HP Scripting Toolkit for Windows and Linux User Manual

HP Intelligent Provisioning User Guide for HP ProLiant Gen8 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: 679795-009 Published: September 2014 Edition: 2

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

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®, and Windows Server® are U.S. registered trademarks of the Microsoft group of companies.

UNIX® is a registered trademark of The Open Group.

1 Introduction...............................................................................................5

2 Using Intelligent Provisioning........................................................................6

Overview................................................................................................................................6

Navigating Intelligent Provisioning.........................................................................................7

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 overview...........................................................................................11

Data collected by Insight Remote Support.........................................................................11

Using Insight Remote Support with HP Proactive Care service..............................................12

Prerequisites.................................................................................................................13

Registering for Insight Online direct connect.....................................................................13

Registering for Insight Remote Support central connect.......................................................16

Registering for Insight Remote Support after the initial configuration and registration tasks......17

Configuring the server and installing an OS...............................................................................18

Available install methods, source media types, and formats supported for each OS family...........18

Step 1: Hardware Settings...................................................................................................20

Step 2: OS Selection..........................................................................................................21

Step 3: OS Information.......................................................................................................26

OS information required for recommended installations......................................................26

HP StoreVirtual VSA (Virtual Storage Appliance) software...................................................27

Deploying HP StoreVirtual VSA.......................................................................................27

Entering VSA contact information....................................................................................28

Completing VSA deployment..........................................................................................28

OS information required for customized installations..........................................................29

Step 4: Review..................................................................................................................30

Checking installation parameters.........................................................................................31

Performing maintenance..........................................................................................................33

Active Health System download...........................................................................................34

Firmware Update...............................................................................................................35

Determining the installed Intelligent Provisioning version.....................................................35

Updating Intelligent Provisioning and component firmware..................................................35

Intelligent Provisioning Preferences.......................................................................................36

Deployment Settings...........................................................................................................37

Creating a Deployment Settings package (overview)..........................................................38

Using a Deployment Settings package to configure a single server (overview).......................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.........................................................................42

Entering Remote Support information...........................................................................42

Entering ROM settings...............................................................................................43

Entering system options.............................................................................................43

HP Smart Storage Administrator (HP SSA).............................................................................44

Configuration...............................................................................................................44

Diagnostics/SmartSSD...................................................................................................45

Insight Diagnostics.............................................................................................................46

Quick Configs...................................................................................................................47

Contents 3

Intelligent Provisioning Quick Configs settings and corresponding RBSU settings....................48

iLO configuration...............................................................................................................50

Viewing iLO summary information...................................................................................50

Editing iLO Access Settings.............................................................................................51

Editing iLO Management Settings....................................................................................55

Modifying Network Settings...........................................................................................58

Editing User Administration.............................................................................................64

Resetting iLO................................................................................................................68

HP Insight Remote Support..................................................................................................68

Unregistering from Insight Remote Support........................................................................69

..............................................................................................................................69

Unregistering from Insight Remote Support central connect.............................................69

Editing the web proxy settings.........................................................................................70

License Management..........................................................................................................70

Erase...............................................................................................................................71

Reinstalling Intelligent Provisioning............................................................................................72

3 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

4 Troubleshooting........................................................................................80

Troubleshooting overview.........................................................................................................80

General issues.......................................................................................................................80

Windows-specific issues..........................................................................................................80

Linux-specific issues.................................................................................................................81

VMware-specific issues............................................................................................................82

Customer advisories................................................................................................................82

5 Support and other resources......................................................................83

Contacting HP........................................................................................................................83

Related information.................................................................................................................83

Websites..........................................................................................................................83

Prerequisites...........................................................................................................................84

Typographic conventions.........................................................................................................84

HP Insight Remote Support.......................................................................................................84

HP Insight Online...................................................................................................................85

6 Documentation feedback...........................................................................86

Glossary ...................................................................................................87

Index.........................................................................................................90

4 Contents

1 Introduction

Intelligent Provisioning is a single-server deployment tool embedded in HP ProLiant Gen8 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.

