HP Integrity Servers and HP 9000 Servers

Firmware Update Options

HP Part Number: 5900-2655

Published: March 2013
Edition: 4
© Copyright 2010, 2013 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P
The information contained herein is subject to change without notice. The only warranties for HP products and services are set forth in the express
warranty statements accompanying such products and services. Nothing herein should be construed as constituting an additional warranty. HP shall
not be liable for technical or editorial errors or omissions contained herein.
Contents
Introduction..............................................................................................................................4
HP Firmware Manager.........................................................................................................4
HP Integrity and HP 9000 firmware update solutions.....................................................................5
HP Integrity Systems.............................................................................................................5
HP 9000............................................................................................................................6
HP Smart Update Manager (HP SUM).........................................................................................7
HP FM....................................................................................................................................7
HP OSIFM..........................................................................................................................7
HP OFM.............................................................................................................................8
Additional firmware installation options.......................................................................................8
EFI image...........................................................................................................................8
iLO 3.................................................................................................................................8
MP-Initiated.........................................................................................................................8
Firmware update options comparison..........................................................................................8
Frequently Asked Questions.....................................................................................................10
How can I be notified when new firmware packages are available?.........................................10
Where can I download firmware packages?..........................................................................10
How can I view the firmware version installed on my system?...................................................11
When is a power down and reboot required after updating firmware?......................................11
Feedback...................................................................................................12
Glossary....................................................................................................13
A Updating firmware using iLO 3..................................................................14
Files to use to update through iLO3...........................................................................................14
How to update firmware through iLO 3......................................................................................14

Contents 3
Introduction
This document is updated when new update methods or firmware components for updates are
introduced.
A new firmware update method was introduced in May 2010, supporting the new Integrity server
blades. This method uses a tool, HP Smart Update Manager, that comes bundled with the firmware
update packages. Previous firmware update methods will continue to support systems introduced
prior to 2010 (see “HP Firmware Manager” (page 4)).
As of November 2011 HP SUM 5.0 supports the following new capabilities:
• Common application with Proliant.
◦ The same HPSUM 5.0.0 tool can be used to update Integrity and/or Proliant products
at the same time.
• Support for Superdome 2 servers.
As of September 2012, HP SUM 5.3.0 supports the ability to update I/O firmware on servers
running HP-UX using IO Smart Components for HP SUM. As of December 2012, IO Smart
Components are available for Superdome 2 servers, but they are only available for add-on cards
for other HP SUM-supported servers.
As of December 2012, the new HP Integrity BL860 i4, BL870 i4 & BL890 i4 blades and rx2800
i4 servers are supported with HP SUM 5.2.0 or later.
For the latest information on HP SUM, see the HP Smart Update Manager User Guide and white
papers at http://www.hp.com/go/hpsum/documentation.

NOTE: HP Integrity Servers Firmware Compatibility Matrices are provided at http://www.hp.com/

go/smartupdate/integrity:
• HP Release Sets for Integrity Blades
• HP Release Sets for rx2800 i2 and i4 servers
• HP Release Sets for Superdome 2 servers

HP Firmware Manager
For HP 9000 and HP Integrity systems introduced prior to 2010, Hewlett-Packard offers a simple,
flexible procedure for updating system Firmware called HP Firmware Manager (HP FM). HP FM
will continue to be available for systems introduced prior to 2010.
With the new 2010 Integrity blades, HP provides IO card bundles, with an OS initiate-able method
to update the firmware on the IO cards. For Superdome 2, HP provides an automated I/O update
package containing firmware for all supported I/O cards on the server.
All firmware update solutions are available on http://www.hp.com.
Each firmware package includes:
• Firmware
• Firmware update tools
• Release notes that include the installation instructions
• A web read me file that describes any last minute changes (if needed)
This document describes the various HP Firmware update mechanisms for HP Integrity and HP
9000 enterprise systems, and their advantages and benefits to help choose the most suitable option
for each business need.

