Tuesday, April 21, 2015

The mysterious cluster group called PBX-ClusterGroup-Servername revealed

After doing some research, I found that the cluster group is created by NetBackup’s network backup software.
NetBackup 6.0 contains features that are dependent on a new Common Services Framework (CSF) called, VERITAS Private Branch Exchange (PBX). PBX helps limit the number of TCP/IP ports used by many new features in NetBackup. In addition, it allows all socket communication to take place while connecting through a single port. The PBX port number is 1556. For more information about PBX and configuring NetBackup ports, refer to the NetBackup System Administrator’s Guide, Volume 1. Because PBX is required for all NetBackup products, its installation is part of the NetBackup installation procedure unless it is already present on the system.
Hope this information helps those investigating what or who created that cluster group without asking.

Monday, April 20, 2015

What is the difference between installing Windows Server 2012 as Server Core or server with a GUI?

Windows Server 2012 makes it possible to add and remove both the graphical shell and the management tools, making it simple to switch between a full server installation with a GUI and management tools and a Server Core installation.
Windows Server 2012 also introduced the ability to actually remove components from the disk, reducing the size of Windows on disk. Typically, all components are installed on disk in the WinSxS folder, even if the component isn't actually enabled--this allows Roles and Features to be installed without having to insert the Windows Server media.
When a Windows Server 2012 installation is installed in Server Core mode, the GUI and management tools aren't installed to disk in the WinSxS folder, which reduces the installation by around 4.3GB.
If you later want to add the GUI and management tools, an installation source is needed, such as the WinSxS folder of another server, the installation media (which could be on a share), or Windows Update (Windows Update has installation files for the Windows Server 2012 beta and release candidate in addition to RTM).

Configure iLO of a Server in Windows by HPONCFG:

HP Lights-Out Online Configuration utility (HPONCFG) is a configuration utility available from HP to configure iLO of Proliant Server. HP Lights-Out Online Configuration utility is available for Windows or Linux operating system. You can use HP Lights-Out Online Configuration utility to configure iLO of HP Server without rebooting the server. In this article, we will focus on the Windows version of HPONCFG. If you use Linux, then you need to use the linux version of HPONCFG.
HP Lights-Out Online Configuration utility (HPONCFG) will work with iLO, iLO3, iLO4 and iLO4. So in general, it works with almost all series and generation of HP Proliant Servers. HP Lights-Out Online Configuration utility (HPONCFG) can be used to perform initial iLO Setup, Reset iLO Password, Configure iLO Network Settings,change iLO user accounts, perform integration of iLO with Active Directory etc. You may download HPONCFG (HP Lights-Out Online Configuration utility) from driver download page of your HP Server.
Configure iLO in Windows
To configure iLO using HPONCFG, you need to have Administrator privilege on your server’s Operating System. HPONCFG also requires iLO Management Interface Driver and it must be downloaded and installed on the server. If iLO Management Interface Driver is not installed, HPONCFG will display a warning message stating that the driver is not installed. You could download iLO Management Interface Driver from driver download page of your HP Server.
HPONCFG is available for different operating systems such as Windows and Linux. iLO Online Configuration utility is also used to perform iLO administrator password reset, reset iLO  to factory settings etc. Though this tool is basically used in command line mode, here we will talk about HPONCFG GUI (HP Lights-Out Online Configuration Utility Graphical User Interface (GUI)) only. HPONCFG  utility can accept RIBCL XML scripts and execute it on your Server.


