Using iLO to access Option ROM Configuration for Arrays Utility

[Walt Bowse]

Hello,

Here at HP Virtual Labs, we deliver dozens of training sessions every week for deploying OS on Proliants using RDP. As the popularity of these courses increases we are looking to automate our course rebuild process. A key to success in this effort is to find a way to access (F8) the "Option ROM Configuration for Arrays Utility" on power-up. We need to wipe out the hard drive on a system through the iLO using a script or some other utility.
The process would be - through the iLO initiate a system reset, as the comes up, take control and enter (F8)the array utility, wipe the hard drive, recreate it, exit the utility and continue.

Can anyone provide information on how to do this?

Thanks - Walt

[David Claypool]

Your RDP job already has the ability to do that using ACU from the SmartStart Scripting Toolkit. You would not be able to use iLO to send keystrokes automagically to ORCA anyway...

[Walt Bowse]

Thanks, David, however without getting into the gory details, we are using a different RDP server for the system rebuilds from what is used in the class which causes Aclient issues plus the students often leave the systems in a "unique" state. It would be ideal if we could, as you put it, "automagically" access ORCA via the iLO with some sort of scripting tool - like Expect.

[chongkan]

Is iLO already set up?

1-Set up iLO
2-Access the remote machine's iLO with your web browser.
3-Open Remote console.
4-Restart the machine.
5-iLO will let you see the entire boot process so just wait until server reboots and press F8 to access ORCA when asked. The access key depends on the server model.

6-Do what you have to do and exit, continue to boot.

7-You can use the virtual media option to boot from your local CD drive and install the OS or use SSCD for example.

More info is availbale on the iLo web page, go to HP.com and look for lights out.

regards

[David Claypool]

Walt: if you create a job that uses ACU to set up the configration and leave it in a state without an operating system, there will be no conflict with aclient.