4
 If you have registered your product through the HP Subscriber's Choice website, you can subscribe
to email notifications when firmware updates are available for download. The HP Subscriber's
Choice service is available at:
http://www.hp.com/go/subscribe-gate1

HP Integrity and HP 9000 firmware update solutions

HP Integrity Systems
This table lists the HP Integrity systems and their various Firmware update options as of the
publication date of this document. It does not include the IO cards firmware update options.
Table 1 HP Integrity supported firmware update methods
HP SUM
online HP FM (Firmware Manager) Others OA Through MP (ILO)

HP Smart HP OSIFM HP EFI OA GUI, MP-initiated ILO 3 GUI

Update OFM Image TUI, or CLI & CLI
Manager
HP
Integrity OS HP-UX Linux® Windows® OpenVMS Offline Offline OS From MP From ILO
Systems Independent independent

Cellular Systems

Superdome x NA NA NA NA NA NA x NA NA
2

Superdome NA x x x x x NA NA x NA
sx2000

rx8640 NA x x x x x NA NA x NA

rx7640 NA x x x x x NA NA x NA

Non-Cellular Systems

cx2600 NA x x NA NA x NA NA NA NA

cx2620 NA x x NA NA x NA NA NA NA

zx2000 NA x x NA NA x x NA NA NA

rx1600 NA x x AP only x x x NA NA NA

rx1620 NA x x x x x x NA NA NA

rx2600 NA x x x x x x NA NA NA

rx2620 NA x x x x x x NA NA NA

rx2660 NA x x x x x x NA NA NA

rx2800 i2 x NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA x

rx2800 i4 x NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA x

rx3600 NA x x x x x x NA NA NA

rx4640 NA x x x x x x NA NA NA

rx5670 NA x x x NA x x NA NA NA

rx6600 NA x x x x x x NA NA NA

BL60p NA x x x NA x x NA NA NA

BL860C NA x x x NA x x NA NA NA

BL870C NA x x x NA x x NA NA NA

HP Integrity and HP 9000 firmware update solutions 5

 Table 1 HP Integrity supported firmware update methods (continued)
HP SUM
online HP FM (Firmware Manager) Others OA Through MP (ILO)

HP Smart HP OSIFM HP EFI OA GUI, MP-initiated ILO 3 GUI

Update OFM Image TUI, or CLI & CLI
Manager
HP
Integrity OS HP-UX Linux® Windows® OpenVMS Offline Offline OS From MP From ILO
Systems Independent independent

BL860c i2 x NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA x

BL870c i2 x NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA x

BL890c i2 x NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA x

BL860c i4 x NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA x

BL870c i4 x NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA x

BL890c i4 x NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA x

Legend:
• NA = Not applicable
• x = Available
• * = Future

HP 9000
The following table lists the HP 9000 systems and their various firmware update options as of the
publication date of this document.
Table 2 HP 9000 supported firmware update methods
HP Firmware Manager (FM) Others

HP OSIFM HP OFM EFI Image MP-initiated

HP 9000
Systems HP-UX Linux® Windows® OpenVMS

Cellular Systems

HP 9000 x NA NA NA NA NA x
Superdome
sx2000

rp8440 x NA NA NA NA NA x

rp7440 x NA NA NA NA NA x

Non-Cellular Systems

C8000 x NA NA NA NA NA NA

rp24xx x NA NA NA NA NA NA

rp54xx x NA NA NA NA NA NA

rp7400 x NA NA NA NA NA NA

rp3410 x NA NA NA NA NA NA

rp3440 x NA NA NA NA NA NA

6
 Table 2 HP 9000 supported firmware update methods (continued)
HP Firmware Manager (FM) Others

HP OSIFM HP OFM EFI Image MP-initiated

HP 9000
Systems HP-UX Linux® Windows® OpenVMS

rp4440 x NA NA NA NA NA NA

Legend:
• x = Available
• NA = Not applicable

HP Smart Update Manager (HP SUM)

HP SUM is a tool that runs from a networked Windows X86 or a Linux X86 workstation or laptop.
The tool is included in the HP Smart Update Firmware Bundle for the supported servers (see table
above). HP SUM discovers the new firmware packages you currently have, the firmware versions
currently installed on your systems, which firmware components need to be updated, and allows
you to upgrade, downgrade or re-install firmware on one or multiple systems and enclosures. Since
HP SUM runs from a separate networked workstation, it is independent of the operating system
installed on your Integrity server. HP SUM can update the system firmware, ILO firmware , FPGA
firmware, and power monitor firmware regardless of the OS running on the blade or server. Using
HP SUM, you can perform firmware updates while the Integrity system is online or offline, powered
on or powered off while still connected to standby or housekeeping power.
Although the update might be done online, the activation of the system firmware and the FPGA
firmware requires power cycling. Starting with HP SUM version 5.0, the default behavior delays
firmware activation until you power cycle the system at a convenient time. If you want HP SUM to
activate the firmware immediately, choose Upload and Activate.
The next time you power cycle the system, the firmware will be activated. Before the power cycle,
you may use the ILO GUI or CLI to verify the firmware versions. The firmware state will appear as
Pending.
HP SUM has an interactive Graphical User Interface (GUI) and a non-interactive Command Line
Interface (CLI).

