Technical white paper Implementing Microsoft Windows Server 2012 Essentials on HP ProLiant servers Integration note Table of contents Introduction 2 Windows Server 2012 Essentials overview 2 Recommended system configuration 3 Recommended ProLiant servers 4 Recommended ProLiant server platform options Software and drivers Storage options NICs 5 5 5 6 Pre-installation tasks 7 Installing the Windows Server 2012 Essentials OS ProLiant Gen8 servers ProLiant G7 servers 7 7 8 Where to get drivers I
Introduction This integration note describes the requirements for running Microsoft Windows Server 2012 Essentials on HP ProLiant servers and provides guidance for installing the OS on ProLiant servers. Microsoft Windows Server 2012 Essentials is the latest version of Windows Server 2012 Small Business Server (SBS) Essentials. It protects your business data without limiting your access to it.
For more information or to download Windows Server 2012 Essentials, see the Windows Server 2012 Essentials Home Page at www.microsoft.com/en-us/server-cloud/windows-server-essentials/default.aspx. Recommended system configuration Microsoft has established the recommended system configurations listed in this section for Windows Server 2012 Essentials installations. Carefully review this document for the recommended system configurations and possible issues.
Recommended ProLiant servers Table 2 lists the recommended ProLiant servers and minimum ROM version required to run Windows Server 2012 Essentials. You can download ROM updates from the HP Service Pack for ProLiant (HP SPP), which is available at www.hp.com/go/spp or the HP Support Center at www.hp.com/go/support.
Recommended ProLiant server platform options Before you install Windows Server 2012 Essentials on a ProLiant server, review the following sections for information on the ProLiant server platform options for which drivers are available and known to work. Software and drivers The HP storage option and NIC drivers are available on the HP SPP 2012.10.0 (or later), which is available at www.hp.com/go/spp. Storage options We support the storage options listed in Table 3 with Windows Server 2012 Essentials.
NICs We support the NICs listed in Table 4 with Windows Server 2012 Essentials. Table 4 Recommended ProLiant NICs NIC Driver Location Download Windows media HP Intelligent Provisioning 1.30 HP SPP 2012.10.0 B57ND60A.SYS BXVBDA.SYS E1R63X64.SYS E1E6332E.SYS NC112i/T E1Q63X64.SYS CN1000E BE2ND62.SYS NC331FLR* NC331T NC331i NC107i NC150T NC320i/T NC326i NC1020 NC7761 NC7771 NC7781 NC7782 NC382i/T BXND60A.
Pre-installation tasks To prepare for installation, ensure that you complete the following tasks: • Make sure that your server and components are recommended for Windows Server 2012: – Select a server from the recommended system platforms listed in the “Recommended ProLiant servers” section. – Make sure that the server has a DVD drive (either installed or attached to the server receiving the installation). Note that you need a license key to use iLO virtual media with HP ProLiant ML or DL servers.
To install the OS and the required software and firmware, use the following steps in conjunction with the Intelligent Provisioning User Guide. The Intelligent Provisioning User Guide provides screen shots and specific steps and guidelines for the installation. 2. Boot the server, and press the F10 key during POST. If you want to check the Intelligent Provisioning version, click the System Information button on the Intelligent Provisioning screen. Select Configure and Install. 3. 4. 5. 6.
Installing components from the HP SPP For instructions on how to download and install HP SPP 2012.10.0 (or later) follow the steps in the Release Notes, which is available at www.hp.com/go/spp/documentation. When you get to the Source Selection screen, continue with the following steps to deploy the updates: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Verify that the directory path in the Directory field has the location of the smart components from the extracted Supplement, and then select Start Inventory.
Known issues and workarounds This section outlines a few potential issues that you may encounter with the Windows Server 2012 Essentials OS and ProLiant servers. We are actively working to resolve all the issues. We will update this paper as additional information becomes available. Table 5 lists known issues with ProLiant servers and Windows Server 2012 Essentials. Details The Integrated Management Log (IML) does not open.
Details The .NET Framework 3.5 does not automatically install Description .NET Framework 3.5, which SQL Server requires, will not install automatically by selecting the appropriate box under Features in Server Manager. Workaround/ Solution To work around this issue, install .NET Framework 3.5 as follows: 1. Insert the Windows Server 2012 RC installation DVD into an optical drive. In these steps, we are referring to the optical drive as D:\. 2. Create a temporary directory on the hard drive, C:\temp. 3.
Details Emulex online firmware updates do not support the HP CN1000E Dual Port Converged Network Adapter and HP NC550SFP Dual Port 10GbE Server Adapter Description Workaround/ Solution Unless the HP CN1000E Dual Port Converged Network Adapter has firmware version 4.0.360.15, the Emulex online firmware update components will not update the firmware. To update the HP CN1000E Dual Port Converged Network Adapter, obtain the Firmware Image for Offline Update (One Connect ISO).
