Best way to update HP Proliant servers

[lonarkesa]

Hi All,

I'm looking for the best way to run firmware and driver updates for an HP Proliant ML110 GEN 10 server running Windows 2016 OS.

I haven't worked on a lot of HP servers, mostly Dell PowerEdge servers - I download the latest SUU, the SUU launcher .exe, choose the updates, watch it install then manually reboot. Not to jink myself or others but I almost always run the SUU remotely...never been burned by a bad Dell update or something that caused the server not to boot to the OS. I have had cases where the DRAC flakes out and needs an on-site password reset. But I've never had a Dell server not come up after remotely updating firmware and drivers (fingers crossed now).

So is there a similar "easy" process like this for HP Proliant that scans and detects which drivers and firmware need updates for the machine's BIOS, RAID controller, NIC drivers, etc?

And 2nd part of my question-is there a similar software like Dell's free OpenManager Server Administrator for the HP Proliant? In case it makes a difference, the HP box I'm working on has the iLO card that lets me control it like I'm sitting in front of it.

[feigenL]

Hello there, HPE does have a tool that allows you to easely perform such tasks.

It is called HPE SPP, Suppor Pack for ProLiant, which is a bundle that contains a lot of new firmware codes, as well as drivers for many operating systems. You can download it here: https://techlibrary.hpe.com/us/en/enterprise/servers/products/service_pack/spp/index.aspx?version=gen10.2022.09.01.00

It is an ISO image that you can mount directly on the your Windows Server, and then you launch an application named launch_sum which is a batch file than opens a tab in your web browser with a very friendly interface called Software Update Manager, SUM. Once in that interface, you analyze the "localhost" and the tool will provide a report with the suggested updades for both firmware and drivers.

Then it gives you the option to execute the recommendtaions, and the reboot is a manual task that you can do at your convenience.

I think this is the best approach if you only have 1 server.

For your second question, HPE provides a couple of tools to monitor/manage/update several servers at a time.

One of this tools is OneView, which provides several other features, but is usefull for monitoring several servers in one single console.

The other tool is named iLO Amplifier Pack which can also help you monitor the hardware health of the servers through iLO connections. You may also perform firmware updates from this console.

Hope this helps.

Regards.