Firmware Updates usign HPSIM

[Annette Jones_2]

Does anyone use HPSIM to rollout firmware updates?

I've used it to fix a problem on a smart array, but because firmware updates are server specific it could make the repository really messy if you have a wide range of servers like us.

Also does anyone know if the firmware CD can be used by HPSIM, I know that the smart array update at to be the online version to use HPSIM.

Thanks

A

[Pat Wilson_1]

Have you installed the Version Control Repository Manager (VCRM) component in HPSIM? That will manage most of the updates for you for HP/Compaq supported devices - including the Smart Array controllers.

[Annette Jones_2]

Yes, and this is used to push out ssd updates, but the firmware maintenance cd's are different.

I just wnated to know if anyone else uses HPSIM to push out firmware or do people generally stick to the CD instal.

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[Ananthak23]

You can use VCRM's upload control(upload support pack link) to upload the components in the Firmware Maintenance CD to the Repository and then you can use it for deployment through SIM provided you have VCA's configured on these servers.

-Anantha

[Annette Jones_2]

Our site doesn't allow for a direct link to upload to our VCRM. We have to download to a workstation and then copy to the server.

But the question I'm really getting at is whether or not using the VCRM is effective for a large number of different midels of servers.

Or is it better to keep to the usual CD install when necessary.

[David Claypool]

Annette:

The best practice is to create a custom support pack and add the current firmware packages that apply to the systems you have in your environment. VCA is intelligent enough to only flag the firmware that applies to the system. That way you can use the same process to manage your firmware as the drivers/utilities.

[Annette Jones_2]

Dave,

Thanks that's all I wanted to know, but I guess you can't use the CD, but I guess you have to download each server version separatley or cna you use the CD maintenance version?

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[David Claypool]

Once you have created a custom PSP and the firmware is part of it, VCRM can automatically download them in the future for you...

[Annette Jones_2]

Dave,

This is what I want to do, but the firmware I use to create the baseline do I download for each model of server I'm using, cause I have over 140 servers. Or can I use the CD Maintenance version?

A