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
>>>
>>>
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>>>
>>
>>
>>
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>
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