HP Smart Update Best Practices Planning Guide

One tool and one data set—OneView
HP OneView combines complex and interdependent data center provisioning and management
into one simplified and unified interface. You use one tool and one model to:
• Provision the data center
• Manage and maintain firmware and configuration changes
• Monitor the data center and respond to issues
The solution also provides core enterprise management capabilities, including:
• Availability features
• Security features
• Graphical and programmatic interfaces
• Integration with other HP management software
VCSU
HP BladeSystem c-Class VCSU enables administrators to perform the following tasks:
• Upgrade VC Ethernet and VC-Fibre Channel module firmware.
• Perform other maintenance tasks remotely on VC Ethernet and Fibre Channel modules installed
in both the HP BladeSystem c-Class c7000 and c3000 enclosures using a standalone Windows
or Linux-based CLI.
Sometimes you need to use VCSU instead of HP SUM to update a VC module. For more information,
see “Best practices quick review” (page 6).
When VCSU initiates a firmware upgrade process, all modules can be updated at the same time,
or the updates can be alternated between left and right modules so that network and SAN
connectivity is not disrupted during the upgrades. The utility displays a message indicating that an
update is in progress and the percentage completed. After the module firmware updates are
complete, the utility activates all modules. VCSU minimizes outage time in the network fabric and
can eliminate an outage altogether if the VC modules are installed in redundant pairs.
To locate the latest version of VCSU:
1. Go to the HP website at http://www.hp.com.
2. Click Support and Drivers.
3. Select Download drivers and software (and firmware).
4. Enter HP BladeSystem c-Class VCSU and press Enter.
5. Select the VC module type.
6. Select the operating system for updating the VC module.
NOTE: Always perform a health check of the VC modules you are going to update before
initiating the firmware update process.
NOTE: HP SUM leverages VCSU included in the VC firmware component to deploy VC
firmware updates.
When to use VCSU
Use VCSU if one of the following applies to a VC module:
• Unhealthy state—HP SUM reports a module as unhealthy during discovery on the Select Targets
screen.
• Force the same version—HP SUM does not allow you to force rewrite the same firmware
version.
• Downgrade VCM—HP SUM does not allow you to force downgrade VC firmware.
30 Update tools