mount points
sudo mkdir /mnt/samsung990
sudo mkdir /mnt/samsung980

# Mount ISOs
sudo mount -o loop Samsung_SSD_990_PRO_*.iso /mnt/samsung990
sudo mount -o loop Samsung_SSD_980_PRO_*.iso /mnt/samsung980

# Run firmware updater
sudo /mnt/samsung990/samsung_fw_updater
sudo /mnt/samsung980/samsung_fw_updater

Alternative: nvme-cli Method 

# Install nvme-cli
sudo apt update
sudo apt install nvme-cli

# List NVMe devices
sudo nvme list

# Check current firmware
sudo nvme id-ctrl /dev/nvme0 | grep fr
sudo nvme id-ctrl /dev/nvme1 | grep fr
sudo nvme id-ctrl /dev/nvme2 | grep fr

# Download firmware if available
sudo nvme fw-download /dev/nvme0 -f firmware_file.bin

# Commit firmware
sudo nvme fw-commit /dev/nvme0 -s 1 -a 3

WD_BLACK SN850X Update 

# Download WD firmware update tool
wget https://downloads.wdc.com/wd_ssd_firmware_update.tar.gz

# Extract and run
tar -xzf wd_ssd_firmware_update.tar.gz
cd wd_ssd_firmware_update
sudo ./wd_fw_update

# Select the SN850X drive
# Follow prompts to update

Step 6: Update Network Firmware

Check Current Network Firmware 

# In Linux live environment
# For Intel NICs
sudo ethtool -i eth0
sudo ethtool -i eth1

# Check 10G SFP+ ports
sudo ethtool -i enp1s0f0
sudo ethtool -i enp1s0f1

Update Network Firmware

  1. Download appropriate firmware package
  2. Extract to USB drive
  3. Run update utility per manufacturer instructions
  4. Reboot after completion

Step 7: Verify All Updates

Final Verification Checklist

  1. Boot into BIOS
    • Verify new BIOS version
    • Check all SSDs are detected
    • Verify memory is detected correctly

  2. Boot Linux Live USB

    # Verify SSD firmware versions
sudo nvme list
   
# Check detailed info
sudo smartctl -a /dev/nvme0
sudo smartctl -a /dev/nvme1
sudo smartctl -a /dev/nvme2
  3. Network Controllers
    • Both 10G SFP+ ports detected
    • Both 2.5G ports detected
    • Link speeds correct

Step 8: Final BIOS Configuration

After all firmware updates, configure BIOS for ESXi:

Essential Settings

  1. CPU Configuration
    • AMD-V: Enabled
    • IOMMU: Enabled
    • SR-IOV: Enabled
    • C-States: Disabled (for consistency)
  2. Storage Configuration
    • SATA Mode: AHCI
    • M.2_2 PCIe Mode: 4.0
    • M.2_3 PCIe Mode: 4.0
    • Hot Plug: Enabled
  3. Network Configuration
    • LAN Controller: Enabled
    • 10G SFP+ Controllers: Enabled
    • Wake on LAN: Enabled
    • PXE Boot: Enabled (for network installs)
  4. Boot Configuration
    • Boot Mode: UEFI
    • Secure Boot: Disabled
    • Fast Boot: Disabled
    • Boot Priority: USB → Samsung 980 Pro
  5. Power Management
    • Power Profile: Performance
    • Fan Profile: Performance or Custom
    • Restore on AC Loss: Last State

Troubleshooting

BIOS Update Fails

  • Verify USB is FAT32 formatted
  • Try different USB port (USB 2.0 preferred for BIOS)
  • Use BIOS recovery method if available
  • Check file naming (some BIOS require specific names)

SSD Firmware Won’t Update

  • Ensure SSD is not frozen (security state)
  • Try hot-plug method (connect after OS boots)
  • Use manufacturer’s bootable ISO
  • Check for newer firmware tool versions

Network Firmware Issues

  • Boot into Windows PE for Windows-only updaters
  • Use manufacturer’s Linux tools when available
  • Check if firmware is embedded in BIOS update

Documentation Template

MS-A2 Unit 1

Serial Number: _____ MAC Addresses:

  • 10G Port 1: _____
  • 10G Port 2: _____
  • 2.5G Port 1: _____
  • 2.5G Port 2: _____

Final Firmware Versions:

  • BIOS: _____
  • Samsung 980 Pro: _____
  • Samsung 990 PRO: _____
  • WD_BLACK SN850X: _____
  • Network Controllers: _____

MS-A2 Unit 2

Serial Number: _____ MAC Addresses:

  • 10G Port 1: _____
  • 10G Port 2: _____
  • 2.5G Port 1: _____
  • 2.5G Port 2: _____

Final Firmware Versions:

  • BIOS: _____
  • Samsung 980 Pro: _____
  • Samsung 990 PRO: _____
  • WD_BLACK SN850X: _____
  • Network Controllers: _____

Next Steps

After completing firmware updates:

  1. Install ESXi 8.0.3 on both hosts
  2. Configure networking for management and storage
  3. Add to vCenter for centralized management
  4. Configure vSAN ESA if implementing
  5. Run hardware compatibility checks

Important Notes

  • Always update BIOS before SSD firmware
  • Some SSD firmware updates may erase data (check release notes)
  • Network firmware often requires BIOS update first
  • Document everything - serial numbers, MAC addresses, firmware versions
  • Keep firmware files archived for future reference

Resources

This project is for educational and home lab purposes.