HP ProLiant G9 User Manual
HP Intelligent Provisioning User Guide for
HP ProLiant Gen9 Servers
Abstract
This document details how to access and use the HP Intelligent Provisioning software, including tasks such as installing OSs,
updating firmware, software, and drivers, and to performing some diagnostic tests. Intelligent Provisioning is included in the
optimized HP ProLiant server support software from the HP Service Pack for ProLiant (SPP). This document is intended for
administrators experienced in HP ProLiant server configuration.
HP Part Number: 794362-004
Published: June 2015
Edition: 1
© Copyright 2012, 2015 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
Confidential computer software. Valid license from HP required for possession, use or copying. Consistent with FAR 12.211 and 12.212, Commercial
Computer Software, Computer Software Documentation, and Technical Data for Commercial Items are licensed to the U.S. Government under
vendor's standard commercial license.
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.
Acknowledgments
Linux® is the registered trademark of Linus Torvalds in the U.S. and other countries.
Intel® and the Intel Inside logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries in the United States and other countries.
Microsoft®, Windows®, Hyper-V Server®, and Windows Server® are trademarks of the Microsoft group of companies.
UNIX® is a registered trademark of The Open Group.
Contents
1 Introduction...............................................................................................5
Overview................................................................................................................................5
Navigating Intelligent Provisioning.........................................................................................7
2 Completing initial configuration and registration tasks.....................................8
Step 1: Setting Intelligent Provisioning preferences.........................................................................8
Step 2: Activating Intelligent Provisioning...................................................................................10
Step 3: Registering for Insight Remote Support............................................................................10
HP remote support.............................................................................................................11
Data collected by Insight Remote Support..............................................................................12
Using Insight Remote Support with HP Proactive Care service...................................................13
Prerequisites......................................................................................................................13
Registering for Insight Online direct connect..........................................................................14
Registering for Insight Remote Support central connect............................................................16
Registering for Insight Remote Support after the initial configuration and registration tasks...........18
Reinstalling Intelligent Provisioning............................................................................................18
3 Configuring the server and installing an OS.................................................20
Available install methods, source media types, and formats supported for each OS family...............20
Using an HP SD card as a boot device.................................................................................21
Step 1: Hardware Settings.......................................................................................................21
Step 2: OS Selection...............................................................................................................23
Step 3: OS Information............................................................................................................27
OS information required for recommended installations..........................................................27
HP StoreVirtual VSA (Virtual Storage Appliance) software........................................................27
Deploying HP StoreVirtual VSA............................................................................................28
Entering VSA contact information.........................................................................................29
Completing VSA deployment...............................................................................................29
OS information required for customized installations...............................................................29
Step 4: Review.......................................................................................................................31
Checking installation parameters..............................................................................................31
Enabling the VID....................................................................................................................32
4 Performing maintenance............................................................................33
Downloading Active Health System data....................................................................................33
Updating firmware..................................................................................................................35
Determining the installed Intelligent Provisioning version..........................................................35
Updating Intelligent Provisioning and component firmware......................................................35
Setting Intelligent Provisioning Preferences..................................................................................36
Using Deployment Settings.......................................................................................................37
Creating a Deployment Settings package..............................................................................38
Using a Deployment Settings package to configure a single server...........................................38
Performing Deployment Settings package-level actions............................................................39
Entering or changing individual settings for a Deployment Settings package..............................40
Entering version information............................................................................................41
Entering firmware update settings....................................................................................41
Entering array configuration settings................................................................................41
Entering operating system information..............................................................................41
Entering Remote Support information...............................................................................42
Entering ROM settings...................................................................................................43
Entering system options..................................................................................................43
Using HP Smart Storage Administrator (HP SSA).........................................................................43
Configuration....................................................................................................................45
Contents 3
Diagnostics/SmartSSD........................................................................................................45
Using HP Insight Diagnostics....................................................................................................46
Using Quick Configs...............................................................................................................47
Intelligent Provisioning Quick Configs settings and corresponding UEFI System Utilities settings.....48
Using iLO Configuration Utility.................................................................................................49
Viewing iLO summary information........................................................................................49
Editing iLO Access Settings.................................................................................................50
Editing iLO Management Settings........................................................................................55
Modifying Network Settings................................................................................................58
Editing User Administration.................................................................................................64
Resetting iLO.....................................................................................................................67
Using HP Insight Remote Support..............................................................................................68
Unregistering from Insight Remote Support............................................................................69
Unregistering from Insight Online direct connect................................................................69
Unregistering from Insight Remote Support central connect..................................................69
Editing the web proxy settings.............................................................................................70
Using License Management.....................................................................................................70
Using the Erase Utility.............................................................................................................71
Using Secure Erase............................................................................................................72
5 Advanced topics......................................................................................73
Using a provided script to create an Intelligent Provisioning update mirror......................................73
Creating an Intelligent Provisioning update mirror.......................................................................73
Using the HP USB Key Utility....................................................................................................76
6 Troubleshooting........................................................................................81
Troubleshooting overview.........................................................................................................81
Troubleshooting general issues.................................................................................................81
UEFI Boot Mode failures caused by unsupported option cards.................................................81
Troubleshooting Windows-specific issues....................................................................................82
Troubleshooting Linux-specific issues..........................................................................................82
Troubleshooting VMware-specific issues.....................................................................................83
Customer advisories................................................................................................................84
7 Support and other resources......................................................................85
Contacting HP........................................................................................................................85
Access to HP support materials.................................................................................................85
HP Insight Remote Support.......................................................................................................85
Related information.................................................................................................................85
Websites..........................................................................................................................86
Typographic conventions.........................................................................................................86
8 Documentation feedback...........................................................................87
Glossary ...................................................................................................88
Index.........................................................................................................90
4 Contents
1 Introduction
Intelligent Provisioning is a single-server deployment tool embedded in HP ProLiant Gen8 and
Gen9 servers that replaces the SmartStart CDs and Smart Update Firmware DVD used with previous
generations of HP ProLiant servers. Intelligent Provisioning simplifies HP ProLiant server setup,
providing a reliable and consistent way to deploy HP ProLiant servers.
