HP ProLiant SL6000 Regular Firmware Updates Essential for Optimal Performance
HP ProLiant SL6000 Manual
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- HP ProLiant SL6000 | Regular Firmware Updates Essential for Optimal Performance - Page 1
Updates Essential for Optimal Performance and Functionality of HP ProLiant Servers Avoiding downtime and potential security risks is a high priority for ProLiant server customers. Ensuring that each server is running the latest drivers, patches, and operating system updates helps to establish - HP ProLiant SL6000 | Regular Firmware Updates Essential for Optimal Performance - Page 2
on another piece of hardware configured in the server, it is called the Option ROM. In ProLiant servers, hard drives, Smart Array Controllers, Remote Insight Lights-Out Edition (RILOE), Remote Insight Lights-Out Edition II (RILOE II) and Integrated Lights-Out (iLO) options have firmware that can - HP ProLiant SL6000 | Regular Firmware Updates Essential for Optimal Performance - Page 3
HP requires customers to update to this version at their earliest possible convenience. Customers can click on the icon to the right of the orange triangle to obtain the latest version. • The ProLiant Support the PSP and can be configured to send notifications on any number of system events.) The - HP ProLiant SL6000 | Regular Firmware Updates Essential for Optimal Performance - Page 4
Figure 2: The Version Control Agent page displays the currently installed version of each software component and the latest version. A green checkmark indicates that the columns match, a yellow triangle with an exclamation point indicates that an update is available. - HP ProLiant SL6000 | Regular Firmware Updates Essential for Optimal Performance - Page 5
Figure 3: Clicking on the latest version number allows the user to view detailed information about the update before installing it. - HP ProLiant SL6000 | Regular Firmware Updates Essential for Optimal Performance - Page 6
/servers/management/hpsim/index.html ProLiant Firmware Maintenance CD This CD contains the most up-to-date versions of firmware. However, HP recommends that whenever possible, customers use the System Management Home Page or HP Support website to obtain latest versions of firmware and drivers - HP ProLiant SL6000 | Regular Firmware Updates Essential for Optimal Performance - Page 7
installed using the HP Support and Drivers page on HP.COM, rather than the Firmware Maintenance CD that shipped with the server. In addition, it Guide at the following URL: http://www.compaq.com/support/files/server/us/webdoc/rom/OnlineROMFlashUserGuide.pdf Smart Components for HP ProLiant servers - HP ProLiant SL6000 | Regular Firmware Updates Essential for Optimal Performance - Page 8
. To determine server support, refer to the following URL: http://h18004.www1.hp.com/products/servers/platforms/usb-support.html For additional information on the HP Drive Key Boot Utility, refer to the following URL: http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bc/docs/support/SupportManual/c00218060/c00218060.pdf - HP ProLiant SL6000 | Regular Firmware Updates Essential for Optimal Performance - Page 9
following URL: http://www.compaq.com/support/files/server/us/locate/8641.html Worldwide Limited Warranty and Technical Support http://h18004.www1.hp.com/products/servers/platforms/warranty/index.html HP may, at its sole discretion, determine that onsite warranty service is not necessary on a case
Regular Firmware Updates Essential for Optimal Performance
and Functionality of HP ProLiant Servers
Avoiding downtime and potential security risks is a high priority for ProLiant server customers. Ensuring that
each server is running the latest drivers, patches, and operating system updates helps to establish this.
However, many customers are unaware that updating the server’s System ROM and the firmware of other
hardware components in the configuration is also essential for optimal system performance and system
stability. Top
This white paper covers the following topics:
Why Should I Update My Firmware?
What is Firmware?
How Can I Tell If A New Firmware Update Is Available?
How Do I Update My Firmware?
Updating Firmware Using the Online ROM Flash Method
Updating Firmware Using the Offline ROM Flash Method
Why Should I Update My Firmware?
It is important to update the firmware (also called “flashing the ROM”) as part of regular server maintenance.
In addition, checking for specific firmware updates in between regular updates helps to keep the server
performing optimally. Firmware updates are created for, but are not limited to, the following reasons:
• To provide critical problem fixes that ensure system stability, such as upgrades that may prevent server
unresponsiveness and other issues that could put the system at risk.
• To correct product issues, such as ROM or processor functionality.
• To improve system performance or make the system more serviceable.
Best Practice
: Many product issues that result in hardware replacement are preventable or correctable with a
firmware update. HP recommends checking for a firmware update before sending a part back to HP for
replacement. Based on the HP ProLiant product return rates, approximately 30 to 35 percent of all returned
hardware products were functioning properly and only needed a firmware update. Although not all products
fall into this category, server downtime and time spent removing, returning, and ultimately replacing hardware
may have been avoided if an attempt had been made to flash the firmware during the troubleshooting
process.