• Intelligent Provisioning assists with the OS installation process by preparing the system for

installing "off-the-shelf" and HP-branded versions of leading 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 Gen8 servers are preloaded with a basic set of firmware and OS components, which are installed along with Intelligent Provisioning. 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.

Although HP ProLiant Gen8 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. For Microsoft Windows 2012 installations, you must run Intelligent Provisioning version 1.30 or later.

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.

IMPORTANT: Do not update firmware if the version you are currently running is required

for compatibility.

• Intelligent Provisioning provides maintenance-related tasks through Perform Maintenance

Options features.

• 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 ESX and 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).

2 Using Intelligent Provisioning

Overview

To access Intelligent Provisioning, power on or reboot the server and press F10 when prompted during the server POST.

When accessing Intelligent Provisioning, one of the following happens:

• If this is your first time to use Intelligent Provisioning, onscreen 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 18))

◦ 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 Using Intelligent Provisioning

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

Home

System Information

Continue

Returns to the Intelligent Provisioning home page, with the Configure and Install and Perform Maintenance menus. This icon is available

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

Displays system information, including the Intelligent Provisioning version.

Powers down or reboots the server.Power

Returns you to the previous screen after validating and saving your choices.

Takes you forward to the next screen after validating and saving your choices.

Overview 7

Completing initial configuration and registration tasks

When using Intelligent Provisioning for the first time, follow the onscreen 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.

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. 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.

8 Using Intelligent Provisioning

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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).

6. 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.

7. 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. 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 (“Intelligent Provisioning Preferences”

(page 36)).

Completing initial configuration and registration tasks 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:

• Reboot the server and, when prompted, press F9 to access the ROM-Based Setup Utility (RBSU) or UEFI System Utilities.

• In the RBSU, select Server Security→Intelligent Provisioning (F10 Prompt)→Enabled.

• In the UEFI System Utilities, select System Configuration→ROM-Based Setup Utility

(RBSU)→Intelligent Provisioning (F10 Prompt)→Enabled.

For more information on UEFI System Utilities, see the HP UEFI System Utilities User Guide. For more information on RBSU, see the HP ROM-Based Setup Utility 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 Using Intelligent Provisioning

HP remote support overview

ProLiant

Firewall

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

When you use the embedded Remote Support functionality with an HP ProLiant server, you can choose from the following configuration options.

Configuration options

• 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.

The direct connect configuration is available in Intelligent Provisioning 1.60 and later.

Figure 1 (page 11) shows the direct connect configuration with an HP ProLiant server.

Figure 1 Insight Online direct connect

• 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).

The central connect configuration is available in Intelligent Provisioning 1.20 and later.

Figure 2 (page 11) shows the central connect configuration with an HP ProLiant server.

Figure 2 Insight Remote Support central connect

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.

Completing initial configuration and registration tasks 11

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

◦ 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 HP ProLiant Gen8 and Gen9 servers for Insight Remote Support central connect or Insight Online direct connect in order to receive the

12 Using Intelligent Provisioning

following HP 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 HP 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.

• iLO is configured as follows:

Version 1.60 or later is required for Insight Online direct connect registration. Version 1.20 or later is required for Insight Remote Support central connect registration. For information about updating Intelligent Provisioning, see “Firmware Update” (page 35).

A supported version of the iLO firmware is installed.

◦

Version 1.40 or later is required for Insight Online direct connect registration. Version 1.10 or later is required for 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 7.0.9 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.

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.

Completing initial configuration and registration tasks 13

3. Enter your HP Passport credentials in the HP Passport Username and HP Passport Password

boxes.

IMPORTANT: In most cases, your HP Passport user name is the same as the email address

you used during the HP Passport registration process. If you changed your user name 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 11). 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.

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.

14 Using Intelligent Provisioning

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 account used to register this server: <HP Passport User ID>.

9. Click the Continue right arrow to proceed to the Intelligent Provisioning home page (“Overview”

(page 6)).

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. 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.