HP Lights-Out Online Configuration utility (HPONCFG) is available as a download atHP.com. Before you install HPONCFG ensure that you have installed iLO Management Interface Driver on your Server. In this article, we will discuss how to configure iLO using HPONCFG GUI. At the time of writing, the latest version of Lights-Out Online Configuration utility (HPONCFG) available for download is 4.3.0.0.  The latest version of HPONCFG will work on Windows 2003, 2008, 2008 R2 and Windows 2012.
So lets us see how to we configure iLO using this wonderful tool.
1. Go to HP.com and download HP Lights-Out Online Configuration utility (HPONCFG).
HP Lights-Out Online Configuration Utility for Windows 2003 2008 2012 x64 Editions
2. Once you download HPONCFG, install it on your Server (C:\Program Files\HP\hponcfg folder).
3. Now, Click Start, Click System Tools and open HP Lights-Out Online Configuration Utility.
Open HPONCFG from Windows
4. It will open HP Lights-Out Online Configuration Utility (HPONCFG) as shown below.
HPONCFG
4. To configure iLO, click on Network menu and select Standard Network Settings.
HPONCFG Network Configuration
5. It will open Standard Network Settings window as shown below.
6. DHCP is enabled by default, so to assign a Static IP, you need to disable DHCP here.
HP LightsOut Online Configuration Utility for Windows
7. Once you disable DHCP, please enter an IP address and Subnet Mask of your choice.
HP iLO Configuration
8. Scroll down the same window and click Apply button.
HP Lights-Out Online Configuration utility (HPONCFG)
9. As the iLO Network settings are changed, iLO may reset now.
10. Once iLO is reset, the new IP address will be shown at the Summary Page of HPONCFG.
HPONCFG iLO IP
11. To access iLO of your server, Open a web browser window and enter the iLO IP address.
12. Now iLO login page will be displayed in your web browser.
HP iLO Login screen
13. Login to iLO and start using it!
14. Great, you have successfully configured iLO on your Server.

How to Reset iLO 2 (Not server reset )

Integrated Lights-Out 2, or iLO2 is an embedded server management technology exclusive to Hewlett-Packard but similar in functionality to the Lights out management (LOM) technology of other vendors. iLO 2  can remotely perform most functions that otherwise require a visit to servers at thedata center, computer room or remote location.
HP Integrated Lights-Out 2 (iLO) is a hardware component on the HP server. This is a card/chip  which is usually integrated to the system board. You do not need an Operating System for iLO2 to work. It is on Hardware level. iLO2 has it’s own network connection and IP, and through it you can take remote of the server and use it.

How to Reset iLO 2:

Have you ever wondered how to reset iLO2 if it gets slow or stuck? You may reset iLO2 if it gets stuck OR if you receive messages like “there is a session already in progress” etc, below provided are the different methods of resetting iLO2. Note that resetting iLO2 will not affect the functionality of server. You can reset iLO2 while the server is in production. Here in this post, I am sharing how you can reset iLO2.
Method 1:
You may reset iLO from iLO web browser itself, this is the easiest method.
1. Open the iLO web interface. (Enter iLO ip address in web browser for the log-in screen to appear)
Integrated Lights Out Login
2. Enter your iLO login-name and Password. Now you will be at the main screen of iLO2.
Integrated Lights Out Main Window
3. Click Diagnostics from the left menu.
Integrated Lights Out Diagnostics Menu
4. Click the Reset button.
Integrated Lights Out Reset button
5. Click OK button in response to “Are you sure you want to reset iLO 2”message.
6. It may take 30-60 seconds for the iLO to reboot. Be patient 

Method 2:
For some users, clicking Apply button in Network settings of iLO 2 worked. This is happens because when we change any Network settings of iLO, iLO reset itself for the changes to take affect. Here is how you can do it.
1. From the main screen of iLO2, click on Administration tab
2. From the left pane, click on Settings. Then click on Network
Integrated Lights Out Networks Menu
3. Click on Apply button (No need to change any network settings).
4. Your iLO browser window will be terminated.
5. It may take 30-60 seconds for the iLO to reboot.
Method 3:
This is an offline method,  it means you need to be present in the server room to perform this task. If above said methods fails, then you need to perform this steps.
1. Turn OFF your Server.
2. Disconnect the Power supply unit (PSU) and Power supply cables from server.
3. After 2 -3 minutes, press and hold the Server Power button for 45 seconds.
4. Do not Turn ON server now.
5. Wait for 2-3 minutes, connect the Power supply and Power cable back to the server.
6. Do not turn ON server now.
7. Turn ON Server after 1-2 minutes.
8. After about 1-2 minutes the ILO should be ready for use.

