topic Re: Serial Number change in ProLiant Servers (ML,DL,SL)

Serial Number change

defuseme2k — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 16:04:36 GMT

We have a custom asset tool which stores serial numbers for our servers in a database. I am trying to keep this up-to-date by using WMI to query the server, and then updating our tool. In some cases the serial number does not match the Chasis causing our tool to be updated with teh wrong serial. I've started logging these changes, and it forces us to go to the server and compare the serial on the chasis to the one in the bios.

My question is, is there any way, from windows, to update the serial number stored in the bios without having to do it directly in the RBSU??

Re: Serial Number change

Mi6t0 — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 18:22:09 GMT

Dunnow what kind of server you have, but for example you can make a survey with HP Insight Diagnostics

Re: Serial Number change

David Claypool — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 18:40:34 GMT

Serial Number is part of the SMBIOS specification controlled by the DMTF. On ProLiant 300/500 and BL servers, in addition to entering it directly into RBSU, you can use the SmartStart Scripting Toolkit to program it while the system is online.

However, be aware that the architecture of x86 systems is such that the values in the BIOS are only read at boot, so even if you change it online, it will not become effective until the next reboot.

Re: Serial Number change

defuseme2k — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 18:50:19 GMT

Thank you for your reply. I will go and take a look at the smart start scripting toolkit.

I had found all the infromation on DMI and the DMTF/SMBIOS stuff, but had hit a brick wall aside from just querying the data. Changing it is a big difference ;).