TIP: The information in this guide is for using Intelligent Provisioning with HP ProLiant Gen9
Servers. For information on using Intelligent Provisioning with HP ProLiant Gen8 Servers, see the
HP Intelligent Provisioning User Guide for HP ProLiant Gen8 Servers available on the HP Enterprise
Information Library (http://www.hp.com/go/intelligentprovisioning/docs).
Intelligent Provisioning assists with the OS installation process by preparing the system for installing
"off-the-shelf" and HP-branded versions of OS software and integrating optimized HP ProLiant
server support software from the HP Service Pack for ProLiant (SPP). SPP is a comprehensive systems
software and firmware solution for HP ProLiant servers and server blades and their enclosures. HP
ProLiant Gen9 servers are preloaded with a basic set of firmware and OS components, which are
installed along with Intelligent Provisioning 2.xx. After the server is running, use the Intelligent
Provisioning Firmware Update utility to install additional components and update any components
that have been outdated since the server was manufactured.
Intelligent Provisioning for HP ProLiant Gen9 Servers includes the following components:
• Critical boot drivers for ProLiant servers
• HP Active Health System (AHS)
• HP StoreVirtual Virtual Storage Appliance (VSA)
IMPORTANT:
• Although HP ProLiant Gen9 servers are pre-loaded with firmware and drivers, use Firmware
Update upon initial setup to ensure you have the latest versions. Using Firmware Update also
ensures you have the latest version of Intelligent Provisioning for the latest supported features,
such as Microsoft Windows 2012 installations.
• Do not update firmware if the version you are currently running is required for compatibility.
NOTE: HP Intelligent Provisioning does not function within multihomed configurations. A
multihomed host is one that is connected to two or more networks or has two or more IP addresses.
Intelligent Provisioning provides installation help for the following OSs:
• Microsoft Windows, 64-bit (except Windows Server 2008 HPC and Windows Server 2008
SP2)
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux
• SUSE Linux Enterprise Server
• VMware ESXi Custom Image
• VMware ESXi/vSphere Custom Image
Not all versions of an OS are supported. For more information about supported OSs for HP ProLiant
servers, see the HP Operating Systems and Virtualization Software Support for ProLiant Servers
website (http://www.hp.com/go/ossupport).
Overview
To access Intelligent Provisioning, power on or reboot the server and press F10 when prompted
during the server POST.
Overview 5
When accessing Intelligent Provisioning, one of the following happens:
• If this is your first time using Intelligent Provisioning, on-screen prompts guide you through
initial configuration and registration tasks. (“Completing initial configuration and registration
tasks” (page 8).)
• If Intelligent Provisioning was previously accessed and the initial configuration and registration
tasks are complete, the Intelligent Provisioning home page is displayed. In the home screen,
select one of the following menus to use Intelligent Provisioning:
◦ Configure and Install menu (“Configuring the server and installing an OS” (page 20))
NOTE: The Configure and Install option is not available for HP ProLiant SL, SE, and XL
Servers.
◦ Perform Maintenance menu (“Performing maintenance” (page 33))
To exit Intelligent Provisioning, reboot the server by clicking the power icon at the top right of the
page.
6 Introduction
Navigating Intelligent Provisioning
To navigate through and modify settings in this menu-driven interface, use the navigation icons
displayed at the top right-hand corner and bottom left- and right-hand corners of the Intelligent
Provisioning window.
These navigation icons are screen sensitive and are not displayed on all screens.
FunctionIcon nameItem
Returns to the Intelligent Provisioning home page, with the Configure
and Install and Perform Maintenance menus. This icon is available
Home
1
only after completing the initial configuration and registration tasks.
For more information, see “Completing initial configuration and
registration tasks” (page 8).
Opens the online help to the section about the current screen.Help
2
Displays system information, including the Intelligent Provisioning
version.
System Information
3
Powers down or reboots the server.Power
4
Returns you to the previous screen after validating and saving your
choices.
Previous
5
Takes you forward to the next screen after validating and saving your
choices.
Continue
6
Overview 7
2 Completing initial configuration and registration tasks
When using Intelligent Provisioning for the first time, follow the on-screen prompts to perform the
following tasks:
1. Setting Preferences (“Step 1: Setting Intelligent Provisioning preferences” (page 8))
2. Activating Intelligent Provisioning (“Step 2: Activating Intelligent Provisioning” (page 10))
3. Registering for Insight Remote Support (“Step 3: Registering for Insight Remote Support” (page
10))
NOTE:
• Storage controller information is not displayed in System Information in these initial three
configuration pages.
• The following applications are not installed automatically with Intelligent Provisioning. They
can be installed by running the SPP.
