Upgrading component firmware via ILO

[Kerry Quillen]

How do you upgrade individual component firmware via the ILO "update firmware" option?  I've upgraded ILO fw many times using the bin file but this time I need to upgrade p408i fw from version 4.11 to 5.61 which requires an incremmental upgrade to 5.32 first.  I've tried several ways with no luck.  The closest I can get is to upload the rpm and its signature file to the ILO repository where it sits pending in the queue with message that it will start install "Immediately after the associated updater checks".  The associated updater appears to be either SUM or SUT.  SUT is running on my server.  So how do I get SUT to kick off the install.  

[support_s]

System recommended content:

1. HPE iLO 5 Troubleshooting Guide | iLO detected an invalid firmware component

2. HPE iLO 6 Troubleshooting Guide | iLO detected an invalid firmware component

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[thutchings]

Hello,

As you mentioned, the details for the installer will show you the methods available for the install. If it says iLO, then nothing else should be required. For files that require a runtime (SUM and/or SUT) then the offline SPP or an OS will be needed. I did not see any mention of your OS listed. if it is some supported version of Linux then SUT would need to be set for the correct deployment mode within the host OS. Also, the component copied over would need to be compatible with the OS in use, so if, for instance, you have ESXi installed on the server and you try to use an RPM file. This file would not work if the installer requires SUM or SUT since it is not appropriate for the OS in use.

The SUT user guide gives you details how to kick off the update from within the host OS.

https://www.hpe.com/psnow/doc/a00112960en_us

You can also download the component directly onto the host OS and flash to the desired version, reset the server, then perform the update to the final version using the other OS component..

Regards

[SH-Lan]

I never try to upgrade smart array p408i from iol webbase.

3 ways I commonly use::
1. SPP
2. From OS
3. From System utility

[Kerry Quillen]

@thutchings 

These servers are running esxi with SUT installed with install mode set to Automatic stage and deploy.  SPP updates are done via Oneview. The current spp that I am deploying (2023.03.00) for my Gen10 esxi servers fails when trying to upgrade the p408i array controller from 4.11 to 5.62 due to the 5.32 incremental requirement.  All other components upgrade successfully.  Somehow, it does upgrade the array controller to 5.32 even though that component is not included in the spp.  Still sees this as a failure and therefiore starts the whole app install over again. This time 5.61 succeeds.  Problem is its taking almost 2 hrs to complete.  For windows servers, I simply upgrade to 5.32 using cp053854.exe, reboot the server then deploy the spp.  Takes half the time.  For esxi servers, I thought I could do the same thing by upgrading the array controller to 5.32 via the ILO then pushing the spp via Oneview.  

[thutchings]

Hello,

The easiest way to do what you want on your ESXi hosts may be the same process that is used on your Windows hosts. You can copy the zip file with the FW flash for 5.32 over to ESXi, then launch the update there. You can copy it across a number of ways (fileshare with CIFS or NFS, datastore browser, etc.). Perform the update using the instructions on the download page for this component:

https://support.hpe.com/connect/s/softwaredetails?language=en_US&softwareId=MTX_3b6cfcc0327948cf934d36b359&tab=Installation+Instructions

The problem with using the RPM is that a "runtime agent" is required. This would normally mean a host OS with some version of Linux is required. The amount of items that can be directly upgraded using the iLO is limited, but HPE is working to make everything updateable using the iLO. However, this process takes time. For instance, starting with firmware 5.61 the component for the array comes in an FWPKG file, which can be directly upgradeable by the iLO, but it needs to be at version 5.61 first.

Regards