Keeping backups of Cluster Logs

 

 

 

 

In a previous blog, Understanding the Cluster Debug Log in 2008, you were given the information on how Cluster logging in Windows 2008 Failover Clustering and beyond has changed from the earlier versions. In this blog, you were shown how the size of the log can be manipulated in order to keep a recommended 72 hours’ worth of data. Just to recap:

‘It is generally recommended that your CLUSTER.LOG have at least 72 hours’ worth of continuous data retention. This is so that if you have a failure occur after you went home on Friday, you still have the data you need to troubleshoot the issue on Monday morning’
What if you wanted to get information from further back (i.e. a week, a month, etc)? One of the ways you could do this is to increase the size of the log with the /SIZE: switch. However, increasing the size for say a month could get you into gigabytes of space being used and text files being massive and hard to go through. Have you ever tried to open a 1 gigabyte text file with Notepad?
Here is a way that you can keep the file at a smaller size and keep backups that can be referred back to at any time. First, you must determine what size is needed to hold 24 hours’ worth of data. This way, you can have a Cluster Log generated for every day. The next thing to consider is where you want to store the files, local or network share. What if you wanted to do this for multiple Clusters? Let’s say that you figured that you need the log size to be at 200meg and you are going to put it on a server (JOHNMARLIN).
The previous blog mentioned will have you run the command Cluster Log /Size:200 to set the proper size based on the data needed. I do this for all my Clusters. I then go out to my JOHNMARLIN server and create a share for each Cluster (TXCLUSTER, NCCLUSTER, etc). Now I just have to go to one node in each of the Clusters to set things up.
On the node you doing the task on, go into Control Panel - Region and Language and change the Short date to yyyy-MM-dd.
image
On this node, you could create a CLUSTERLOG folder off the root of Drive C:. In this C:\CLUSTERLOG directory, create a batch file called Get-Logs.bat that has the following commands:
Net use j: /d
Net use j: \\johnmarlin\txcluster
Md j:\%date%
Cluster log /gen /copy:"c:\clusterlog"
Copy c:\clusterlog\*.log j:\%date%\*.log
Net use j: /d
I used Drive Letter J:, but you can use any available letter. So what the batch file will do when run today (June 18, 2012) is:
1. It will create a folder on the share named by the date
a. 2012-06-18
2. It will generate the Cluster on every node
3. It will copy the cluster logs from all nodes to the local c:\clusterlog folder and tag the Node Name as part of the filename
a. TXCLUSTER-node1_cluster.log
b. TXCLUSTER-node2_cluster.log
c. TXCLUSTER-node3_cluster.log
d. TXCLUSTER-node4_cluster.log
4. It will copy the cluster logs from this c:\logs folder to the share folder with the date and keeping the same name
a. \2012-06-18\TXCLUSTER-node1_cluster.log
b. \2012-06-18\TXCLUSTER-node2_cluster.log
c. \2012-06-18\TXCLUSTER-node3_cluster.log
d. \2012-06-18\TXCLUSTER-node4_cluster.log
When it runs the next day:
1. It will create a folder on the share named by the date
a. 2012-06-19
2. It will generate the Cluster on every node
3. It will copy the cluster logs from all nodes to the local c:\clusterlog folder and tag the Node Name as part of the filename
a. TXCLUSTER-node1_cluster.log
b. TXCLUSTER-node2_cluster.log
c. TXCLUSTER-node3_cluster.log
d. TXCLUSTER-node4_cluster.log
4. It will copy the cluster logs from this c:\clusterlog folder to the share folder with the date keeping the same name
a. \2012-06-19\TXCLUSTER-node1_cluster.log
b. \2012-06-19\TXCLUSTER-node2_cluster.log
c. \2012-06-19\TXCLUSTER-node3_cluster.log
d. \2012-06-19\TXCLUSTER-node4_cluster.log
It runs the next day, it creates the next dated folder and files. This way, you have an easily sorted folder structure that you can go to any day you want and get the file you need from whichever node you need.
The next thing to do is set up a Scheduled Task to run each day so it creates the files for you. This way, you do not have to remember to do it. From the Administrative Tools, open up Task Scheduler and select Create Task. You can then use the below information to create the task.
A. General Tab
i. For the Name, call it something like Cluster Daily Log Backups
ii. make sure use an account that has admin rights to this node, to the Cluster, and the network share
iii. select Run whether user is logged in or not
iv. You will also need to select Run with highest privileges
image
B. Triggers Tab
i. Set whatever time you want it to run.  One thing to keep in mind is that the Cluster Log is in GMT time, so account for it when deciding when to have them created
ii. Select it to run daily and recur for 352 days
iii. Make sure is Enabled
image
C. Actions Tab
i. Program/Script will be CMD.EXE
ii. Add Arguments will be /C C:\Logs\Get-Logs.bat
image
D. Conditions Tab
i. Don't really need change anything unless want to
E. Settings Tab
i. Check Allow task to be run on demand
ii. Check Run task as soon as possible after scheduled start is missed
image
So now you have your task that will do this for you. You can now just sit back and relax knowing that you will have a Cluster Log generated for every node every day.
There are a couple caveats to this that you must take into consideration. If the account you are using has its password changed on the domain, you will have to change it on the task as well.  It will stop running after 352 days, so if you want more, you would have to create it again.  But you will have a year's worth of Cluster Logs when it is done.
There are other ways of doing this. You could use scripting and the PowerShell command:
Get-ClusterLog –Destination
You could also use other methods than the batch file. This is just one of the ways of doing it.