◦ HP ProLiant Agentless Management Service
◦ HP Network Configuration Utility for Windows
◦ HP Smart Storage Administrator (HP SSA)
◦ HP Lights-Out Online Configuration Utility
◦ HP Insight Diagnostics
Step 1: Setting Intelligent Provisioning preferences
The Set Preferences screen appears automatically the first time Intelligent Provisioning runs on a
server.
1. Choose your interface language and keyboard language.
2. Confirm that the system date and time are accurate.
To change the date or time, click the displayed date or time and use the displayed calendar
or clock to select the new values.
8 Completing initial configuration and registration tasks
3. Read the End User License Agreement (EULA).
• To continue using Intelligent Provisioning, click Accept.
Included in the EULA is a link for ancillary software, which contains a list of open source
and proprietary software developed or obtained through third parties. This link and all
other links in the EULA are not enabled, but can be accessed if entered into a browser.
• To cancel using Intelligent Provisioning, click Reboot to exit the utility and reboot the
server. Intelligent Provisioning remains accessible.
4. Enter network settings.
Select the active NIC from the list, and then choose from one of the following IP addressing
schemes:
• DHCP Auto-Configuration—HP recommends selecting DHCP to have IP addresses assigned
automatically to your server.
• IPv4 Static—Selecting IPv4 adds four new fields: the static IPv4 address, network mask,
gateway address, and DNS address.
• IPv6 Static—Selecting IPv6 adds two fields: the static IP address and the Gateway address.
5. Specify whether you are using a proxy. If you have a proxy on your network, you might need
to configure it for use with features that communicate across the network. If you choose Use
Proxy, enter a Proxy Address and Port.
6. Enter iLO network settings.
Select one of the following iLO network IP addressing schemes:
• DHCP Auto-Configuration—HP recommends selecting DHCP to have IP addresses assigned
automatically to your server.
• IPv4 Static—Selecting IPv4 adds four new fields: the static IPv4 address, network mask,
gateway address, and DNS address.
• Off—Selecting Off makes this server unavailable through iLO.
For more information about using iLO, see the HP iLO 4 User Guide on the HP website (http://
www.hp.com/go/ilo/docs).
7. Select a delivery option for System Software Updates for Intelligent Provisioning.
• HP website—HP recommends selecting this option to be prompted when updates are
available and download all software updates for your server from hp.com.
• HTTP/FTP—When prompted, enter an address in the URL field.
• Disable—Select this to disable automatic updates if you plan to update your system
software manually.
8. Select the correct Time Zone.
9. Select the desired System Boot Mode.
NOTE: Changes to the system boot mode are implemented during the OS installation process
or in the next POST.
10. Click the Continue right arrow to proceed automatically to “Step 2: Activating Intelligent
Provisioning” (page 10).
NOTE: To access this screen change preferences at a later time, open the Perform Maintenance
menus, and then click Intelligent Provisioning Preferences (“Setting Intelligent Provisioning
Preferences” (page 36)).
Step 1: Setting Intelligent Provisioning preferences 9
Step 2: Activating Intelligent Provisioning
When logging on to Intelligent Provisioning for the first time, the Activation screen is viewable after
the Setting Preferences screen.
To activate Intelligent Provisioning and make it available during server POST:
1. Select Activate (Recommended).
2. Click the Continue right arrow to proceed automatically to “Step 3: Registering for Insight
Remote Support” (page 10).
To disable Intelligent Provisioning:
1. Select Disable (Not Recommended).
2. Click the Continue right arrow. The server reboots. During POST, F10 is in red text on the
screen, indicating that the F10 key is disabled and Intelligent Provisioning is no longer
accessible.
To re-enable Intelligent Provisioning:
1. Reboot the server and, when prompted, press F9 to access the UEFI System Utilities.
2. From the System Utilities screen, select System Configuration→BIOS/Platform Configuration
(RBSU)→Server Security→Intelligent Provisioning (F10 Prompt) and press Enter.
3. Select Enabled.
For more information on UEFI System Utilities, see the HP UEFI System Utilities User Guide.
Step 3: Registering for Insight Remote Support
HP Insight Remote Support provides automatic submission of hardware events to HP to prevent
downtime and enable faster issue resolution. You can register directly to HP or through an Insight
RS Hosting Device.
10 Completing initial configuration and registration tasks
HP remote support
HP has developed a service and support solution that integrates the following:
• An online, personalized dashboard (HP Insight Online)
• 24x7 remote support with HP Insight Remote Support software and Insight Online direct
connect capability
Intelligent Provisioning includes the embedded Remote Support feature, which allows you to register
ProLiant servers for HP remote support.
When you use the embedded Remote Support feature, choose from the following configuration
options: Insight Online direct connect and Insight Remote Support central connect.
Insight Online direct connect
Register a server to communicate directly with Insight Online without the need to set up an Insight
Remote Support centralized Hosting Device in your local environment. Insight Online will be your
primary interface for remote support information.
Insight Online is an HP Support Center feature that enables you to view your remotely monitored
devices anywhere, anytime. It provides a personalized dashboard for simplified tracking of IT
operations and support information, including a mobile dashboard for monitoring when you are
on the go. For more information, see http://www.hp.com/go/insightonline/info.
Figure 1 (page 11) shows the direct connect configuration with a ProLiant server.
Figure 1 Insight Online direct connect
ProLiant
Firewall
Insight Remote Support central connect
Register a server to communicate with HP through an Insight Remote Support centralized Hosting
Device in your local environment. All configuration and service event information is routed through
the Hosting Device. This information can be viewed using the local Insight RS Console or the
web-based view in Insight Online (if it is enabled in Insight RS).
