rx2800 i2 firmware

[Eric Dittman]

I've got someone trying to update the firmware on a couple of rx2800 i2 systems.  He's having problems because he's remote.  I was wondering why that would be a problem and apparently the SFW and iLO firmware can only be updated using a remote Windows or Linux system.  He was told by HP support that the Windows or Linux system must be on the same subnet as the iLO.

I know the rx2600 and rx2620 firmware can be updated from a CD or USB memory device.  I've done some checking and I can't find any equivalent FW update files for the rx2800 i2.

Does anyone know if there's a way around this?

It really sounds like a bad idea to me to require a Windows or Linux system to update the firmware.

[S_Logan]

Hi Eric,

Please refer the following document, it will help you to identify the firmware update method for rx2800i2:

HP Integrity Servers and HP 9000 Servers Firmware Update Options: http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bc/docs/support/SupportManual/c02845885/c02845885.pdf

HTH

Surendar

Click here to visit “HP Guided Troubleshooting for Business Critical System”.

[Torsten.]

It is true, there are only a linux or windows based firmware update; the bundle includes the HP SUM which is used to update the firmware - no workaround for this.

Be careful - there are different firmware files for the "normal" and the OFS version of this server!

[Eric Dittman]

Wow, that's a serious step backwards!  I can't believe that the EFI update method is no longer offered.

The new method will certainly make firmware updates on future systems more difficult.

Is there any chance this will be fixed in the future?

[S_Logan]

Hi Eric,

Similiar Thread:

http://h30499.www3.hp.com/t5/Integrity-Servers/New-Way-of-updating-firmware-on-RX2800i/td-p/4797539

[Torsten.]

Using the HP SUM is the only supported way to update the firmware (even if there are other -unsupported- ways to do this).

[Eric Dittman]

I didn't find the previous thread, but that's not surprising with this forum software.

[Eric Dittman]

HPSUM may be the supported solution, but it's still a step backwards.

[Torsten.]

IMHO not. Some weeks ago I updated the firmware on 8 BL860c i2 - in less than 20 minutes for all 8 servers - online! And at the same time in the same session the virtual connect modules too.

[Eric Dittman]

We could have done it just as fast using the old method.  Our KVMs allow virtual media.

The old method is also OS-agnostic which is always a good idea.

[Torsten.]

I also like the "old" methods as an alternative, but I think HP wants to make the HP SUM the one for all tool.

[Eric Dittman]

I have no problems with HPSUM as the recommended method as long as they continue to offer the old methods as a supported alternative.

The key is "supported alternative".

[Torsten.]

Tell it to HP!
;-)

[Eric Dittman]

I did.  I hope others that would like to see the older methods supported do as well.

[Torsten.]

We will see.
Meanwhile we wait for HP SUM version 5:

http://h18004.www1.hp.com/products/servers/management/spp/hpsum/index.html

[mits]

HPSUM has the benefits below. From my view point, the benefits colored with the blue were not available for the legacy EFI or HP-UX update tools. The legacy tools require the system rebooting always. With the HPSUM, If you want to update 2 or more multiple servers, you can do it by launching the HPSUM once.

Features and Benefits

• Easy-to-install Firmware updates

• Allows delaying the reboot to a more convenient time

• Reduce time managing your IT environment

• Minimize reboots and system downtime for maintenance

• Control over Firmware update schedule

• Control over Firmware update processes

• Enable automation of Firmware update process

• Minimal user interaction

• Ability to remotely manage multiple system Firmware update processes

• Ability to update multiple firmware components in different remote systems at the same time

(example – you can update OA and System Firmware in two different systems at the same

time)

• Supports both HP ProLiant and HP Integrity servers

As to the Windows/Linux OS for HPSUM, you can use your local PC connected to your network and update the remote system firmware. I can update all servers installed in the remote office from home without any problem.

[fhsjvl]

While HPSUM may be the only supported way to upgrade the firmware of an rx2800 i2 server, it should be noted that using HPSUM 5.0.1 to upgrade the firmware of an rx2800 i2 server from bundle 26.21 to bundle 26.30 fails with the message "no applicable components".

However the (unsupported) method of upgrading the firmware on p. 14 of the aforementioned document "HP Integrity Servers and HP 9000 Servers Firmware Update Options" (http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bc/docs/support/SupportManual/c02845885/c02845885.pdf) does work.

Contrary to what they say in the description file of bundle 26.30 you do need different .bin files for the Rack Mount server version and the Office Friendly Server version. For the RM version you need to extract the .bin files from CP016708.EXE. For the OFS version you need to extract the .bin files from CP016709.EXE. Both zip/exe files are in bundle 26.30. 

[Mehedi91]

Although Integrity is a bit old, SUM is the most reliable way to update the firmware.

[shiva_jr]

Hi Eric,
    The rx2800 i2 server can be upgraded using iLO3. Please refer this video. 
    How to upgrade firmware through ilo3 for rx2800 i2 or i4 system

Regards,
SHIVA_JR

[shiva_jr]

Hi Eric,
    The rx2800 i2 server can be upgraded using iLO3. Please refer this video. 
    How to upgrade firmware through ilo3 for rx2800 i2 or i4 system : https://support.hpe.com/hpesc/public/videoDisplay?videoId=vtc00000718en_us

Regards,
SHIVA_JR