BIOS update failure when an update is performed using the Linux .bin files

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Environment

SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 15 SP2

Situation

When performing BIOS update using Linux .BIN file, the update does not succeed.
The impacted Dell platforms are : Dell EMC PowerEdge R240, R340, T140, T340

Resolution

The solution can be found in an updated kernel :
SUSE Linux Enterprise Module for Basesystem 15-SP2 Maintenance Update kernel-default-5.3.18-24.24.1

Cause

Interaction with Intel Management Engine Interface (Intel MEI) results in cold reboot instead of warm reboot.

Additional Information

When the kernel with the solution cannot (yet) be installed, a manual workaround can be applied by excluding the mei and mei_me drivers

Disclaimer

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