DL380 w/ single NC550SFP Reporting 8 NICs in RBSU

[H4nd0]

I've got 3 x DL380. Two work fine.

In the RBSU (ROM-Based Setup Utility), I see 4 x NC382i (onboard 1GbE) and 2 x NC550SFP (offboard 10GbE).

However, in the third server I'm seeing 8 x NC550SFP being reported (see screen grab) despite only one board being installed.

The boxes are running ESXi and consequently, the be2net driver is refusing to load.

Any ideas how to restore sanity on the third box?

Thanks!

James

[Johan Guldmyr]

Tried the NC550SFP in another slot or at least remove, restart server, put it back in?

Reset NVRAM?
Firmware the same on this box as the other ones?

[H4nd0]

Hey thanks for the response. I haven't tried in another slot yet. The box is brand new.

How does one reset the NVRAM? Not done that before!

Firmware - I've looked for advisories but can't seem to find anything:

DL380 #1:

BIOS: P67 05/14/2010
iLO3: 1.25

DL380 #2:

BIOS: P67 10/19/2010
iLO3: 1.25

DL380 #3:

BIOS: P67 01/30/2011
iLO3: 1.25

Is there a way to get the NC550 firmware version without a reboot?

j.

[Johan Guldmyr · Accepted solution]

To reset the NVRAM you can use the System Maintenance Switch that is located on the system board. See the service and maintenance guide for your generation of the DL380 for specifics. It's usually DIP number 6.

To find the NIC's firmware without a reboot - do you have HP's NCU (or also called HP Networking Software) installed? In there you should be able to see it. Also the SMH - system management homepage, if you have it installed.

Is it on the #3 DL380 you have the problem? Maybe a downgrade of the BIOS would be an idea - the 2011.01.30 is the latest for the P67 BIOS (DL380 G7).

Service and Maintenance guide can be found in the manuals section on your server on hp.com:

http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/DocumentIndex.jsp?contentType=SupportManual〈=en&cc=us&docIndexId=64180&taskId=135&prodTypeId=15351&prodSeriesId=4091412

[H4nd0]

Hi there,

I downgraded the BIOS and that fixed the BIOS issue - so only seeing 2 x NC550SPF. However, on boot the be2net driver still hung.

I reset the BIOS back to factory default and reinstalled ESXi and be2net driver loaded correctly.

I've filed a bug report with engineering.

Thanks for the assistance!

[H4nd0]

Bug/incompatibility between DL380 March P67 BIOS and NC550SFP board. Downgrade BIOS and reset BIOS to factory defaults to resolve. OS reinstallation may be required.

[Johan Guldmyr]

Great!

If you get an update from engineering I'm sure people would appreciate a lot if you put in an update here :)