HP FM
HP Firmware Manager (HP FM) offers two types of firmware installation solutions: HP OS Initiated
Firmware (HP OSIFM) and HP Offline Firmware Manager (HP OFM).
The HP FM solutions are packaged with the tools and documentation necessary to manage the
update process.
HP FM manages firmware updates for HP 9000 and pre-2010 HP Integrity systems.

HP OSIFM
HP OSIFM enables firmware installation that takes advantage of standard operating system software
installation tools. The installation procedure begins and ends with the operating system, although
an OS reboot might be performed by the tool. On Integrity high-end systems, HP OSIFM enables
you to update one partition or the whole complex.
HP OSIFM is delivered as a software update for each OS. HP delivers HP OSIFM Windows® and
Linux® in a Smart Component and HP OSIFM HP-UX as an HP-UX patch or as a Software Distributor
product.
HP OSIFM supports HP 9000 systems and pre-2010 HP Integrity systems.

HP Smart Update Manager (HP SUM) 7

HP OFM
HP OFM provides an intuitive, OS independent and menu driven procedure for firmware installation.
The installation procedure begins and ends in the offline state.
The HP OFM tool is delivered as an ISO image that must be burned onto a CD. The system must
be booted from the CD to invoke HP OFM. All interactions between HP OFM and the system occur
while the system is offline.
HP OFM supports pre-2010 HP Integrity systems.

Additional firmware installation options

EFI image
The EFI image solution is available on pre-2010 HP Integrity systems as an offline firmware update
process. The EFI image provides the user with written procedures which guide the user through
step-by-step instructions for copying the EFI image onto an EFI disk partition, shutting down the
system, and running the EFI image to update the firmware at the EFI Boot Manager.

iLO 3
IMPORTANT: HP recommends using HP SUM to perform firmware updates on your system.
Updating firmware using iLO 3 should only be used if you require a method that does not use a
networked Windows X86 or a Linux X86 workstation or laptop to update your server.
The iLO 3 management processor enables you to perform a firmware update on HP Integrity systems
introduced in 2010, including the BL860c i2, the BL870c i2, the BL890c i2, and the rx2800 i2
(See tables in the “HP Integrity and HP 9000 firmware update solutions” (page 5) section above).
For information on how to update firmware using iLO 3, see Appendix A (page 14).

MP-Initiated
For the pre-2010 cellular systems only, the ability to update all Firmware components from the MP
is still available.
The MP initiated package is used for this method.

Firmware update options comparison

Table 3 Firmware update options features and benefits
Installation HP SUM HP OSIFM HP OFM - EFI Image Insight MP textual OA
Options: ISO Image manager interface line SuperDome 2
ILO3 GUI/CLI

Features & All firmware All firmware All firmware All firmware All firmware All firmware All firmware
benefits - components components components components components- components- components-
Considerations Starting with Pre-2010 Pre-2010 Non cellular starting with Cellular Cellular
2010 systems only systems only pre 2010 2010 only ONLY ONLY
systems only non cellular Superdome 2
only

Name Bundle Version Version Version Bundle Version Bundle

displayed on Version number - number - number - (EFI Version number Version
the Web - Windows (HP-UX) (ISO image) image) Windows (MP-initiated) number
install format x86 (Linux) X86 (Windows
Linux x86 (Windows) Linux X86 x86)
(Linux x86)

Summary Update from Update from Update Update Update all Update all Update all
X86 OS- the OS Offline Offline Firmware firmware Firmware

8
Table 3 Firmware update options features and benefits (continued)
Installation HP SUM HP OSIFM HP OFM - EFI Image Insight MP textual OA
Options: ISO Image manager interface line SuperDome 2
ILO3 GUI/CLI

Target method method at components components components

system can using a CD the EFI from the ILO from the MP from On
be online or prompt console Board
offline Administrator

Systems Integrity HP 9000 and All Integrity All Integrity Integrity Entry Only on Integrity
supported Entry level Integrity entry-level entry-level level 2010 some Mid Cellular New
2010 entry-level systems systems generation and High generation
generation systems end systems

