topic Re: Changing Proliant Serial Numbers in ProLiant Servers (ML,DL,SL)

Changing Proliant Serial Numbers

WJamhoury — Thu, 19 May 2011 13:41:38 GMT

Hi-

I work in a larger data center with many Proliant servers of all different models, generations, and OS's. In running reports, I have found that many machines have had system boards replaced over the years and the tech's have neglected to change the S/N to reflect that of the original board. I am looking to find a way to minimize down time while correcting these inconsistencies.

Does anyone know of a way to change the serial number on the system board (usually set in the RBSU) while the machine is online?

Could there be a way to script the update and minimize downtime during a reboot?

With the PSP updates you can process the update online and the changes take effect during a reboot. Is there a solution like this for updating a serial number?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Re: Changing Proliant Serial Numbers

Jan Soska — Thu, 19 May 2011 17:47:42 GMT

Hello,
I am afraid it can't be done online (or at least it is not public).
Maybe there is some parameter in hpasmcli command... http://h50146.www5.hp.com/products/software/oe/linux/mainstream/support/doc/general/mgmt/ima/v810/hpasmcli.txt

let's play with it.

jan

Re: Changing Proliant Serial Numbers

Jimmy Vance — Fri, 20 May 2011 02:37:33 GMT

There is a way to do what your asking. You'll have to open a support case for the solution.

Re: Changing Proliant Serial Numbers

WJamhoury — Fri, 20 May 2011 14:25:44 GMT

Jan-

Thank you. I will get into this and report back my findings.

Jimmy-

I apreciate your response. I opened up a case with Support One, but they said there is no way to do what I am asking, and the only way to change the serial number is by entering the bios during a reboot.

I have not lost hope yet though! I have a lot of machines to correct and this could cost a lot of time, effort, and documentation...

I will follow up soon!

Re: Changing Proliant Serial Numbers

Jimmy Vance — Fri, 20 May 2011 15:10:55 GMT

Sorry this is a hassle, tell support to escalate the case and contact me

Re: Changing Proliant Serial Numbers

WJamhoury — Fri, 20 May 2011 17:51:53 GMT

Thanks! I hope to be in touch shortly!

Re: Changing Proliant Serial Numbers

JR99 — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 22:47:40 GMT

Below are the links for the utility to update Bios serial #

Hope the links help out to sort the Bios serial # update issue .

Setsys Utility for HP D2D Backup Systems (for USB Key-Media)

http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/SoftwareDescription.jsp?lang=en&cc=us&prodTypeId=15351&prodSeriesId=5075933&swItem=co-78002-1&mode=4&idx=0

Setsys Utility for HP ProLiant 100 series G5 and G6 Servers (For USB Key-Media).

http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/SoftwareDescription.jsp?lang=en&cc=US&swItem=MTX-1d48ae3f19d945b481c20736d6&mode=5&prodTypeId=15351&prodSeriesId=5075933

Setsys Utility for HP ProLiant 100 series Servers

http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/SoftwareDescription.jsp?lang=en&cc=US&swItem=MTX-f6341f59fca449ea9a0b930245&mode=4&idx=1&prodTypeId=15351&prodSeriesId=5075933

Setsys Utility for HP ProLiant DL140/145 G2 Servers

http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/SoftwareDescription.jsp?lang=en&cc=US&swItem=MTX-UNITY-I24218&mode=4&idx=1&prodTypeId=15351&prodSeriesId=5075933

Re: Changing Proliant Serial Numbers

JR99 — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 22:57:25 GMT

http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/SoftwareDescription.jsp?lang=en&cc=US&swItem=MTX-UNITY-I24218&mode=4&idx=1&prodTypeId=15351&prodSeriesId=5075933

http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/SoftwareDescription.jsp?lang=en&cc=us&prodTypeId=15351&prodSeriesId=5075933&swItem=co-78002-1&mode=4&idx=0

http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/SoftwareDescription.jsp?lang=en&cc=US&swItem=MTX-1d48ae3f19d945b481c20736d6&mode=4&idx=1&prodTypeId=15351&prodSeriesId=5075933

Re: Changing Proliant Serial Numbers

eyestrain — Sat, 09 Nov 2013 13:21:20 GMT

Unfortunately this is also a problem for me but on Proliant 3xx and 5xx. Setsys is only for 1xx so it doesn't help me.

