topic Re: HP iLo on ML 350 G8 server in ProLiant Servers (ML,DL,SL)

HP iLo on ML 350 G8 server

JonathanAnon — Tue, 05 Aug 2014 16:51:57 GMT

Hi there

I have a few questions on iLo if anybody could help me.

1. Is there any of the iLo functionality that I can avail of for free or is the iLo port completely useless to me without buying some sort of license?

2. If the answer to question 1 is NO, then what are my realistic options. Most of our clients are businesses of less than 30 people, so paying thousands every year for an iLo license is simply not an option. Would the essentials license be the only real option that would be feasible for such a situation?

thanks,

Re: HP iLo on ML 350 G8 server

Jimmy Vance — Tue, 05 Aug 2014 18:52:55 GMT

There are many iLO features that are free. You can view this data sheet to see a comparison of the features of the various license types and iLO standard

http://h20195.www2.hp.com/V2/GetDocument.aspx?docname=4AA4-5167ENW&cc=us&lc=en

What do you want to do with iLO, that pretty much dictates if you need a license or not.

Re: HP iLo on ML 350 G8 server

waaronb — Wed, 06 Aug 2014 18:13:58 GMT

The advanced license is worth it, in my opinion. It's a one-time cost, not some annual subscription or anything... definitely not "thousands every year" if that helps.

Especially for small businesses that don't want the hassle of HP SIM to monitor the hardware, ILO 4 with advanced licensing will do email alerting... so just set that up and have ILO email someone when there's a hardware issue.

The remote graphics feature of the advanced license is also a must have for me... there have been those times when that was the only way in to a machine, like when I was updating NIC drivers in Windows and then, poof, something happened and you just can't fix it any other way. It's a life saver in cases like that.

Especially for someone like you who may be selling these to clients and then offering remote support. Is it worth it to you to have that ability compared to an on-site visit to fix situations like that?

Re: HP iLo on ML 350 G8 server

JonathanAnon — Sat, 09 Aug 2014 19:01:40 GMT

Thanks for the responses guys, very helpful...

Here is my plan:

I have been using Clonezilla on a USB drive to back up my Gen8 ML350 servers as a means of disaster recovery. Works like a charm. So I had this great idea that I set up iLo with the USB drive plugged in to the server. Then at the weekend, I connect in, using out logmein account, and shut down the server. Then I log in to iLo and boot to the USB drive, carry out the backup from the pre-Windows environment (which logmein obviously cannot do) and then when the backup is finished reboot the server back in to Windows...

So I got iLo setup, set up the port forwarding and tried a test from home .. Unfortunately, as soon as the USB drive starts to load Clonezilla Live I get the message saying that "You are not allowed to view anything past the POST screen" and the remote console boots me out.. So it seems like I will need a license to carry out the clonezilla backup from the pre-windows environment. I mistakenly thought that as long as I didn't boot in to Windows that the remote console would not boot me out but this was obviously wrong.

I may check out the costs of the iLo license. Anybody give me a ballpark of what it costs for a "perpetual" license for an ML350 server?

thanks,

Re: HP iLo on ML 350 G8 server

Jimmy Vance — Mon, 11 Aug 2014 00:24:29 GMT

If you have an ML350e Gen8 you can get the essentials license which does support remote console and lists for $129

HP Integrated Lights-Out Essentials including 1yr 24x7 Tech Support and Updates E-LTU

http://h30094.www3.hp.com/product/sku/10474663/mfg_partno/BD775AAE

If your system is an ML350p Gen8 then you need and advance iLO license which lists for $399

HP iLO Advanced including 1yr 24x7 Technical Support and Updates Single Server License

http://h30094.www3.hp.com/product/sku/3957324/mfg_partno/512485-B21

Re: HP iLo on ML 350 G8 server

JonathanAnon — Mon, 11 Aug 2014 09:17:58 GMT

Thanks Jimmy, I've just mailed our software supplier this morning and I await her response.

I think I originally read the "3 Year" part as being a license for three years, but I understand now that that refers to the support for the product.

I've just downloaded the trial key right now for Essentials. I'll install it today and get a right look at it.

Re: HP iLo on ML 350 G8 server

BK_HPE — Tue, 12 Aug 2014 16:49:11 GMT

Hi @JonathanAnon

Jimmy gave some great information and links to the iLo licensing for your ML 350 G8 server. I believe you could benefit from talking to a licensing expert for options that would be the best value for your clients.

I sent you a private message with some information I need in order to connect you to the correct specialist. Please let me know if you would like me to set this up for you.

Re: HP iLo on ML 350 G8 server

JonathanAnon — Thu, 14 Aug 2014 16:21:12 GMT

Hi there,

Thanks for the PM.

I've been working away on this in the mean time. Turns out that the Essentials license (the cheaper license) is only available for the ML350e Proliant Servers. The servers that we have installed are the ML350p servers, which require an Advanced license, and may just push it out of our price range.

I've downloaded the Advanced Trial license and installed it on one of our servers, just to get a good look at it, and it is VERY impressive what you can do with it. I've also got a quote from our local software provider. So we're now just trying to work out if it's worth the price. Like I said it is certainly impressive, but we have to see if it's worth the 250 euro that we're being quoted...

thanks to everyone.

Jonathan

Re: HP iLo on ML 350 G8 server

BK_HPE — Thu, 21 Aug 2014 19:27:32 GMT

Hi @JonathanAnon

I am very glad to hear you are impressed with the advanced trial and are working with a local provider. Keep us posted on your experience with it. Regarding your concerns about the license cost, bear in mind that, as waaronb mentioned, it is a one-time cost and a valuable investment. If you need any advice on how to get the most out of your trial, in addition to posting on the community, you can work with one of our Solutions Architects. Unfortunately, I am not directly connected with any of our SAs in Europe, but you can visit our Contact HP Worldwide page to find a local contact to assist you in finding the right person. Hope this helps!

Re: HP iLo on ML 350 G8 server

waaronb — Fri, 22 Aug 2014 05:13:27 GMT

When we order servers, we just include the cost of an advanced ILO license as part of the overall server cost. As you've noticed, it is pretty useful.

It doesn't help you with any budget stuff after you've already ordered the server, but now you know... always include the cost of the ILO license when ordering the server itself.