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HP ProLiant Servers - Updating the Server Firmware ROM

| What is Firmware?
| Why Should I Update My Firmware?
| How Do I Update My Firmware?
| Updating Firmware Using The Offline ROM Flash Method
| Updating Firmware Using the Online ROM Flash Method
| The HP Drive Key Boot Utility
| Using the ROM-Based Setup Utiltiy
| Downloading System RomPaq files

What is Firmware?

Firmware is a software program that is stored in Read-Only Memory (ROM) chip on the system board or on an add-on controller. Firmware is responsible for the behavior of the system when it is first switched on and for passing control of the server to the operating system. When referring to the firmware on the system board of the server, it is called the System ROM or the BIOS. When referring to the firmware on another piece of hardware configured in the server, it is called the Option ROM.

In ProLiant servers, hard drives, Smart Array Controllers, Remote Insight Lights-Out Edition (RILOE), Remote Insight Lights-Out Edition II (RILOE II) and Integrated Lights-Out (iLO) options have firmware that can be updated. For the purposes of this document, it will be referred to collectively as “firmware.�?

Why Should I Update My Firmware?

It is important to update the firmware (also called “flashing the ROM�?) as part of regular server maintenance. In addition, checking for specific firmware updates in between regular updates helps to keep the server performing optimally. Firmware updates are created for, but are not limited to, the following reasons:

To provide critical problem fixes that ensure system stability, such as upgrades that may prevent server unresponsiveness and other issues that could put the system at risk.

To correct product issues, such as ROM or processor functionality.

To improve system performance or make the system more serviceable.

| NOTE: | Many product issues that result in hardware replacement are preventable or correctable with a firmware update. HP recommends checking for a firmware update before sending a part back to HP for replacement. Based on the HP ProLiant product return rates, approximately 30 to 35 percent of all returned hardware products were functioning properly and only needed a firmware update. Although not all products fall into this category, server downtime and time spent removing, returning, and ultimately replacing hardware may have been avoided if an attempt had been made to flash the firmware during the troubleshooting process.

| NOTE: | On servers that have add-on options, HP recommends checking for firmware upgrades for each installed option whenever an update to the System ROM or to another option is performed. This ensures that the system, as a whole, is running the latest updates for each component.

HP has developed several methods for updating the firmware in a ProLiant server and makes it easy to do so. HP ISS Engineering emphasizes the importance of regular firmware updates to ensure that a ProLiant server is running optimally, making the system and its data less vulnerable to critical hardware and software events. The different firmware update methods are listed below.

How Do I Update My Firmware?

Once a firmware update is available, from the HP Business Support Center download pages, the next step is to install the update onto the system. HP has many methods for updating firmware, making the process easy. The following paragraphs discuss each method and provide information on how to perform the updates.

Currently, there are two different methods for updating firmware on HP servers and options: the traditional Offline ROM Flash , and the innovative Online ROM Flash .

| NOTE: | The Online ROM Flash is not currently available for all products. If an Online ROM Flash is unavailable for a particular server or option, an Offline upgrade will need to be performed.

If a server has been deployed more than three months after purchase, upgrade the firmware on the system and also on any options that are installed using the HP Support and Drivers page on HP.COM, rather than the Firmware Maintenance CD that shipped with the server. In addition, it is beneficial to check for firmware updates for any options that may have been in customer stock but are not deployed until later. This ensures that all server components are running the latest firmware versions.

Updating Firmware Using The Offline ROM Flash Method

The Offline ROM Flash, as its name implies, is performed when the server is taken down for regular maintenance. Although the results will be the same, the Offline ROM Flash does not provide the same benefits of the new Online ROM Flash method. In addition, when upgrading remotely, the server administrator can only update one server at a time. There are two methods of performing an Offline ROM Flash.

The server firmware can be updated using a ROMPaq boot Diskette.

Download the Server ROMPaq file from the HP Business Support Center.

Run the download file to create the ROMPaq boot Diskette.

Click here for a complete listing of all the available ProLiant Server ROMPaq downloads .

Or by using either the ROM Update Utility or the HP Smart Update Manager.

| NOTE: | Beginning with the Firmware Maintenance CD Version 7.50, the HP Smart Update Manager Utility has replaced the HP ROM Update Utility. All other firmware update methods, including Offline Systems ROMPaq and Online ROM Flash are unaffected and continue to be supported methods of flashing the System ROM.