Most of the servers I have are business-critical so if there's an alternative, online method (other than RBSU) that would be great.

I reached out to support but nobody seems to have a clue, I even had to tell them about setsys :(

Re: Changing Proliant Serial Numbers

Jimmy Vance — Mon, 18 Nov 2013 21:15:59 GMT

eyestrain wrote:
Unfortunately this is also a problem for me but on Proliant 3xx and 5xx. Setsys is only for 1xx so it doesn't help me.
Most of the servers I have are business-critical so if there's an alternative, online method (other than RBSU) that would be great.
I reached out to support but nobody seems to have a clue, I even had to tell them about setsys :(

I sent you a private message with a possible solution

Re: Changing Proliant Serial Numbers

SM67 — Wed, 18 Dec 2013 16:55:03 GMT

I am also looking for a solution to change SN without having to use RBSU. Can you provide me with a solution? Thanks for any help you are able to provide!

Re: Changing Proliant Serial Numbers

Jimmy Vance — Fri, 20 Dec 2013 00:26:02 GMT

PM sent

Re: Changing Proliant Serial Numbers

RootPhish — Fri, 20 Dec 2013 06:38:48 GMT

Hi,

I would also like to change Serial Numbers on a few blades without rebooting. Can you provide a solution for BL460c G1/G6/G7/Gen8 ?

Thanks in advance!

Re: Changing Proliant Serial Numbers

Jimmy Vance — Fri, 03 Jan 2014 19:22:48 GMT

PM Sent, but I think you will need to reboot for the change to appear

Re: Changing Proliant Serial Numbers

Andreiww — Mon, 20 Jan 2014 14:55:20 GMT

I`m also looking for a solution to change the serial on a couple of 465 G7. I had service calls with HP and had motherboards repalced but the serial no was not set back trough the BIOS settings and is pretty difficult to schedule a break for it especially that they are production blades running ESXi.

Can you help please?

Thanks

Re: Changing Proliant Serial Numbers

Ken Krubsack — Tue, 21 Jan 2014 13:15:18 GMT

I've run into this occasionally as well.

Another very important thing is to set the system clock on a system board replacement. We had one where a domain controller at one of our sites needed a new system board to take care of a failing array controller but the tech didn't set the system clock on replacement. We had all sorts of issues with users not being able to access things through AD until we realized what was going on and were able to get in through the ILO and set the system clock properly.

NOTE FOR HP FOLKS

Seems to me the larger issue is that HP needs to emphasize to their field engineers that this needs done. I know I've spoken to the guys we see on a regular basis and they've made setting the serial number, the part number, and the clock part of their routine for replacing a system board.

Ken

Re: Changing Proliant Serial Numbers

eyestrain — Tue, 21 Jan 2014 13:50:02 GMT

Jimmy / HP folks,

Can the workaround be posted here? I think that would be more beneficial to everyone, so we can easily compare and talk about what works for some and doesn't work for others. And, how long does it usually take for HP to come up / release an official fix?

Re: Changing Proliant Serial Numbers

Torsten. — Tue, 21 Jan 2014 13:55:10 GMT

>> And, how long does it usually take for HP to come up / release an official fix?

fix for what?

Re: Changing Proliant Serial Numbers

LouisH — Tue, 21 Jan 2014 16:45:31 GMT

The "official fix" is to set system serial number, product number and time/day through the system bios for anything above the ProLiant 1XX series.

All other fixes are HP support related and probably proprietary.

Regards,

Louis

Re: Changing Proliant Serial Numbers

Jimmy Vance — Tue, 21 Jan 2014 21:27:20 GMT

@eyestrain wrote:
Jimmy / HP folks,
Can the workaround be posted here? I think that would be more beneficial to everyone, so we can easily compare and talk about what works for some and doesn't work for others. And, how long does it usually take for HP to come up / release an official fix?

I'm not sure what you're looking for in the way of a fix? It isn't really a workaround, just another way to set these values. These values can be set in RBSU. In the case of a system board replacement, the on-site tech SHOULD be setting the product ID and the serial number on the replacement to that of the original board. Even if you set the values using this undocumented method, the changes don't actually appear until the system is rebooted. I'm not permitted to post "how" here, and I hope the customers I've provided the information to respect that.