A system and method of updating device firmware on a rack server computer system using a network switch. The network switch receives a request to update the firmware of a device in the rack server computer system. The network switch determines the location of the device in the rack server system and transmits the firmware update to the device and commands the device to update its firmware using the firmware update transmitted by the switch. Alternatively, the network switch automatically detects a new device connected to the network switch in the rack server computer system. The network switch determines the identification of the new device, including its firmware, and determines if a newer version of the device firmware is available. The network switch obtains the newer version of the device firmware, transmits the firmware to the device, and commands the device to update its firmware with the newer version.