Requirements Windows No CD burner No Web server FTP server

X86 or Linux
X86 PC or
laptop

OS supported Runs from HP-UX OS OS OS OS OS

Windows Windows® independent independent independent independent independent
X86 and
Linux X86 Linux®
Regardless OpenVMS
of Target (2007)
OS- OS
independent

All firmware All All All All All All All

components

Interaction Minimal No Minimal Minimal Minimal Minimal Minimal

interaction or
minimal

Interface GUI & CLI Textual Menu driven Command GUI or CLI MP textual GUI
interface, line interface line
command
line, or GUI

Down time Reboot Minimal Most Most Downtime or Downtime or Downtime or

required for downtime downtime downtime not not not
some depending on depending depending on
firmware the Firmware on the the Firmware
components component(s) firmware component(s)
- Can delay being component(s) being
reboot. updated being updated
Target OS updated
can be
running, or
offline, or
power up or
down

Reboot to OS One reboot One reboot One reboot One reboot Reboot or not Reboot or Reboot or not
Automated Automated depending on not depending on
or delayed the Firmware depending the Firmware
component(s) on the component(s)
being firmware being
updated component(s) updated
being
updated

Ability to Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes Yes

remotely May be
manage remotely
Firmware managed

Firmware update options comparison 9

 Table 3 Firmware update options features and benefits (continued)
Installation HP SUM HP OSIFM HP OFM - EFI Image Insight MP textual OA
Options: ISO Image manager interface line SuperDome 2
ILO3 GUI/CLI

update but requires

process a physical
DVD-ROM
be inserted
in the target
system

Initiate Yes Yes No No Yes No No

Firmware
update on
multiple
systems

Enable Yes Yes No Yes Yes No No

automation

Leverage OS NA Yes No No No No No
Software
update
process

Knowledge HP SUM Software Recording EFI HP SUM or MP OA GUI

required distributor and booting commands ILO GUI/CLI commands
process for from CD commands
HP-UX, Smart
component
for
Windows®
and Linux®

Built in Prior to Prior to When When Minimal Prior to Minimal

firmware starting shutdown system is system is Firmware
verification firmware down down, while update and
update doing the prior to
actual activation,
Firmware MP tools
update check the
system state
at every step
of the
update.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I be notified when new firmware packages are available?
You can receive automatic notification when a new firmware package is posted on the HP web
site.
To receive the notification, you need to subscribe to alerts. This subscription is free of charge.
To subscribe, go to http://www.hp.com/go/myalerts.

Where can I download firmware packages?

Each firmware package is intended for specific systems.
Each country may have a different URL to reach the firmware packages, so a specific URL cannot
be provided. You can use the URL provided in the email notification or use the steps below.
1. Go to HP web site http://www.hp.com.
2. Click on the Support and Drivers tab.

10
 3. Choose Drivers and Software.
4. Enter the system type in the product field and press Enter. For example: BL870 i2.
5. Select your system from the list displayed, or skip to step 6 if no list is displayed.
6. Select the Operating System or Cross Operating System from the list.
7. Click Firmware - System or Firmware bundle.
8. Click the description link of the firmware package and it will display the release notes.
9. To download, click Download.

NOTE: To find the firmware package and tools that use HP OSIFM, click the specific OS link for
your OS (such as Windows, OpenVMS or HP-UX).
To find the firmware packages for offline firmware updates, clickCross Operating System.
To find the firmware package for your BL860c i2, BL870c i2, BL890c i2, or rx2800 i2, click the
link of the OS installed on your server. HP SUM runs on a networked Windows or Linux X86
workstation used to upgrade the firmware for your server.

How can I view the firmware version installed on my system?

You can use HP SUM to display the firmware version installed.
Also, on some platforms you can now view the firmware versions installed using the Firmware
Revision Instance Provider.
For more information and the list of supported platforms, see the latest Firmware Revision Instance
Provider data sheet or SFM Release Notes at:
http://www.hp.com/go/hpux-diagnostics-docs

When is a power down and reboot required after updating firmware?

A power cycle and reboot is usually necessary if the System Firmware or the FPGAs are updated.
Other firmware components such as ILO, OA, VC and PIC do not require a reboot of the target
system and the update and activation are done immediately.
"Offline" tools mean that the target system must be shutdown to perform the update.
"Online or OS- initiate able" means that the target system can be up and running to start the
firmware update. A power cycle and reboot may be necessary to activate the firmware.