Cluster comdlet :


https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ee461043.aspx

Finding out root cause for Cluster Failovers


We do get quite a few issues regarding root cause analysis for Cluster Failovers. Failovers mostly happen due to the IsAlive check failing for the SQL Server resource after which the following two




conditions arise:
1. SQL Server service restarts on the same cluster node
2. SQL Server resource fails over to a member cluster node
So, for looking into the possible root causes of a cluster failover, a SQL version of the MPS Reports capture is required from the node on which SQL is currently active. From the data requested by the



PSS Engineer, the following files would be of utmost importance:
1. All the SQL Server ERRORLOGs
2. Windows Event Logs (System/Application)
3. Cluster Log





Based on the SQL Server ERRORLOGs, we would check for any errors or tell-tale signs which would point us to why the IsAlive check failed for the SQL Server resource. After that, we would look into the cluster log and the windows event logs to find out co-relation among the events during the failover time on the server.
Since, the cluster log rolls over and also the SQL Server ERRORLOGs can roll over very quickly if a job is in place to recycle if after a certain size, it is a very good idea to save the cluster log and the SQL Server ERRORLOG(s) right after the failover to prevent them from rolling over and overwriting valuable data from the problem time period.
Sometimes, a post mortem analysis provides us a hypothesis of what happened but doesn’t paint the picture completely due to lack of data from the period the problem happened. Based on the nature of the problem, the PSS Engineer might ask to you to do the following for the the next problem


occurrence along :
1. Capture a light-weight PSSDIAG round the clock with file rollover so that we can track what sort of events were happening on the SQL instance right before the failover.


2. Or a filtered dump of the SQL Process during the problem period if there is heavy blocking on the server or if the failover had occurred due to memory dump(s) on the server


3. OR a round the clock Perfmon log if there were possible external memory pressure on the server.
NOTE: Keep in mind that the cluster logs are always in GMT format. So you need to add/substract the time difference between your timezone and GMT when analyzing the cluster logs.

Cluster failover logs needed for root cause analysis


Purpose:
  Logs required for analysis
Overview:
  • Sudden Failover of cluster node.
  • Switching between nodes.
  • Unable to run one cluster group on a specific node, but other node no.
  • Cannot start SAP or DB after some maintenance on one specific node.
Procedure:

1. Timestamp of when issue occurred.
2. Windows event viewer logs.
. Open the Event Viewer with "Start" -> "Control Panel" -> "Administrative Tools" -> "Event Viewer". Alternatively, use the command "eventvwr.exe".
    • Windows Server 2003: Right-click the relevant logs and choose "Save Log File as". Save as type "Event Log" (evt format).
    • Windows Server 2008: In the "Windows Logs" category, right-click the relevant event logs and choose "Save Events as". Save as type "Event Files" (evtx format).
 Compress the files (preferably use the "zip" format, e.g. use tool 7-ZIP from http://www.7-zip.org which has the best compression of all zip tools). You can also use sapcar.exe to compress the files, if no zip tool is available.
 Attach files to the incident.
 3. Windows Cluster log.  In Windows 2003 this is located at /system32/cluster  name of the log is cluster.log, For Windows 2008 or Windows 2008R2 you can use the cluster.exe command line
CLUSTER [cluster-name] LOG /GEN /COPY:"pathname A detailed trace log from each of the nodes is generated and copied to the path you specify. Need to attach several pages from the time of the failover
4. Trace files from the work directory of the failing instance ie ASCS or SCS in zip formatZip and attach  dev_disp, dev_w*, dev_ms, dev_rd. the stderr files, sapstartsrv and sapstart.log
Again use 7-ZIP to compress the files or sapcar.exe if no zip application is avaible

Server hardware related stuffs

qlogic  card name  - current driver /firmware

 







Smart Array 6i embedded Controller

 Microsoft Windows Server 2003 

 Driver version :
5.80.0.32 (C)
18 Aug 2009

firmware : 2.84 (A)
15 Jul 2008



network card name version /firmware /driver

 







Difference between firmware  and device driver?



