BIOS update HP Proliant DL380 G3

[chrisguk]

I have purchased 2 x 3.2 Ghz /533 Mhz CPUs for my server.  I was instructed by the vendor that I need to upgrade my BIOS version before they will work.

My questions are:

1.  Is this true?

2.  If it is where can I get the update because I have looked everywhere?

[Hazem Bahgat]

Yes you have to upgrade your whole server firmware not only the BIOS.

You can download the HP SPP (Service Pack for Proliant) from the following link:

http://h18004.www1.hp.com/products/servers/service_packs/en/eula.2012.10.0.html

Burn the DVD, Boot the server from the DVD-ROM. the HPSUM (Smart Update Manger) will start and proceed with the rest the procedure.

If you are interested, you can check this link for a video that will describe how to do so

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=42TTlKQSErc

[chrisguk]

Hi,

Thank you for your reply.  This solution would work great but I have a i686 CPU and it is not recognised by the software you directed me too.

Do you have any other suggestions please?

[slingshot2000]

The Proliant line is extremely flexible as to what HP expansion boards can be run, but is very fickle about what processors will run in the mainboards--apparantly being locked in to specific specs in order to prevent subtle timing and performance issues--which is to be expected in enterprise-class equipment.

If you shop for Proliants at the local electronics recycling center, which, due to their weight, is where they eventually tend to end up, it is useful to start your processor upgrade process by reading the server Quickspecs to identify what specific processor models and stepping numbers are supported--and sticking to those processors.

For instance, I have seen Xeon SL8UA VT-capable dual cores replace non-VT single cores in a ML570 G3 for educational purposes in order to play with virtualization, an upgrade which is specifically listed in its Quickspecs.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Intel_Xeon_microprocessors

For instance, I have seen OS8356WAL4BGH quad cores replace dual cores in a DL585 G2 for educational purposes in order to play with private clouds.  While the upgrade is not in the Quickspecs for the G2, the G2/G5/G7 all use the same BIOS image, and it is specifically listed in the quickspecs for the G5.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_AMD_Opteron_microprocessors

In short, first identify your Proliant server, study the Quickspecs to determine the supported and most likely-to-run processors based on the BIOS, buy your processors with a right to return if they do not run in the specific mainboard, then update the BIOS to the latest release before stuffing the new chips.  These enterprise class servers are not built for overclocking!

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Regarding the DL380 G3, note that there may also be also a bus speed issue with the earlier models:

http://h18000.www1.hp.com/products/quickspecs/11473_na/11473_na.HTML

>Intel Xeon X3.2-2MB/533MHz Processor Option Kit     352568-B21
>NOTE:The 3.2GHz processor option kits are not backwards compatible; they cannot be used to upgrade systems purchased with 2.4 or 2.8GHz 400MHz Front Side Bus processors. This processor option kit supports the ProLiant ML370 G3 and ProLiant DL380 G3 servers.