Microcode patches are provided by CPU vendors to correct CPU errata. These errata generally affect a very small number of users, so unless your system is mission-critical or you are already experiencing problems, you can likely continue without this microcode patch.
Typically, system vendors provide microcode patches as part of their BIOS/firmware updates. You may be able to obtain a BIOS/firmware update from your system vendor that contains this microcode patch.
Microsoft also provides microcode patches in their Windows updates. If you are running Microsoft Windows on your host, you may be able to obtain a Windows update that contains this microcode patch.
Linux provides a facility for loading microcode patches at boot. If you are running Linux on your host, see the man page for
microcode_ctl(8). This facility requires a microcode data file, which you can download from Intel.
If you come across this issue in an ESXi/ESX virtual machine, contact your server hardware vendor to update your BIOS firmware.
To download the microcode data file from Intel:
- Go to http://downloadcenter.intel.com/default.aspx.
- Choose Processors from the Select a product family list.
- Choose your CPU's product line and product name from the Select a Product Line and Select a product name lists. Click Find.
- Choose an operating system as appropriate for your Linux distribution, then choose Firmware from the Download Type list.
- Choose the most recent Linux Processor Microcode Data File for download.