Innovative technologies in HP ProLiant Gen8 servers

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We let you import physical and power topology configuration updates into Insight Control power
management from other data center infrastructure management (DCIM) tools, such as HP Asset
Center. Before, you could import only initial configurations.
Firmware and system software management
In complex data centers, as well as environments with only a few servers, updates to deploy new
features and bug fixes can be disruptive. We are addressing this industry-wide need to reduce update
complexity and frequency with the release of HP Service Pack for ProLiant (SPP) and HP Smart Update
Manager version 5.0. Together, these new management tools give you more flexibility, less
downtime, and better overall operating stability. In addition, we provide 12 months of technical
support from the month that we release the SPP.
Service Pack for ProLiant
An SPP is a comprehensive release set of systems software (drivers, agents, utilities) and firmware for
all HP ProLiant SL, ML, and DL 300-, 500-, 700-, and 900-series servers and BL series servers, as
wells as select DL 100 series servers. Each SPP contains firmware and software components that have
undergone interdependency testing to ensure operational reliability. Each SPP supports deployment of
servers running Microsoft Windows, Linux, and VMware operating systems.
An SPP includes a PXE bootable ISO and six subsets broken out by operating systems and ProLiant
server types. Each subset includes software and firmware components required for specific users, so
you can have a customized solution and faster downloads.
We will typically release three to five SPPs per year to coincide with HP ProLiant server releases.
Occasionally, we will need to release firmware, software components, or both with critical fixes
outside an SPP release. These are known as hot fixes. You do not have to update your servers with a
hot fix unless it affects your server’s configuration.
Firmware, software, hot fixes, and associated Customer Advisories for HP ProLiant servers and HP
BladeSystem enclosure components will be available from the consolidated SPP download page
(www.hp.com/go/spp).
For a complete list of supported servers, review the HP Service Pack for ProLiant Server Support Guide
for each SPP release. For a list of the contents of the SPP, see the HP Service Pack for ProLiant Release
Notes or the contents report. All of these are available at http://www.hp.com/go/spp, and then click
the link for SPP Documentation.
HP Smart Update Manager 5.0
HP Smart Update Manager (HP SUM) 5.0 is the SPP deployment engine. HP SUM 5.0 has a simple,
intuitive user interface that guides you through repository definition, device discovery, analysis, and
updates. It provides comprehensive information on available updates, criticality, and
interdependencies. It simplifies the firmware and software update process. It lets you schedule online
updates, and improves reliability of the deployment and installation process. It is also scriptable
through its command line interface and input file functionalities.
HP SUM 5.0 does not permanently install agents or software on the target servers. It uses SOAP
(Simple Object Access Protocol) to push the update utilities from the HP SUM instance to the target
server to execute the discovery, inventory, and scheduling of the correct components to be
downloaded. After the update, HP SUM removes all software used during the update and creates a
log of everything that occurred.