Completing initial configuration and registration tasks 15

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. If you do not install AMS, do one of the following to ensure that the server name is displayed correctly in Insight Online and Insight RS:

◦ 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 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 Using Intelligent Provisioning

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 11). 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 6)).

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. 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.

◦ 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 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 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.

Completing initial configuration and registration tasks 17

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 13) and

“Registering for Insight Remote Support central connect” (page 16).

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 onscreen prompts in the Configure and Install menu to complete the tasks in the following four screens:

• “Step 1: Hardware Settings” (page 20)

• “Step 2: OS Selection” (page 21)

• “Step 3: OS Information” (page 26)

• “Step 4: Review” (page 30)

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.

Disc

Microsoft Windows (64–bit)

VMware ESXi

ESX

SUSE Linux Enterprise Server

Red Hat Enterprise Linux

ISO

Formats:

• Flat—Standard folder structure

• ISO—ISO or UDF file

ManualCustomized install methodRecommended install method

DiscUSBFTPNetwork

Flat ISOFlatFlat ISOISO VM

ISO

Flat ISOFlatFlat ISOISO VM

ISO

Flat ISOFlatFlat ISOISO VM

—Flat———Flat——VMware

——————Flat ISOISO VM

—————Flat—ISO VM

DiscUSBFTPNetwork

ISO VM ISO

• VM ISO—iLO Virtual Media ISO

• kISO—Kernel update ISO

• VM NET—iLO Virtual Media folder share

• VM USB—iLO Virtual Media USB

18 Using Intelligent Provisioning

For more information about supported operation systems, software, and firmware, see the links in

“Introduction” (page 5).

SD Boot

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 (“Deployment Settings” (page 37)) installation.

Requirements:

• iLO 4 1.30 or later

• Intelligent Provisioning 1.50 or later

• System ROM from the SPP 2013.09.0 or later baseline

You can find information about using an SD card with Intelligent Provisioning in “Step 3: OS

Information” (page 26).

Configuring the server and installing an OS 19

Step 1: Hardware Settings

In the first configuration screen, enter global settings to control power use, software updates, and array configuration.

IMPORTANT: If unsupported media devices, including non-HP SD cards (“SD Boot”), 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, FTP, 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 RBSU or 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 Quick Configs.

2. Select whether to perform a software update before the OS is installed.

20 Using Intelligent Provisioning

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.

• 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 allows you to choose array settings. For more information about using the HP SSA, see “HP Smart Storage Administrator (HP SSA)” (page 44).

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 RBSU or 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.

Configuring the server and installing an OS 21

IMPORTANT: If unsupported media devices, including SD cards other than HP 32GB SD or

microSD Enterprise Mainstream Flash Media, 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, FTP, or USB drive installed when prompted.

22 Using Intelligent Provisioning

1. Select an OS family. Available supported OS families include:

• Microsoft Windows

• Red Hat Linux

• SUSE Linux Enterprise Server

• VMware ESX and ESXi Custom Image

• 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 18).

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 26).

The following table describes the most common OS-specific installation issues and the recommended solutions.

SolutionIssueLinux edition

Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5 or 6

Unable to proceed with Recommended installation with valid OS images through FTP source media.

Unable to browse Red Hat OS files while saving the Deployment Setting profile.

While performing Red Hat recommended installation using FTP source media, make sure that all the required Red Hat OS files are present in the OS flat file folder. If files are missing or incorrectly placed, you might not be able to continue with installation. Also make sure that two TRANS.TBL files are present in the Red Hat OS flat files folder. One file should be present in the main OS file folder, and another should be present inside the “Server” folder inside the main OS file folder.

While selecting Red Hat OS flat files in Deployment Settings, if a “This media does not match the selected OS. Missing:” message appears, either the wrong OS family is selected, or some of the OS files are missing from the OS flat file folder. Make sure all the

Configuring the server and installing an OS 23

SolutionIssueLinux edition

required Red Hat OS files are present in the OS Flat file folder.

Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5

VMware

When installing Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5, access to the full set of supported packages is missing.

When installing a VMware OS to a storage controller with an SD card installed, using Recommended or Custom installation methods, the OS continues reinstallation after reboot.

