Upgrading firmware on Blade System - Process

[terry jennings]

Hi,

I need to upgrade the enclosure and ILO firmware on all my blade enclosures. I was told that there were possibly many other dependencies to take into account. I'm not concerned about the O/S unless there is a definite driver/firmware that needs to be updated at the same time. Can someone please let me know what the process and order of updates I need to follow to accomplish what I need to do?

thanks

Terry

[Robert_Boyd]

Update the enclosure/OA firmware.

Then update devices using the SSH login to the OA

Next update your blade iLOs

Update blade firmware via iLO image mounts or USB key attached by dongle. The 2nd is very fast compared to iLO2. For iLO3 I think it's a wash.

Using either SmartStart iso attached to the iLO or PSP kit expanded on the blade's storage, apply the PSP updates to get drivers updated to match the latest firmware. One caveat here is that this is trickier with Linux. The PSP kit may be behind the OS, so your mileage may vary

[Ali]

Hi Terry,

Smart Update Firmware DVD will take care of the update sequence
Smart Update Firmware DVD
http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/SoftwareDescription.jsp?lang=en&cc=us&swLang=8&mode=2&taskId=135&swItem=MTX-98ce7a50a19a4d4994aaad8d0e.

Please note : Make sure you have valid backup.
Update the latest PSP on blade servers also.

thanks,
Aftab

[Bart_Heungens]

I had bad experiences when upgrading first the OA and then the ILO and blades itself.
Something like "lost communication with ILO"

I always update first the blades itself with their OS (ROM, PSP, ...), then the ILO and only then the OA and the eventual VC or switch modules...

No issues untill now on my 28 enclosures with +300 blades and +150 VC modules

[Murali_V]

Yes, the best way to update is from the Smart Update Firmware DVD as this will take of the dependencies and sequence.

refer the "HP BladeSystem Firmware Deployment Tool User Guide" for deployment options:

http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bc/docs/support/SupportManual/c01904533/c01904533.pdf

Refer from page number 6 for "Using the Firmware Deployment Tool"
>"Updating an individual server locally"
>"Updating an individual server remotely"
>"Updating multiple servers simultaneously" And
>"Updating multiple enclosures simultaneously"

Also, refer the "HP BladeSystem Firmware Maintenance - Compatibility Matrix"

http://h18004.www1.hp.com/products/blades/components/c-class.html#tab3_content

Also, refer the HP BladeSystem ProLiant Firmware Management Best Practices - Implementer guide:
http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bc/docs/support/SupportManual/c02049593/c02049593.pdf

And, HP BladeSystem ProLiant Firmware Management - Technical white paper:

http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bc/docs/support/SupportManual/c02225412/c02225412.pdf

[JD-WFH]

I have 20+ c7000 enclosures and have done the firmware on all of them as required. I'm preparing to do another round of firmware updates in order to support the G7 models.

Each time I have done firmware, I've been advised by my HP mission critical support reps to do firmware from the inside out. First the iLO procs, then PMC's (if necessary), the system ROM. After those are alike on all blades, then proceed with the Onboard Administrators and Virtual Connect modules.

For VC, I've always used the Virtual Connect Support Utility command line.

Using the procedure above has yielded the best results.

[Jase4772]

Hi,

I'm wanting to check the minimum firmware requirements prior to introducing a BL460c G7 to our c7000. Where can I find the firmware listing that would show this?

There used to be a table that listed the Blades and what firmware level was required but I can't seem to find this now.

I've checked the revision history of the OA as this is the main one and this does show 3.11 as when a BL460c G7 was added but there must be an easier way?

Many thanks.
Jase

[Ali]

Hi Terry,

You are adding G7 servers so make sure you have latest firmware on enclsoure

HP BladeSystem Firmware Maintenance - Compatibility Matrix explains the minimum firmware requirement.
http://h18004.www1.hp.com/products/blades/components/c-class.html#tab3_content

you may also refer the HP BladeSystem ProLiant Firmware Management Best Practices - Implementer guide:
http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bc/docs/support/SupportManual/c02049593/c02049593.pdf

another doc " HP BladeSystem ProLiant Firmware Management - Technical paper:

http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bc/docs/support/SupportManual/c02225412/c02225412.pdf

thanks,
Aftab