Firmware is the software that runs on the device. A driver is the software that tells your operating system how to communicate with the device. Not all devices have firmware--only devices with some level of intelligence.







Click to view the SPP Support Statement

HP Service Pack for ProLiant (SPP) is a comprehensive systems software and firmware update solution, which is delivered as a single ISO image. This solution uses HP Smart Update Manager (HP SUM) as the deployment tool and is tested on all HP ProLiant Gen9, Gen8 and earlier servers as defined in the Service Pack for ProLiant Server Support Guide.
Release Summary:
Added support for:
  • New HP ProLiant servers and options
  • Red Had Enterprise Linux 6.6, SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 12, VMware vSphere 5.5 U2 and VMware vSphere 6.0
  • HP USB Key Utility for Windows v2.0.0.0 for downloads greater than 4GB
  • Select Linux firmware components available in rpm format
  • HP Smart Update Manager v7.2.0. 
With this release, the SPP may not fit on standard DVD media.  See theHP Service Pack for ProLiant Release Notes for more information.

See the HP Service Pack for ProLiant Server Support Guide for information on supported HP servers.



Difference between: Smart Start & PSP (Proliant Support Pack) & HP SPP (Service Pack for proliant ) 



ProLiant Support Pack (PSP) contains drivers and supporting software for the server

SmartStart CD enables deploying operating system on the server by preparing it with appropriate software and post installation install the PSP automatically should one choose to.

As stated above by Bart, SmartStart CD can be used for servers up to HP ProLiant G7 servers. From HP ProLiant Gen8 servers, use HP Intelligent Provisioning to deploy operating system. If the version of HP Intelligent Provisioning is an older version, then download the latest version of HP Service Pack for ProLiant (HP SPP) to update HP Intelligent Provisioning by booting the server from the latest version of HP SPP.

HP Intelligent Provisioning can be run by restarting/starting the server and during POST prompt and press key “F10” to launch it.



##################


Smartstart is the boot CD that will help you with the (assisted or manual) installation of your server. This up to G7 servers. From Gen8 on you must use Intelligent Provisioning which is build-in inside the ILO4 from every Gen8 server. Just push F10 when booting up the server.

SPP Service Pack for Proliant is replacing the PSP Proliant Support Pack and Firmware DVD bundled together.
So SPP is always the way to go except for older Proliant servers G4 and before and Windows 2003 servers. SPP supports only Windows 2008 and higher... All details around support can be found on www.hp.com/go/spp


Defining the Terms Driver, Firmware, Hardware, Software, and Utility

Overview:
This article will help explain the terms usually used in Networking such as Driver, Firmware, Hardware, Software and Utility.
Symptoms:
  • what is software/utility
  • what is driver
  • what is firmware
  • what is hardware
Resolution:
Hardware is any physical electronic device. Computers, adapter cards and Ethernet cables are examples.
Software is a broad term for the programs running on hardware. Familiar kinds of software are operating systems, which provide overall control for computer hardware, and applications, which are optional programs used for a particular job. Software resides on disks and is brought into memory when it is needed.
Often a distinction is drawn between software and firmware. Firmware is software that is semi-permanently placed in hardware. It does not disappear when hardware is powered off, and is often changed by special installation processes or with administration tools. The memory firmware uses is very fast — making it ideal for controlling hardware where performance is important. For example, NETGEAR routers filter using firmware, which tends to make them faster than a PC or Macintosh performing a similar function.
A software or firmware upgrade makes a permanent change — usually an improvement in features, in performance, or to correct errors.
Beta software or firmware is an upgrade that has not been thoroughly tested. Some situations that can only be tested by putting equipment in the actual situation it will work. Beta software and firmware is far more likely to have bugs than the polished final versions. Beta firmware may change rapidly when errors are found and corrected by the makers. For these reasons NETGEAR makes beta software and firmware available, but cannot provide technical support for it.
A driver is software and/or firmware that controls hardware. Often it connects an operating system with specific hardware devices. For example, there are drivers for every card and disk in your computer. Each driver is written for a specific operating system — for example Windows XP or Macintosh OS X. Therefore, to use a card in your computer, you must use a driver that matches the device and also your operating system. Drivers can be enhanced, for example, when new operating systems come out. Eventually hardware becomes so old it is no longer economical or practical to produce new drivers for it.
Sometimes the words software, firmware and driver are used interchangably, so don't be thrown off if somebody uses the word "software" when you expected to hear "driver", or vice versa.
A utility is software used for the limited purpose of changing the overall behavior of hardware or other software. (For example configuring your browser to accept cookies.) Utilities tend to be used once or twice at most. On a typical computer or router, there will be utilities users never touch at all. If a utility is not used, default values are used, instead.