Figure 2 (page 12) shows the central connect configuration with a ProLiant server.
Step 3: Registering for Insight Remote Support 11
Figure 2 Insight Remote Support central connect
ProLiant
server
Firewall
Insight RS
Hosting Device
Data collected by Insight Remote Support
By registering for Insight Remote Support, you agree to send registration, service events,
configuration, and Active Health System data to HP. All data collected and sent to HP will be used
to provide remote support and quality improvement. The collected data is managed according to
the HP privacy statement, available at http://www.hp.com/go/privacy.
When a server is registered for Insight Remote Support, iLO or the Insight RS Hosting Device sends
Active Health System information to HP every 7 days, and sends configuration information every
30 days. The following information is sent to HP:
• Registration—During server registration, iLO collects data to uniquely identify the server
hardware. This data is sent to the Insight RS Hosting Device (Insight Remote Support central
connect) or directly to HP (Insight Online direct connect).
Registration data includes the following:
◦ Server model
◦ Serial number
◦ iLO NIC address
• Service events—When service events are recorded, iLO collects data to uniquely identify the
relevant hardware component. This data is sent to the Insight RS Hosting Device (Insight Remote
Support central connect) or directly to HP (Insight Online direct connect).
Service event data includes the following:
◦ Server model
◦ Serial number
◦ Part number of the hardware component
◦ Description, location, and other identifying characteristics of the hardware component
• Configuration—During data collection, iLO collects data to enable proactive advice and
consulting. This data is sent to the Insight RS Hosting Device (Insight Remote Support central
connect) or directly to HP (Insight Online direct connect).
Configuration data includes the following:
◦ Server model
◦ Serial number
◦ Processor model, speed, and utilization
12 Completing initial configuration and registration tasks
◦ Storage capacity, speed, and utilization
◦ Memory capacity, speed, and utilization
◦ Firmware/BIOS
◦ Installed drivers, services, and applications (if AMS is installed)
• Active Health System—During data collection, iLO collects data about the health, configuration,
and runtime telemetry of the server. This information is used for troubleshooting issues and
closed-loop quality analysis.
For information about the data that is collected, see the HP iLO 4 User Guide.
Using Insight Remote Support with HP Proactive Care service
HP Proactive Care service customers must register their ProLiant Gen8 and Gen9 servers for Insight
Remote Support central connect or Insight Online direct connect in order to receive the following
Proactive Care services features: Proactive Scan and Firmware/Software Version Report and
recommendations.
• The direct connect option requires the installation of AMS.
• The central connect option requires the installation of AMS or the SNMP/WBEM agents.
For more information about the Proactive Care service, see the following website: http://
www.hp.com/services/proactivecarecentral.
Prerequisites
Before registering, verify that the following prerequisites are met:
• A supported version of Intelligent Provisioning is installed.
Version 2.01 or later is required for Insight Online direct connect and Insight Remote Support
central connect registration.
For information about updating Intelligent Provisioning, see “Updating firmware” (page 35).
• iLO is configured as follows:
A supported version of the iLO firmware is installed.
To address third-party software vulnerabilities, HP recommends using iLO 4 2.03 or later.
◦
Version 2.00 or later is required for Insight Online direct connect and Insight Remote
Support central connect registration.
◦ The time zone is set in iLO.
◦ For Insight Online direct connect only: A DNS server is configured in iLO.
This is required for communication between iLO and Insight Online.
For information about configuring iLO, see the HP iLO 4 User Guide.
• For Insight Remote Support central connect only: Insight RS version 7.1 or later is installed
and configured on the Insight RS Hosting Device.
For Insight RS device support information, see the following website: http://
h17007.www1.hp.com/us/en/enterprise/servers/supportmatrix/insight_rs.aspx.
• For Insight Remote Support central connect only: The RIBCL protocol credentials for the HP
ProLiant server are configured in the Insight RS Console.
For more information about the RIBCL protocol credentials, see the HP Insight Remote Support
Installation and Configuration Guide.
Step 3: Registering for Insight Remote Support 13
Registering for Insight Online direct connect
Use this procedure to register an HP ProLiant server for Insight Online direct connect remote support.
When you register for Insight Online direct connect, you must complete steps in both Intelligent
Provisioning and the Insight Online portal.
1. Verify that the server meets the prerequisites for using the Insight Remote Support solution.
For more information, see “Prerequisites” (page 13).
2. Select Register this server directly to HP.
The page refreshes to show the Insight Online direct connect registration options.
3. Enter your HP Passport credentials in the HP Passport User ID and HP Passport Password
boxes.
IMPORTANT: In most cases, your HP Passport user ID is the same as the email address you
used during the HP Passport registration process. If you changed your user ID in the HP Support
Center, be sure to enter your user ID and not your email address.
4. Optional: Enter the following information if the HP ProLiant server uses a web proxy server to
access the Internet:
• Web Proxy Server
• Web Proxy Port
• Web Proxy Username
• Web Proxy Password
5. Click Register.
Clicking Register is Step 1 of a two-step registration process. Step 2 is completed in Insight
Online.
By registering, you agree to send registration, service events, configuration, and Active Health
System data to HP. For more information about the type of data collected, see “Data collected
by Insight Remote Support” (page 12). All data collected and sent to HP will be managed
14 Completing initial configuration and registration tasks
according to the HP Privacy Statement, which you can review at the following website: http://
www.hp.com/go/privacy.