NOTE: With HP SUM online, the reboot-activation can be delayed until a more convenient time.
This is the default starting with HP SUM version 5.0. After the next reboot, the Firmware will be
activated. If you look at the ILO GUI the firmware state will show as "pending".

Frequently Asked Questions 11

Feedback
As we are continue to improve the Firmware update process, we welcome your feedback on this
document and on the Firmware update process. Send feedback to:
TEAM-FWupdateFeedback@external.groups.hp.com

NOTE: If you encounter issues while performing a firmware update, please contact HP support.

12 Feedback
Glossary
EFI The Extensible Firmware Interface (EFI) defines the interfaces between the operating system and
the system Firmware and between the Firmware driver and the system Firmware. It is processor
architecture agnostic.
FPGA Field-programmable gate array. An integrated component of a server that can be updated with
new firmware by users after manufacturing.
HP SUM HP Smart Update Manager
This tool is not a product. It is included in the Firmware bundle. It includes a method to discover
new firmware bundle versions, lists installed firmware versions, provides an indication of what
needs to be updated, verifies dependencies, downloads the firmware bundle from the web if
desired, updates Firmware, and delays the reboot-when selected.
ISO ISO 9660, a standard published by the International Organization for Standardization, defines
a file system for CD-ROM media. It aims to support different computer operating systems such as
Microsoft Windows®, Mac OS, and systems that follow the UNIX specification, so that data may
be exchanged.
ISO 9660 file system images (ISO images) are a common way to electronically transfer the
contents of CD-ROMs. They often have the filename extension .iso and are commonly referred
to as "ISOs." An .iso file may be:
• A single ISO 9660 file system image
• A multi-track disc image with a table of contents

13
A Updating firmware using iLO 3
Files to use to update through iLO3
You must extract the firmware files from the HP Integrity firmware bundle before upgrading firmware
through iLO 3.
1. Download the HP Integrity firmware package. For information on how to download the
firmware bundle, see “Where can I download firmware packages?” (page 10).
2. Extract the files to a temporary directory.
3. Locate the Smart Component Bundle in the extracted folder. It will have a filename like
cp0XXXXX.exe
4. Extract the files to another temporary directory. It will contain files such as:

Example
(BL8x0c i2 version 26.11)
bl8x0c_ilorom_01_41_01.bin
bl8x0c_sysrom_01.80.bin
cp015356.xml
cp_data.xml
entry.bsh
The .bin files are the firmware bits which iLO requires for the firmware update.

How to update firmware through iLO 3

IMPORTANT: Updating firmware through iLO 3 is a two step process. You must update the iLO
firmware BEFORE you update the system firmware.
Do not interrupt the upgrade process. Allow sufficient time to complete each firmware upgrade
(up to 45 minutes total).
To complete the system firmware update, you must power off your server with the iLO pc command
or the server front panel power button. The system UID LED flashes while the firmware update is
in progress, which can be observed through the OA GUI or on the server itself. You cannot power
on the server while the update is in progress.

NOTE: For information on iLO 3 commands, see the HP Integrity iLO 3 Operations Guide at
http://www.hp.com/go/bizsupport.
1. Upload the firmware .bin files to an HTTP server that can be accessed by the iLO 3, or save
them on a USB flash memory stick and connect the USB stick to the OA USB port.
If you use the USB stick, the URL required in step 4 is in the format
http://<OA-ip_address>/media/usbkey/d1/<filename>
Where <OA-ip_address> is the IP address of the enclosure Onboard Administrator, and
<filename> is the name of the firmware .bin file.
2. Connect to the iLO CLI using a terminal emulator.
3. At the Command Menu prompt CM>, enter the command fw, followed by the command u for
URL.
4. Enter the full URL of the iLO firmware image file. For example, for a BL8x0 i2 system, the iLO
firmware image filename is in the format bl8x0c_ilorom_xx_xx_xx.bin.
5. Repeat steps 2-4 for the System firmware. For example, for a BL8x0 i2 system, the system
firmware image filename is in the format bl8x0c_sysrom_xx_xx.bin.
IMPORTANT: Monitor the system firmware update process using the fw command. To
complete the system firmware update, you must power off your server with the iLO pc command
or the server front panel power button.

14 Updating firmware using iLO 3

6. When the system firmware update is complete, power on the server and check the firmware
versions with the sysrev command.

How to update firmware through iLO 3 15