array controller - acu -version



ilo 3 vs ilo 4


General
1.What is the difference between iLO 3 and iLO 2?
2.Can I use the same iLO Advanced license for iLO 2 and iLO 3 systems?
3.If I purchase a system with iLO 2, can I upgrade to iLO 3?
4.How can iLO Advanced benefit my business?
5.What are HP iLO Advanced and iLO Advanced for BladeSystem?
6.How are the iLO Advanced features enabled on iLO 3 and iLO 2 management processors?
7.How can I evaluate iLO Advanced or iLO Advanced for BladeSystem on my ProLiant server or ProLiant BladeSystem?
8.How can I buy iLO Advanced?

Answers

General
Q1.What is the difference between iLO 3 and iLO 2?
A1.ILO 3 contains all of the functionality of iLO 2, but delivers faster performance than its predecessor.  With a greater CPU performance and more memory, it also provides headroom for significant future functionality expansion.

Q2.Can I use the same iLO Advanced license for iLO 2 and iLO 3 systems?
A2.Yes. ILO Advanced licenses work with any generation of iLO management processor, so licenses purchased today can be used on future generations of product.

Q3.If I purchase a system with iLO 2, can I upgrade to iLO 3?
A3.No.  The management processor is embedded on the server motherboard and cannot be replaced or upgraded.

Q4.How can iLO Advanced benefit my business?
A4.HP iLO Advanced provides full remote control of a ProLiant server without compromise for routine administration or occasional maintenance. It eliminates more trips to remote ProLiant servers than any other remote control solution because it enables full remote control when the system is powered off, starting up, distressed or operating normally. With iLO Advanced, you can perform virtually any task remotely as if you were at the server using its keyboard, mouse and monitor, power button and floppy, CD/DVD or USB key. iLO Advanced can also automatically capture video footage every time the server boots up, and every time the server has a fault sequence (like a blue screen). Multiple server administrators can even view and share control of the system console to collaboratively troubleshoot and administer ProLiant servers.
HP iLO Advanced puts you in control whether the remote system is powered off, distressed or running normally. It is the single, remote control solution that dramatically reduces the need to travel to a server or to find qualified local support when responding to a problem or performing routine administration of hardware, firmware or software.

Q5.What are HP iLO Advanced and iLO Advanced for BladeSystem?
A5.HP iLO Advanced is the most complete remote management experience you can have with your ProLiant server. HP iLO Advanced provides powerful visual access of your remote server through the graphical remote console, regardless of the server’s location or your location. iLO Advanced also provides a number of other benefits such as the ability to cap server power, automatically capture video footage of server events like the last boot and last fault, allow for global team collaboration for up to four users, ability to deploy images, fixes, etc with virtual media, and much more. HP iLO Advanced for BladeSystem provides the same level of comprehensive remote management to your ProLiant BladeSystem server blade.

Q6.How are the iLO Advanced features enabled on iLO 3 and iLO 2 management processors?
A6.There is no additional software installation required to upgrade standard iLO 2 or iLO 3 features to iLO Advanced or iLO Advanced for BladeSystem. All the firmware required for iLO Advanced and iLO Advanced for BladeSystem ships on ProLiant and ProLiant BladeSystem servers. iLO Advanced and iLO Advanced for BladeSystem are enabled simply by entering a license key. The license key can be entered using the browser interface, command line or scripting interfaces.

