SPP update combined with RHEL update

[Biite]

Hi,

I'm trying to find the 'best' way to update 15 HPE Apollo 4200 (XL420 Gen 9) servers, which have been neglected for a while.

They are currently running:

• RHEL 7.4 (unpatched)
• Firmware level on the 'oldest' servers is based on SPP 2018.09, but some are patched with later SPP's
• Software installed on some servers is limited to: hp-ams, ssacli, kmod-hp-i40e, kmod-hp-ixgbe and kmod-hpsa. Some servers have all normal HPE RHEL stuff installed.

In an ideal world I would like to update these systems to:

• SPP 2019.12
• RHEL 7.6 or higher

What is the best way to proceed? My guess is:

1. First update RHEL (without reboot)
2. Then run SPP over that installation
3. Perform reboot

Sure hope any can help, or point me in the right direction.

[fleuratgovori]

Hi, 

I hope my answer comes to any help.

My opinion:

1. Check If you have warranty first from HPE (if anything goes wrong with the Apollo during SPP Update)

2. Check the timeline between SPP 2018.09 -> SPP 2019.12 what has changed for your OS/RHEL 7.4

Before deploying updates to business-critical servers or servers in a complex or distributed environment:

1. Minimize downtime by developing an update plan.

2. Be sure that a recent backup of the system is available.

   For additional information, see the best practices guide available at the below link.

   https://techlibrary.hpe.com/us/en/enterprise/servers/solutions/info-library/index.aspx?cat=smartupdate&subcat=spp#.XweN2ij7SUk

Also read Service Pack for ProLiant 2019.12.0 Release Notes in the link below

https://techlibrary.hpe.com/us/en/enterprise/servers/solutions/info-library/index.aspx?cat=smartupdate&subcat=spp#.XweN2ij7SUk

And Linux best practices Using Service Pack for ProLiant (SPP) and Software Delivery Repository (SDR) 

https://www.suse.com/media/white-paper/linux_best_practices_using_service_pack_for_proliant_and_software_delivery_repository.pdf

3. If you proceed with the SPP update, use first the interactive mode (make sure you have backup) to check what is changing in the update and proceed with the reboot (required if you have BIOS or other related component updates).

4. Now after successfully backup you can proceed with the RHEL 7.6 or higher update

I would highly recommend HPE OneView (I use it) if you have multiple HPE Products since it is very easy to use and Automate tasks and it has many functions that you can use it to ease your job easily.

https://developer.hpe.com/blog/automation-of-support-pack-for-proliant-in-hpe-oneview

I hope I put you in the right direction!

Best regards,

Fleurat

[Biite]

Hi,

1. Support on the Apollo's is covered via an HPE contract
2. Timeline shows multiple updates (BIOS, NVMe PCI card, netwrok card firmware and driver), so there will be some changes (obviously). Got some experience with SPP, so that's no problem. Will run it from the Linux CLI.
   Checked the release notes for SPP 2019..12 which states support for RHEL 7.6 and 7.7.

As far I know you state that 1) first upgrade firmware and software using SPP, 2) reboot and 3) Upgrade RHEL (and reboot)

Won't the SPP 2019.12 upgrade 'break' anything (because it only supports RHEL 7.6 and 7.7)?

[fleuratgovori]

Hi Martien,

As you checked with my steps now you found that:

• Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7.4 Server is not supported in SPP 2019.12, as shown in the link below SPP OS Guide

https://downloads.hpe.com/pub/softlib2/software1/publishable-catalog/p177230449/v138524/SPPOSGuide.pdf

From my experience with Windows Servers, Vmware Hypervisors it did not cause any problems since you already have the softwares installed. But in RHEL I don't know what can cause in the OS.

But I would go with the SPP OS Guide.

So I recommend to proceed as you stated in the first post:

1. First update RHEL 7.4 -> 7.6 (make sure you have a backup)
2. Reboot
3. Then run SPP 2019.12
4. Perform reboot

Have a nice day!

Best regards,

Fleurati