The Customer Notice titled, "HP Smart Update Manager Utility Replaces HP ROM Update Utility on the Firmware Maintenance CD, and Provides Enhancements for Upgrading Firmware on ProLiant Servers", provides information on the differences between the HP Smart Update Manager Utility and the HP ROM Update Utility and the upgrades and enhancements available in HP Smart Update Manager.

Click here to access and view the HP Smart Update Manager Utility Customer Notice .

A ROMPaq is a floppy-disk based method of upgrade. The firmware is downloaded onto a floppy diskette and then the system is booted to the floppy drive. The ROM Update Utility is located on the Firmware Maintenance CD, or can be downloaded to a USB Drive Key using the HP Drive Key Boot Utility.

| NOTE: | Hard Drive components can only be updated using the Offline method.

Click here to access and download the hard drive firmware updates.

Updating Firmware Using the Online ROM Flash Method

The Online ROM Flash is an innovative technology developed by HP that allows the firmware to be upgraded either locally or remotely via a downloadable file called a Smart Component. These Smart Components enable the update to be performed while the server is operational, thereby avoiding costly server downtime.

Benefits of the Online ROM Flash include:

The server does not have to be taken offline to perform the upgrade.

The upgrade process takes less than a minute to complete.

The server can be scheduled for a reboot at a later time to deploy the new firmware after the upgrade process.

The server administrator can remotely perform the upgrade to multiple servers at one time using the ProLiant Remote Deployment Utility, the ProLiant Remote Deployment Console Utility, and other HP server management technologies, such as HP Systems Insight Manager (HP SIM).

The Smart Component updates the firmware and configures the system so that the new settings will take effect on the next reboot. This feature allows the update to be performed but gives the administrator control of when the new settings are deployed.

For detailed information on the Online ROM Flash process, click here to view and read the Online ROM Flash User Guide .

Smart Components for HP ProLiant servers and storage can be obtained from the HP Business Support Center Software and Drivers download pages. Click here to access the BSC web site and the current downloads that are available .

All Onlne ROM Flash upgrades are OS dependent. Two types of OS ROM Flash upgrades are available:

Microsoft Windows Operating Systems

Linux Operating Systems

After selecting the HP ProLiant Server Model Family from the BSC Software and Drivers download site, then select the Operating System that is installed on the system.

Scroll down to the BIOS and Firmware section and select the OS ROM Flash upgrade file.

For more information on how to deploy firmware updates remotely, refer to the following documentation.

Click here to access and view the Insight Manager resources and Information library web site .

The HP Drive Key Boot Utility

The HP Drive Key Boot Utility can format an HP Drive Key so that it can be used as a bootable device. The utility also provides the ability to load the ROM Update Utility on an HP Drive Key. After the ROM Update Utility has been installed, the Offline ROM Flash Smart Components can be downloaded to the drive key using the ROM Update Utility.

System ROM support is required for the HP Drive Key Utility. A list of HP ProLiant servers that support the HP USB Floppy Drive Key can be found on page 2 of the Drive Key product QuickSpecs. Click here to access and view the HP USB Floppy Drive Key QuickSpecs .

For additional information on using the HP Drive Key Boot Utility, check the following documents that are available.

Click here to view and read the "HP drive key boot utility for ProLiant servers" User Guide .

Click here to view and read the "HP USB Floppy Drive Key technologies technology brief" .

Using the ROM-Based Setup Utiltiy

After the ProLiant server system ROM has been upgraded to the latest version, you will need to run the ROM-Based Setup Utiliy (RBSU) and configure the system BIOS for the current hardware configuration and components that are installed into the system.

RBSU performs a wide range of configuration activities that may include:

Configuring system devices and installed options

Displaying system information

Selecting the primary boot controller

Configuring online spare memory

Click here to access and read the "HP ROM-Based Setup Utility User Guide" .

Downloading System RomPaq files

Method 1:

Click here to access the "HP ProLiant Servers - ROM Identification and Firmware Upgrades" page on the HP Business Support Center .

This page provides download links to the latest System RomPaq for each family of ProLiant servers.

Method 2:

You can also click here to go to the HP Business Support Center - Download drivers and software page for ProLiant servers .

Then perform the following steps:

Select your Server model family from the list of servers.

Next, select the Operating System that is installed on the server.

On the next download menu select, BIOS - System ROM from the download categories.

Select and download the System ROM file needed for your server installation.

| NOTE: | This method will also allow you to obtain the Online ROM Flash Component for Windows that are used with the HP Management Utilities.

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