When Step 1 is completed, the following message appears:
Step 1 of 2: Completed using HP Passport Credentials: <HP Passport
User ID>.
Step 2 of 2: Complete Registration in HP Insight Online
(www.hp.com/go/InsightOnline).
Please confirm that you have completed the registration process in
HP Insight Online.
Allow up to 5 minutes for your registration request to be fully processed.
6. Navigate to the Insight Online website at http://www.hp.com/go/InsightOnline, and then
log in with your HP Passport credentials.
7. Follow the onscreen instructions in Insight Online, and provide your site, contact, and partner
information so that HP can deliver service for your HP ProLiant server.
TIP: To streamline the process when you have multiple servers to register, complete Step 1
for all of the servers, and then complete Step 2 for all of the servers during one Insight Online
session.
For detailed instructions, see the HP Insight Remote Support and Insight Online Setup Guide
for HP ProLiant Servers and HP BladeSystem c-Class Enclosures.
8. Return to the Insight Remote Support page in Intelligent Provisioning, and then click Confirm.
A message similar to the following appears:
Successfully registered!
HP Passport User ID used to register this server: <HP Passport User
ID>.
Step 3: Registering for Insight Remote Support 15
9. Click the Continue right arrow to proceed to the Intelligent Provisioning home page (“Overview”
(page 5)).
10. To ensure successful Insight Remote Support operation, verify the following after you install
the system software:
• Optional: AMS is installed on the server and the server operating system is running.
HP recommends installing AMS. For more information, see the HP iLO 4 User Guide.
AMS is installed automatically if you use the Intelligent Provisioning Recommended
installation method for Windows installation.
HP Proactive Care services customers only: AMS installation is required in order to receive
the following HP Proactive Care services features: Proactive Scan and Firmware/Software
Version Report and recommendations.
• If you did not install AMS, ensure that the server name is displayed correctly in Insight
Online and Insight RS.
AMS is one way in which iLO can obtain the server name. If iLO cannot obtain the server
name, the displayed server name in Insight Online and Insight RS is derived from the
server serial number.
Do one of the following:
◦ For Windows systems only, start the operating system. Insight Online and Insight RS
will use the Windows computer name to identify the server.
◦ Configure the Server Name on the Administration→Access Settings page in the iLO
web interface.
The server name is displayed in Insight Online and Insight RS, and can be viewed
by HP Support and your authorized service provider, reseller/distributor, and installer.
To protect your privacy, do not use sensitive information in the name of an HP ProLiant
server.
• The HP ProLiant iLO 3/4 Channel Interface Driver is installed.
This driver is installed automatically if you use the Intelligent Provisioning Recommended
installation method for Windows installation.
This driver is standard for SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 11 and 12 and Red Hat 6 and
7.
For more information, see the HP iLO 4 User Guide.
11. Optional: If you want to receive email alerts about system events, configure AlertMail on the
Administration→Management→AlertMail page in iLO.
For more information, see the HP iLO 4 User Guide.
Registering for Insight Remote Support central connect
Use this procedure to register an HP ProLiant server for Insight Remote Support central connect.
1. Verify that the server meets the prerequisites for using Insight Remote Support.
For more information, see “Prerequisites” (page 13).
2. Select Register this server through an HP Insight Remote Support centralized hosting device.
The page refreshes to show the Insight Remote Support central connect registration options.
16 Completing initial configuration and registration tasks
3. Enter the Insight RS Hosting Device host name or IP address and port number.
The default port is 7906.
4. Click Register.
By registering, you agree to send registration, service events, configuration, and Active Health
System data to HP. For more information about the type of data collected, see “Data collected
by Insight Remote Support” (page 12). All data collected and sent to HP will be managed
according to the HP Privacy Statement, which you can review at the following website: http://
www.hp.com/go/privacy.
A message similar to the following appears:
Successfully registered! Insight Remote Support hosting server:
<cms.mycompany.com>.
where <cms.mycompany.com> is the Insight RS Hosting Device host name or IP address.
5. Click the Continue right arrow to proceed to the Intelligent Provisioning home page (“Overview”
(page 5)).
Step 3: Registering for Insight Remote Support 17
6. To ensure successful Insight Remote Support operation, verify the following after you install
the system software:
• Optional: AMS is installed on the server and the server operating system is running.
HP recommends installing AMS. For more information, see the HP iLO 4 User Guide.
AMS is installed automatically if you use the Intelligent Provisioning Recommended
installation method for Windows installation.
HP Proactive Care services customers only: AMS installation is required in order to receive
the following HP Proactive Care services features: Proactive Scan and Firmware/Software
Version Report and recommendations.
• If you did not install AMS, ensure that the server name is displayed correctly in Insight
Online and Insight RS.
AMS is one way in which iLO can obtain the server name. If iLO cannot obtain the server
name, the displayed server name in Insight Online and Insight RS is derived from the
server serial number.
Do one of the following:
◦ For Windows systems only, start the operating system. Insight Online and Insight RS
will use the Windows computer name to identify the server.
◦ Configure the Server Name on the Administration→Access Settings page in the iLO
web interface.
The server name is displayed in Insight Online and Insight RS, and can be viewed
by HP Support and your authorized service provider, reseller/distributor, and installer.
To protect your privacy, do not use sensitive information in the name of an HP ProLiant
server.
• The HP ProLiant iLO 3/4 Channel Interface Driver is installed.
This driver is installed automatically if you use the Intelligent Provisioning Recommended
installation method for Windows installation.
