A technician reads that a critical firmware update is available for a file server. What is the BEST course of action?

Selecting the option to download the update and test it on a non-production server is the best course of action when dealing with a critical firmware update for a file server. This approach minimizes the risk of potential issues that could arise from applying the update directly to a live production environment.

By testing the firmware update on a non-production server, the technician can observe how the update interacts with the existing system configurations and workloads without affecting the operational server. This allows for troubleshooting any unforeseen problems, system compatibility, or performance impacts that might occur post-update.

Additionally, using a non-production server provides the opportunity to verify that the update addresses the necessary issues without introducing new ones, ensuring that the file server remains stable and secure when the update is eventually applied. Therefore, this cautious and methodical approach is essential for maintaining the reliability and integrity of critical server resources.