How to pull BIOS setting on a running server.

[CJMS]

Hi there,

Is there a way I can obtain the BIOS setting from the running server. I am looking for a script or a tool that I can use to modify/view the BIOS setting without powering down the server.

Thanks,
CJ

[Jimmy Vance]

depending on what information your looking for "dmidecode" might be all you need to display BIOS setings. To modify settings you will need to load the hpasmcli utility which is part of the HP System Health Application and Command Line Utilities package in the Prolaint Support Pack (PSP)

http://h18004.www1.hp.com/products/servers/management/psp/index.html

[Mike Stroyan]

If you are dealing with HP proliant servers then you may be able to read and set the values that interest you with the "HP SmartStart Scripting Toolkit"; See
http://h18006.www1.hp.com/products/servers/management/toolkit/index.html for more information. (I don't see how you could effectively change any BIOS settings without a reboot.)

[Jimmy Vance]

While utilities in the SSSTK like "conrep" will allow you to change system ROM settings, and I do create many enhanced scripts for use with the SSSTK.

The "hpasmcli" tool from the PSP allows you to change the settings on a running system. Granted you will need to reboot for most changes to take effect.

[Steven E. Protter]

Shalom,

PSP will give you the information on an HP branded server.

Otherwise you are going to have to get Linux utilities made by the server builder.

BIOS is unique to each machine and there is no real standard OS utility that can get the information.

hwbrowser in RHEL 4 and below can provide limited information but not affect changes.

SEP