This driver is standard for SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 11 and 12 and Red Hat 6 and
7.
For more information, see the HP iLO 4 User Guide.
Registering for Insight Remote Support after the initial configuration and registration
tasks
If you want to register this server for Insight Remote Support after the initial configuration and
registration tasks:
1. Select Register Later on the registration page.
2. Click the Continue right arrow.
When you are ready to register this server for Insight Remote Support, navigate to the Perform
Maintenance screen and select HP Insight Remote Support.
For registration instructions, see “Registering for Insight Online direct connect” (page 14) and
“Registering for Insight Remote Support central connect” (page 16).
Reinstalling Intelligent Provisioning
You can reinstall Intelligent Provisioning instead of using the Firmware Update Utility to ensure you
have the latest version. To reinstall Intelligent Provisioning:
18 Completing initial configuration and registration tasks
1. Download the latest Intelligent Provisioning ISO from the HP Intelligent Provisioning website
(http://www.hp.com/go/intelligentprovisioning).
2. Boot to the Intelligent Provisioning recovery media. The installation automatically begins.
3. When the update is complete, the server automatically reboots.
Reinstalling Intelligent Provisioning 19
3 Configuring the server and installing an OS
To use Intelligent Provisioning to configure the hardware and install an OS on your HP ProLiant
server, follow the on-screen prompts in the Configure and Install menu to complete the tasks in the
following four screens:
• “Step 1: Hardware Settings” (page 21)
• “Step 2: OS Selection” (page 23)
• “Step 3: OS Information” (page 27)
• “Step 4: Review” (page 31)
IMPORTANT:
• HP ProLiant SL, SE, and XL Servers do not support operating system installations with Intelligent
Provisioning. These servers do support the maintenance features described in “Performing
maintenance” (page 33).
• Special characters can be used in passwords only. Do not use special characters in any other
data fields.
Available install methods, source media types, and formats supported for
each OS family
Each Configure and Install screen provides a guided method of configuring the server, installing
an OS, and updating the system software. The following table shows the install methods, source
media types, and formats supported for each OS family.
IMPORTANT: Intelligent Provisioning only supports original, licensed vendor media or HP-Branded
versions. Demo or developer versions of the OS, or media which has been modified to slipstream
custom software or service packs, are not supported and may not be correctly identified by the
installation process.
ManualCustomized install methodRecommended install method
DiscUSBFTPNetwork
Share
DiscUSBFTPNetwork
Share
Disc
ISO VM
ISO
Flat ISO—Flat ISOISO VM
ISO
Flat ISO—Flat ISOISO VM
ISO
Microsoft
Windows
(64–bit)
ISO VM
ISO
Flat ISOFlatFlat ISOISO VM
ISO
Flat ISOFlatFlat ISOISO VM
ISO
VMware
ESXi
ISO VM
ISO
——————Flat ISOISO VM
ISO
SUSE
Linux
Enterprise
Server
ISO VM
ISO
—————Flat—ISO VM
ISO
Red Hat
Enterprise
Linux
Formats:
• Flat—Standard folder structure
• ISO—ISO or UDF file
• VM ISO—iLO Virtual Media ISO
20 Configuring the server and installing an OS
• kISO—Kernel update ISO
• VM NET—iLO Virtual Media folder share
• VM USB—iLO Virtual Media USB
For more information about supported operation systems, software, and firmware, see the links in
“Introduction” (page 5).
Using an HP SD card as a boot device
With Intelligent Provisioning, you can use an HP SD card as a target for deploying an OS. The
following HP-supplied SD cards are supported as an alternative OS boot device:
• HP 32GB SD Enterprise Mainstream Flash Media Kit (700136-B21)
• HP 32GB microSD Enterprise Mainstream Flash Media Kit (700139–B21)
NOTE: You cannot perform an OS install on an SD card when there is a hard disk connected to
the server.
Either of these SD cards can be used as an alternative to hard drive or solid state drive storage
for deploying an OS on HP ProLiant servers. Using an SD card as a target for deploying an OS
provides the following advantages:
• Deploys OSs to diskless servers and SAN storage
• Uses less power than traditional drives
• Reduces temperature, decreasing throttling and A/C costs
• Reduces vibration, particularly in environments with high G-force
• Frees drive bays for other uses
NOTE: SD Boot does not support deployment installations. See “Using Deployment Settings”
(page 37).
You can find information about using an SD card with Intelligent Provisioning in “Step 3: OS
Information” (page 27).
Step 1: Hardware Settings
In the first configuration screen, enter global settings to control power use, software updates, and
array configuration.
Step 1: Hardware Settings 21
IMPORTANT: If unsupported media devices are connected at this point, an error appears. To
resolve the issue, remove the unsupported media device, and make sure you have network share
information available, or a disk or ISO, or USB drive installed when prompted.
1. Select the power management System Profile to use. These profiles set a basic policy for
performance versus power usage without having to configure individual settings through the
UEFI System Utilities menus.
The current (or a recommended) profile is displayed, but to change the settings, the options
include:
• No Change
• Balanced Power and Performance
• Minimum Power Usage
• Maximum Performance
The suggested default varies. If Intelligent Provisioning detects existing settings on the server
that match one of these profiles, that profile is displayed in the System Profiles field. If Intelligent
Provisioning detects settings that do not match one of the profiles, No Change is displayed in
this field.
For more information about these options, see “Using Quick Configs” (page 47).