Q7.How can I evaluate iLO Advanced or iLO Advanced for BladeSystem on my ProLiant server or ProLiant BladeSystem?
A7.Yes. Visit this website, select “Click here to register”, and select the iLO product you wish to evaluate. You can temporarily activate all iLO Advanced features on your server for 60 days. Only one 60 day trial is permitted per server.

Q8.How can I buy iLO Advanced?
A8.ILO Advanced can be purchased standalone or as part of HP Insight Control.  Purchasing iLO Advanced as part of HP Insight Control delivers access to bare metal deployment, fault monitoring, performance management, advanced power management, and server migration capabilities in addition to remote administration functions.
http://h18000.www1.hp.com/products/servers/management/iloadv3/questionsanswers.html



How to upgrade ilo firmware


Instead of installing firmwares individually and running into an issue where the driver is old and firmware is new, it is best to use an update bundle like HP Proliant's have the Proliant Support Pack. This ensure you get the latest firmware, drivers, utilities that have been tested to work together.







How to update HP Integrated Lights-Out firmware

Integrated Lights-Out (iLO) is an integrated hardware component installed on all HP Proliant and Blade Servers. iLO facilitates  remote management of the server. Latest HP Proliant G7 Servers are installed with Integrated Lights-Out 3 (iLO3). Compared to older versions of iLO and iLO2, iLO3 is much faster and gives more advanced features. Today, we will  discuss about firmware updation of iLO3.iLO 3 Image


HP released frequent iLO firmware updates and most of the iLO3 firmware upgrade contains new features and enhanced functionality. There are different methods to update the iLO firmware. You can use iLO Online updates for Windows and linux (.exe or .scexe files); you can use HP Smart Update Firmware DVD of the server to update the iLO firmware OR you can use iLO browser based option to update the iLO firmware. Today we will be discussing about updating iLO 3 firmware using the browser based option.
Since web based firmware update supports only the firmware image file (.BIN file); we need to extract the .BIN file from one of the online firmware package available on HP driver download page. The .BIN firmware update file is not available as a direct download option at HP.com, instead you need to extract the .BIN file from the online firmware update files (.exe files)
Today, I am updating one of the HP Proliant DL360 G7 Server hence I am updating iLO3 firmware. Similar steps are applied for iLO2 as well (HP G6 series and older servers).

Steps we need to follow:

1. Download iLO online firmware update file to your computer. Then extract the .BIN file from it.
2. Login to iLO web interface and update the firmware by uploading the .BIN file.
Step 1: Download online Firmware update file  and extract the .BIN file
1. Go to HP Driver download page of your Server
2. Select one of the Windows OS from the list and download the online iLO Firmware
Download Online Update of iLO Firmware
3. Once you download the file, just execute it (Example file name: cp015457.exe)
4. Online ROM Flash installation window will be open in your computer (as shown below)
5. Click on the Extract button and extract the files to a folder on your computer
Extract the Firmware update files6. Open the folder in which you have extracted the files ( Here my folder name: iLO3 Firmware)
Find the .bin extracted update7. You could find the .BIN file listed in the folder (File name: ilo3_126.bin)
Step 2: Login to iLO browser window and update the firmware (using the .BIN file)
1. Enter the IP address of iLO in your browser window, it will open iLO web interface
2. Enter the iLO User name and Password and login to the iLOLogin to iLO33. Click on Administration and iLO 3 Firmware. The iLO 3 Firmware page will appear.
Click on Administration and iLO 3 Firmware4. At iLO 3 Firmware page, click Browse button and select the .BIN file we have extracted
Select the .BN file5. Now, we need to click the Upload button.
Click on Upload button6. You will receive a Warning about iLO firmware update process, Click on OK!
iLO3 firmware update Click OK7. Now iLO Firmware image file (.BIN file) will be uploaded (shown below)
Upload iLO3 Firmware8. Later you will find  a screen saying Receive image (Shown below)
Receive iLO3 Firmware
9. Now iLO firmware will be flashed (Shown below)Flashing iLO3 Firmware

http://kiruba4u.blogspot.in/2012/03/how-to-update-hp-integrated-lights-out.html




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