Best Practices When Deploying Linux on the HP ProLiant DL980 (updated December 2012)

the zip file containing the ISO for the target Linux distribution, and mount the ISO as a loop back device for access. The

HP SUM utility used for installation is located in /hp/swpackages/. If a graphics terminal or a remote desktop

program (like VNC) is available, HP SUM can be launched in graphic mode by running ./hpsum from this directory.

Otherwise, the utility can be launched in console mode by running ./hpsum /s .

Note

Although full-featured and robust, HP SUM run in “console mode” is not

interactive and thus requires attention to proper command line options and

target bundle selections. Also note that the HP SUM executable must be run in

the /hp/swpackages directory to avoid installation problems.

Each HP SPP release contains driver and firmware components that, while qualified for compatibility on a given

Linux/DL980 combination, may or may not be appropriate in all situations. Consideration should be given to determine

which included packages are necessary for your server. HP works with the Linux community to incorporate HP drivers

directly into the upstream kernel. This ensures native functionality for the vast majority of HP devices using in-box

drivers from Linux distribution vendors. For Red Hat and SUSE Linux distributions, HP works with the vendors to provide

updates for major and minor releases. The very latest in device compatibility, feature additions, and bug fixes for

enterprise releases are provided by HP device drivers at hp.com and via HP SPP media.

While driver and firmware updates should be reviewed for applicability, HP encourages the installation of included

“value-add” components to optimize user experience with the HP ProLiant server. These include:

 HP ProLiant component health agents

 SNMP agents

 The Systems Management Homepage (SMH), which acts as a GUI for monitoring and managing your DL980 server (see

the “HP System Management Homepage (SMH)” section)

Read the Linux best practices using HP Service Pack for ProLiant (SPP) and Software Delivery Repository (SDR) :

h20000.www2.hp.com/bc/docs/support/SupportManual/c03479393/c03479393.pdf

HP System Management Homepage (SMH)

HP System Management Homepage (SMH) is a web-based interface that consolidates and simplifies single system

management for HP servers running Linux operating systems. Use it to view in-depth hardware configuration and status

data, performance metrics, system thresholds, diagnostics, and software version control information using a single

intuitive interface. HP SMH aggregates and displays data from agents and HP Web-enabled systems management

software, including the following:

 HP Insight Diagnostics

 Array Configuration Utility

 HP Software Version Control Agents