2. Select whether to perform a software update before the OS is installed.
3. Enter array configuration specifications for the server's storage subsystem.
Options include:
• Keep Current Setting—Uses existing settings to maintain any previously constructed arrays.
Use this option when reprovisioning a server. This option is displayed only when valid
logical drives are present on the server. For new server installations, this option is not
displayed.
22 Configuring the server and installing an OS
NOTE: Secure Boot is only supported on UEFI-based servers in UEFI Boot Mode running
Windows 2012 and Windows 2012 R2.
• Recommended Settings—The HP Smart Storage Administrator polls any drives that are
present and builds an appropriate array for those drives. For example, if two drives are
connected to the Smart Array card, the setup defaults to RAID 1. HP recommends selecting
this option when initially provisioning a server.
CAUTION: Selecting this choice resets all disks (and arrays, if any are present). Because
no arrays or disk data are present during a first-time setup, this does not affect your server.
However, if you choose this option when reprovisioning your server, you can lose your
data and any disk arrays. For more information about the HP Smart Storage Administrator,
see the HP Smart Storage Administrator User Guide (http://www.hp.com/support/
SSA_UG_en).
• Customize—Opens the HP Smart Storage Administrator (after clicking the Continue right
arrow) and enables you to choose array settings. For more information about using the
HP SSA, see “Using HP Smart Storage Administrator (HP SSA)” (page 43).
NOTE: Some controllers other than HP Smart Array controllers can be configured through
HP Smart Storage Administrator.
4. Select the Target Controller you want to use from the drop-down menu if more than one is
available.
5. Confirm Fibre Channel and iSCSI configuration settings.
If discovered, the Fibre Channel and iSCSI information is displayed at the bottom of the screen.
Intelligent Provisioning supports installation to iSCSI targets and to shared storage devices.
Before starting an installation, the devices need to be set up outside of Intelligent Provisioning,
using options that appear during POST, or through their setup applications. In addition, the
boot controller order needs to be set correctly in the UEFI System Utilities before installation.
6. Confirm SD Card Configuration settings. If a supported SD card is installed, the device details
appear.
7. Click the Continue right arrow.
Step 2: OS Selection
In this screen, specify the OS family to install and the installation method.
Step 2: OS Selection 23
IMPORTANT: If unsupported media devices are connected at this point, the following error
appears: There are no physical disks attached. To resolve the issue, remove the
unsupported media device, and make sure you have network share information available, or a
disk or ISO, or USB drive installed when prompted.
1. Select an OS family.
Available supported OS families include:
• Microsoft Windows
• Red Hat Linux
• SUSE Linux Enterprise Server
• VMware ESXi/vSphere Custom Image
If the OS you want to install is not listed, it might not be supported for use with your controller
model, or you might need to update HP ProLiant firmware. For information about supported
OSs and OS drivers, see the HP Operating Systems and Virtualization Software Support
website (http://www.hp.com/go/supportos).
NOTE: If updates are available, a message appears on the screen directing you to the
proper steps for incorporating them into Intelligent Provisioning.
IMPORTANT:
• When installing VMware, download an HP Custom ISO before the installation from the
HP website (http://www.hp.com/go/esxidownload). Ethernet port 0 must be active.
2. Select an installation method.
Depending on the OS family selected, installation choices vary, including the suggested default.
For more information, see “Available install methods, source media types, and formats
supported for each OS family” (page 20).
24 Configuring the server and installing an OS
Options may include:
• Recommended—Uses HP-defined defaults to configure the server software and firmware,
partition storage, and install the OS with HP drivers. HP recommends selecting this option
for first-time server setup. For more information about recommended installation options,
see “OS information required for recommended installations” (page 27).
NOTE: AMS and the HP ProLiant iLO 3/4 Channel Interface Driver are installed
automatically if you use the Recommended installation method for Windows installation.
The HP ProLiant iLO 3/4 Channel Interface Driver is standard for SUSE Linux Enterprise
Server 11 and 12 and Red Hat 6 and 7.
• Customized—Enables you to individually configure the options for server software and
firmware updates, storage partitioning, and OS installation with HP drivers. Select this
option if you have specific parameters that differ from the recommended settings, such
as for storage partitioning. For more information about customized installation options,
see “OS information required for customized installations” (page 29).
• Manual—Installs the OS from a custom OS CD/DVD. After selecting this option, insert
the provided CD/DVD so that the server can reboot from the OS CD/DVD.
When using the Manual Installation method, the Virtual Install Disk (VID) is disabled by
default. If you enable VID, a USB mass-storage device appears with the name of the VID
during the OS installation process. The VID contains a limited set of storage and networking
drivers, so any required SAS/iSCSI/FCoE adapter can be loaded in the event that the
OS disc does not have the appropriate drivers. Because the VID and the custom CD/DVD
might not contain all of the needed drivers, you might need to create a driver CD/DVD
to ensure that all required drivers are installed and that the OS can install successfully.
For information about creating a driver disk, see the OS installation guide. For information
on enabling the VID, see “Enabling the VID” (page 32).
In all Linux environments, add dd (Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6), inst.dd (Red Hat
Enterprise Linux 7), dud=1 (SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 11 and 12) on the command
line to provide a driver location only when installing the OS in special storage devices
such as iSCSI and FC LUNs.
In Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6 installations with a SATA controller, the selected Install
Target Device must be a drive connected to the lowest bay number.
The following table contains information about Linux boot driver parameters.