Enter an installation number in the Installation Number field of the OS information page. This requirement applies only to Red Hat Enterprise Linux

Remove the SD card before performing a Recommended or Custom installation of VMware to a storage controller.

• 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 enabled

automatically, and 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.

To disable VID:

1. Reboot the server and press F9 during POST to access RBSU or UEFI System Utilities.

◦ In the RBSU, navigate to Advanced Options→Advanced System ROM Options→Virtual

Install Disk.

◦ In the UEFI System Utilities, navigate to System Configuration→ROM-Based Setup

Utility (RBSU)→Advanced Options→Advanced System ROM Options→Virtual Install Disk.

In all Linux environments, add linux dd 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

SUSE Linux Enterprise Server

Because of a naming convention conflict between SUSE Linux

To access the SP2 drivers in the VID, include the

updatedir=

/linux/suse/i386–sles11.2

24 Using Intelligent Provisioning

ExampleSolutionIssueLinux edition

broken_modules=ahci for sles10 and sles11

blacklist=ahci for rhel6

Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6, U3

Enterprise Server 11 SP1 and SP2, the SP2 drivers are located in a directory that the SUSE installer does not see.

The non-RAID AHCI driver attempts to

Dynamic Smart Array B120i Controller, preventing logical drive recognition.

updatedir kernel parameter for the appropriate OS.

Enter the following boot parameters to prevent the driver fromattach to the HP taking over the controller.

3. Select the source media from which you are installing the OS. Media types include:

• Disc (default)—A standard bootable OS DVD/CD-ROM media, and virtual media through

iLO

• Network share—The network share that contains the OS installation files

• FTP—The FTP server that contains OS installation files

• USB— 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.

Configuring the server and installing an OS 25

Required information/actionMedia type

FTP

USB

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).

Insert the USB drive and browse to the location of the OS installation files on the USB drive. Then, double-click the ISO file.

6. Click the Continue right arrow to proceed to the next screen in the automated process.

Step 3: OS Information

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 Windows 2012 Hyper-V, you must select the Windows 2012 OS family and

the Hyper-V OS. If a different OS family is selected, the installation will fail, generating the following error message: Unattended settings error.

Also, when installing windows 2012 R2 Hyper-V, you must select Windows 2012 R2 as OS family and the Hyper-V OS.

2. Select the OS and the keyboard language.

26 Using Intelligent Provisioning

IMPORTANT: The HP SD or microSD Enterprise Mainstream Flash Media cards are the only

SD cards that currently support the SD Boot option. Windows and Linux OS families support the SD Boot option for Recommended installations.

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 and re-enter an Administrator password, if preferred. This step is optional.

5. Click the Continue right arrow to proceed to “Step 4: Review” (page 30).

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 HyperV hypervisor environments.

NOTE:

• The deployment of HP Store Virtual VSA is supported only during recommended and custom

installations. 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 Hyper-V on the following operating systems:

• VMware ESXi 5.1 Update 2

• VMware ESXi 5.5

• 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.

Configuring the server and installing an OS 27

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.

Entering VSA contact information

You must provide all required contact information to deploy HP StoreVirtual VSA. If you do not wish to provide contact information, it will be necessary to select Continue without deploying VSA.

NOTE: The collected contact data is managed according to the HP privacy statement, available

at http://www.hp.com/go/privacy. You may be contacted by HP.

1. Enter the appropriate contact information. All required fields must be entered. The contact information is validated and if any fields are not valid you are prompted to enter

them.

2. If you want to receive new product information, select the Sign me up... option.

3. Click the Continue right arrow.

Completing VSA deployment

Before you can begin using VSA you must perform the following tasks. The VSA instructional videos at the HP website http://www.hp.com/go/vsa1TB will guide you through these tasks.

1. Select the appropriate HP StoreVirtual Centralized Management Console, download and install it

2. Retrieve your free 1 TB license key and activate it.

3. Configure the Centralized Management Console.

If you do not want to deploy VSA, you can do so at a later time.

28 Using Intelligent Provisioning

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