Firmware update using VCA console

[laksh_1612]

In the attachment, which are the components need to select and install in order to update firmware on the server.

[Andrew_Haak]

And what is the question ? Why keep using the VCA to update your server ?

[laksh_1612]

Whole purpose of using VCA is to manage installations of drivers, agents and firmware updates. VCA gives current version of those softwares installed on server and latest versions available using VCRM repository. If we need to perform Firmware update on server, which softwares to be selected from the list (in the attachment) for installation.

[Andrew_Haak]

VCA is depricated by HP for updating your servers. But if you want to keep using it you need to upload SPP's and/or PSP's. These packages contain a XML file. Once the XLM is uploaded the VCRM shows it as a basline. The baseline is whatever software is mentioned at the bottom of the XML file. These can be edited by hand if needed. If you do be sure to change the version number. If you don't the VCRm will not see the change and the change will not be visible in the VCRM. If there are baselines you need to set the baseline in the VCA. This can be done under settings in the VCA, if needed you can replicate the VCA settings from a source server to multiple other servers.

[laksh_1612]

As of now we want to proceed with VCA for updating firmware components on servers. I've compared the latest versions showing in VCA with current versions at HP site (Ex: http://h20566.www2.hpe.com/hpsc/swd/public/readIndex?sp4ts.oid=3929675&swLangOid=8&swEnvOid=4064) and they are matching. Hope we can select all those Firmware components (Ex: Online ROM Flash component for Windows) in one shot and click on install button. server might require reboot. We will be trying this on one server first, based on result, will proceed with other servers. Just want check if any one has any experience in updating firmware through this way.

[Andrew_Haak]

If you have selected a baseline you can click the little ball to install the whole baseline at once. It's the gray one in front of the name of the baseline.

This will try to update the server by running every installer in the baseline instead of just a single or a selection. But just to be sure did you have a look at HPSUM for updating your server(s).

With this tool you can update one server or a selection depending on your needs,

[laksh_1612]

As of now scope is to install/update firmware components which are showing major status in VCA, not every installer (drivers,agents...etc) in the baseline. Hope you have seen the screenshot attachment.

[Andrew_Haak]

You can create a baseline that only contains the critical patches. I would try to start with a baseline that contains agents and other tools.

If you exclude Nic drivers, teaming software and HBA drivers you should be able to update servers without production impact.

The alternative is to select them by hand but a mistake is easily made. I don't see you using baselines, don't you have these?

[laksh_1612]

Here is the baseline info from VCRM as attachment.

[Andrew_Haak]

So if you create your own baseline containing updates that don't interrupt the uptime you can use that baseline to updste your servers. Some updates that are critical will cause outage so these should be done later. My assumption is that you don't want to install the whole SPPs because of outages?