ExampleSolutionIssueLinux edition
updatedir=
/linux/suse/i386–sles11.2
To access the SP2
drivers in the VID,
include the
Because of a naming
convention conflict
between SUSE Linux
SUSE Linux
Enterprise Server
broken_modules=ahci for
sles11, sles12
updatedir kernel
parameter for the
appropriate OS.
Enterprise Server 11
SP1 and SP2, the
SP2 drivers are
located in a directory
that the SUSE
installer does not
see.
blacklist=ahci for rhel6
modprobe.blacklist=ahci for
rhel7
Enter the following
boot parameters to
prevent the driver from
taking over the
controller.
Because the AHCI
driver attaches
before the HP
Dynamic Smart Array
B140i Controller
Red Hat Enterprise
Linux 6
drivers, the logical
driver is not
recognized.
Step 2: OS Selection 25
3. Select the source media from which you are installing the OS.
Media types include:
• Physical DVD or iLO virtual media (default)—A standard bootable OS DVD/CD-ROM
media, and virtual media through iLO.
NOTE: Select this option when using a DVD drive connected to a USB port.
• Microsoft Windows or Samba Network Share—The network share that contains the OS
installation files.
• FTP—The FTP server that contains OS installation files.
NOTE: The FTP media option is supported for VMware and Red Hat Enterprise Linux
only.
• USB Key—The USB flash drive that contains the OS installation files
NOTE: Only FAT-formatted USB drives are supported. For OS image files that cannot
copy to the USB unless it is NTFS-formatted, use a different source media, such as a DVD,
network share, or FTP server.
4. If you are installing from a CD/DVD disk or USB drive, insert the media.
5. Click the Continue right arrow to go to the next screen, which varies, depending on the media
type.
Insert the disc or USB media, or enter the information needed to access the installation files
on the network share or FTP site. Depending on the media type, supply the following
information.
Required information/actionMedia type
Insert the disc.Disc
Enter network connection information, including:Network share
• Server Name or IP Address—Server name or IP address of the server that
hosts the OS contents. If a server name is specified, a DNS entry is also
required.
• Share Name—The name of the network share using Server Message Block
(SMB) protocol that hosts the OS contents.
• Network Share User—User name used to access the network share.
• Network Share Password (not encrypted)—Password for the user name
used to access the network share.
Enter network connection information, including:
• Server Name or IP Address—FTP server name or IP address of the server
that hosts the OS contents. FTP support requires anonymous access to the
FTP server and does not support connecting to an FTP server through a
proxy.
IMPORTANT: When entering an FTP path, remove spaces and punctuation.
The FTP server directory structure cannot contain spaces or special characters
(including punctuation).
FTP
Insert the USB drive and browse to the location of the OS installation files on
the USB drive. Then, double-click the ISO file.
USB
6. Click the Continue right arrow to proceed to the next screen in the automated process.
26 Configuring the server and installing an OS
Step 3: OS Information
In this step the necessary OS information is specified.
OS information required for recommended installations
Depending on the OS you are installing, you may be prompted to enter or confirm the following
information:
1. Select the OS family and edition.
• When installing Microsoft Hyper-V Server 2012, you must select the Windows 2012 OS
family and the Hyper-V OS.
• When installing Microsoft Hyper-V Server 2012 R2, you must select Windows 2012 R2
as OS family and the Hyper-V OS.
2. Select the OS and the keyboard language.
3. Enter the product key. (Not displayed for all OSs)
This is the Product Identification (Product ID) number. If you do not enter a product key and
one is required, the OS installation pauses indefinitely, prompting you to enter the key. The
installation resumes after you enter the product key.
4. Enter the computer name (optional) and an administrator password (optional).
5. Click the Continue right arrow to proceed to “Step 4: Review” (page 31).
HP StoreVirtual VSA (Virtual Storage Appliance) software
During OS installation you can deploy HP StoreVirtual VSA, which enables you to create fully
featured shared storage on a virtualized server. The HP StoreVirtual VSA software is a virtual
machine that supports hypervisor environments. VSA provides shared storage for both VMware
ESX / ESXi and Microsoft Hyper-V hypervisor environments. When deploying VSA, you can retrieve
your free 1 TB license key and activate it.
Step 3: OS Information 27
NOTE:
• The deployment of HP StoreVirtual VSA is supported only during recommended and custom
installations for Windows, and only during custom installations for VMware. It is not supported
during manual installation.
• The server must be connected to a network to deploy HP StoreVirtual VSA.
HP StoreVirtual VSA is supported with vSphere or Microsoft Hyper-V on the following operating
systems:
• VMware ESXi 5.5 Update 2
• Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2+SP1
• Microsoft Windows Server 2012
• Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2
For more information on HP StoreVirtual VSA, including instructional videos and free console
management software, see the HP website at http://www.hp.com/go/vsa1TB.
Deploying HP StoreVirtual VSA
From the HP Software-Defined Storage page you can deploy HP StoreVirtual VSA.
1. Select a VSA type.
If you do not want to deploy the HP StoreVirtual VSA software, select Continue without
deploying VSA and click the Continue right arrow. A screen is displayed indicating VSA will
not be installed. Click the Continue right arrow to continue.
VSA validation begins. If VSA is not available, click the Continue right arrow to confirm OS
selections.
2. Enter an optional VSA Host Name.
3. Select the VSA Network type (DHCP or Static).
4. If Static is selected, enter the associated network parameters.
5. Click the Continue right arrow.
28 Configuring the server and installing an OS
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