Zachary, while it is clear that the ability to downgrade is essential, DSU's attempt in this case is totally unrelated to Meltdown and Spectre as both BIOS versions long precede the patches.
Stefan > On Feb 17, 2018, at 11:51 PM, Zachary Wincek <zjwin...@oakland.edu> wrote: > > Paweł Eljasz, > A technician from Dell is better suited specifically to answer > your question, but you need only to review the sequence of events > regarding the Spectre and Meltdown patches for reasons that the > ability to downgrade is useful. > > 1) CVE-2017-5715, CVE-2017-5753, and CVE-2017-5754 published > <https://googleprojectzero.blogspot.com/2018/01/reading-privileged-memory-with-side.html> > 2) Intel patches microcode of CPUs > <https://newsroom.intel.com/news-releases/intel-issues-updates-protect-systems-security-exploits/> > 3) Driver incompatibilities > <https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2018/01/spectre-and-meltdown-patches-causing-trouble-as-realistic-attacks-get-closer/> > 4) Unexpected reboots > <http://www.tomshardware.com/news/intel-spectre-reboot-update-tested,36378.html> > 5) Dell recommends earlier UEFI with earlier microcode > <http://www.dell.com/support/article/in/en/inbsd1/sln308588/microprocessor-side-channel-vulnerabilities-cve-2017-5715-cve-2017-5753-cve-2017-5754-impact-on-dell-emc-products-dell-enterprise-servers-storage-and-networking-> > 6) Red Hat finds degraded performance with patches > <https://access.redhat.com/articles/3307751> > 7) Intel releases new microcode > <https://newsroom.intel.com/news/security-issue-update-progress-continues-firmware-updates/> > > Your point of having the information transparently documented > with a simple command-line switch for activation that is disabled by > default resonates with me. In many cases, such as the microcode > patch, we are dealing with trade-offs and risks. If I mitigate > speculative execution but reduce performance by 19%, then I want to > know what I have exchanged. The key is informing the person > responsible for the decision; otherwise, the downstream user is > completely at the mercy of the upstream developer. > -- > Zachary Wincek > > > On Fri, Feb 16, 2018 at 6:05 PM, lejeczek <pelj...@yahoo.co.uk> wrote: >> But why dsu would even suggest downgrades? Does it have a valid reason(s) >> when it does that? >> You know, software(not just Dell) downgrades happens sometimes and then it's >> usually something critical. >> I'm hoping for some clarification as to why DSU would propose a downgrade. >> It's not first time I'm seeing this and I must admit if again there are no >> clear answers and as for DSU it will no improve its programming logic - >> should be crystal clear with full info - then I'm another step closer to a >> path away from Dell. >> >> many thanks, L. >> >> >> >> On 16/02/18 14:02, Patrick Boutilier wrote: >>> >>> I always use -u to avoid seeing downgrades. >>> >>> u, --apply-upgrades-only List only upgradable >>> updates >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> On 02/16/2018 09:55 AM, Stefan M. Radman wrote: >>>> >>>> Kidding, are you? >>>> >>>> DSU contradicts the official Dell Support resource (not the first time). >>>> >>>> >>>> http://www.dell.com/support/home/us/en/19/drivers/driversdetails?driverId=80XJ1 >>>> >>>> Dell Lifecycle Controller v1.7.5 >>>> Version 1.7.5.4, A00 >>>> Release date 25 Jun 2015 >>>> Last Updated 09 Mar 2016 >>>> Importance: Recommended >>>> >>>> Other versions >>>> 1.6.5.12,A00 14 Apr 2014 4:20:04 PM >>>> >>>> Would you really? >>>> >>>> Stefan >>>> >>>>> On Feb 16, 2018, at 2:01 PM, lejeczek <pelj...@yahoo.co.uk> wrote: >>>>> >>>>> hi everyone, hi Dell guys >>>>> >>>>> would you know if that dsu on my R815s says is correct and should be >>>>> executed? >>>>> >>>>> [ ]1 Dell LifeCycle Controller v1.7.5, 1.7.5.4, A00 >>>>> Current Version : 1.7.5.4 Downgrade to : 1.6.5.12, Criticality : >>>>> Recommended >>>>> >>>>> many thanks, L. >>>>> >>>>> _______________________________________________ >>>>> Linux-PowerEdge mailing list >>>>> Linux-PowerEdge@dell.com >>>>> https://lists.us.dell.com/mailman/listinfo/linux-poweredge >>>> >>>> >>>> _______________________________________________ >>>> Linux-PowerEdge mailing list >>>> Linux-PowerEdge@dell.com >>>> https://lists.us.dell.com/mailman/listinfo/linux-poweredge >>>> >>> >>> >>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> Linux-PowerEdge mailing list >>> Linux-PowerEdge@dell.com >>> https://lists.us.dell.com/mailman/listinfo/linux-poweredge >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Linux-PowerEdge mailing list >> Linux-PowerEdge@dell.com >> https://lists.us.dell.com/mailman/listinfo/linux-poweredge > > _______________________________________________ > Linux-PowerEdge mailing list > Linux-PowerEdge@dell.com > https://lists.us.dell.com/mailman/listinfo/linux-poweredge _______________________________________________ Linux-PowerEdge mailing list Linux-PowerEdge@dell.com https://lists.us.dell.com/mailman/listinfo/linux-poweredge
