Offline firmware upgrade on ML350 G6

[bfg9000]

Hi there,

I tried to figure out how I can upgrade all outdated firmware on a new ML2350 G6 before I install the OS on this machine.

I called HP and was told that the only way is to use the firmware upgrade dvd available online. I already had tried this dvd but due to the fact that it is some months old, firmware on the dvd is already outdated.

Is there any (easy) way to update the firmware of all components offline?

Thank you for your help.

bfg

[Murali_V]

Hi Bfg,

The last firmware version was released on 18 Dec 2010 visit the following URL for â Systems ROMPaq Firmware Upgrade for HP ProLiant ML350 G6 (D22) Servers (For USB Key-Media)â :
http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/SoftwareDescription.jsp?lang=en&cc=us&prodTypeId=15351&prodSeriesId=3884315&prodNameId=3884316&swEnvOID=1005&swLang=8&mode=2&taskId=135&swItem=MTX-962f214957d143dfbf5388a5a0

Regards,
Murali Mohan

[Murali_V]

Refer the installation instructions on the same page:
http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/SoftwareDescription.jsp?lang=en&cc=us&prodTypeId=15351&prodSeriesId=3884315&swItem=MTX-962f214957d143dfbf5388a5a0&prodNameId=3884316&swEnvOID=1005&swLang=8&taskId=135&mode=4&idx=1

[bfg9000]

Hi Murali,

thanks for your quick response and the links you provided.

As far as I can see, the linked ROMpaq is for updating the system bios only (anyway, this already helps a lot!).

Do you know a way how to offline apply firmware updates to all components (raid controllers, hdds, ...)?

Thank you again,
bfg

[Michael A. McKenney]

You can do the firmware upgrades from DVD. I would do them in order. Don't skip more than two revisions. HP told me this. You download and burn the ISOs. Set the server to boot from DVD first. It will do all your hardware.

[Murali_V]

As you aware the Smart Update Firmware DVD is one option, if any individual firmware released after the DVD release, you can try the offline version from the list of driver and firmware updates from below URL:

http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/SoftwareIndex.jsp?lang=en&cc=us&prodNameId=3884316&prodTypeId=15351&prodSeriesId=3884315&swLang=8&taskId=135&swEnvOID=1005#top

Or, Just update the BISO and controller firmware offline and once the operating system loaded you can proceed with the online firmware update with other components:

Firmware CD Supplemental Update / Online ROM Flash Component for Linux - Smart Array P212, P410, P410i, P411, P712m, and P812:
http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/SoftwareDescription.jsp?lang=en&cc=us&prodTypeId=15351&prodSeriesId=3884315&swItem=MTX-2bc3d0d5a4db40549ee6c97485&prodNameId=3884316&swEnvOID=1005&swLang=8&taskId=135&mode=4&idx=1


For other Operating systems - Select operating system:
http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/DriverDownload.jsp?prodNameId=3884316〈=en&cc=us&prodTypeId=15351&prodSeriesId=3884315&taskId=135

[Murali_V]

Yes Michael, that is the best practice to avoid any errors while installing.

[gregersenj · Accepted solution]

Use the FW DVD and add in newer files.

Download the DVD.
Download the usb tool:
http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/SoftwareDescription.jsp?lang=en&cc=dk&prodTypeId=15351&prodSeriesId=3884315&prodNameId=3884316&swEnvOID=1005&swLang=8&mode=2&taskId=135&swItem=MTX-3a87c15fff7048979ec74975e6

Install the USB tool.
Unzip the DVD.
Use a USB Memory stick min 2 GB.
Run the usb tool.
Select new.
browse to the FWDVD ISO.
select the stick.
follow on screen instrucktions.

Now you got a bootable USB with the FW DVD.

Now you will need to add newer FW files.
Select SUSE Linux as Os from www.hp.com/support > Your country > Your machine.

Download the files.
Copy them in to the \hp\swpackages folder on the FWDVD.

Boot the server on the FW DVd (USB stick).
let it run in automatic mode = Hands off.
Waite till it reboot.
then remove stick.

Your server is now upgraded.

You can also add a Smart Start to the Mem stick, using the same tool. And you can have both tools at the same time.

BR
/jag

[bfg9000]

Hi jag,

thank you too for your reply.

I had already gone the way you described but failed at getting additional updates to be recognized by the firmware update dvd.

More specific: When starting from dvd the firmware update tool obviously only uses those update files that it knows by an xml file.
Even when i disabled the checkboxes (I tried both separately) at the end of the installation screen, it failed.
Updates were on the stick but were not recognized/installed.

I am quite sure i already had used the driver packages from the linux driver page but I will retry and report back to you if it worked.

Thanks again for your detailed help!

bfg

[gregersenj]

You must use the Linux files (CP0xxxxx.scexe).
The FW DVD is Linux.
Then it will install the latest.

If you run it in automatic mode, it will install the latest.
If you run in interactive mode, at tick allow non bundled check box. (Tick the box to the left and the box in the middle)
It will suggest the latest.

I have done both my self.

BR
/jag

[gregersenj]

Put the files in:
\HPFWUP920\hp\swpackages

File must be linux
either called FW suplemental (Under windows)
or from SUSE linux.

Link to latest BIOS for ML350 G6:
http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/SoftwareDescription.jsp?lang=en&cc=dk&prodTypeId=15351&prodSeriesId=3884315&prodNameId=3884316&swEnvOID=2065&swLang=8&mode=2&taskId=135&swItem=MTX-a5e1c7bc4d8f493dbe8b0a64da

BR
/jag

[bfg9000]

gregersenj's tip helped me to at least flash the bios and controller firmware offline via USB key (--> HP firmware upgrade dvd 'on a stick').
I had already tried this before but obviously I had not used the linux drivers when copying drivers separately to the usb key...

Again, thank you all very much for your efforts!

bfg

[gregersenj]

You're welcome :)

BR
/jag