HP Version Control Agent HP Part Number: 367262-005 Published: April 2007 Edition: 12
© Copyright 2005-2007 Hewlett-Packard
Table of Contents 1 Product overview.............................................................................................................5 Additional resources...............................................................................................................................6 2 Getting started................................................................................................................7 Internet Explorer security settings.................................................
Pre-configuration problems.............................................................................................................32 ProLiant Support Pack problems....................................................................................................32 Miscellaneous problems.......................................................................................................................33 Service and support..............................................................................
1 Product overview The HP Version Control Agent (VCA) is an HP Insight Management Agent that is installed on a system to enable you to view the HP software and firmware that is installed on that system. The VCA can be configured to point to a repository being managed by the HP Version Control Repository Manager (VCRM), allowing easy version comparison and software updates from the repository to the system on which the VCA is installed.
In addition to maintaining the software inventory of the system, the VCA integrates with HP SIM. This integration enables administrators to take advantage of the Software Update capabilities of the agent. Additional resources For additional resources, go to http://www.hp.com/servers/manage.
2 Getting started To start using the HP Version Control Repository Manager (VCRM) and the HP Version Control Agent (VCA), use the following steps as a guideline for installing and configuring your machines properly: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Verify that your system meets minimum requirements. For more information regarding minimum requirements, refer to the Version Control Installation Guide. Install and configure the SMH.
Logging in Access the HP Version Control Agent (VCA) graphical user interface (GUI) from any network client using a web browser. For information about which browsers are supported, refer to the Version Control Installation Guide. IMPORTANT: If an HP Version Control Repository Manager (VCRM) has not been configured, only the Software and Firmware Inventory of items currently installed on the system are displayed on the Home page. The VCA settings must be configured for full functionality.
3 Navigating the software The HP Version Control Agent (VCA) provides an interface that enables you to easily navigate through the tabbed pages: • • “ The Home page” “The Log page” Related topics • • • Viewing overall software status icons The Home page The Log page 9
4 The Home page The Home page lists the HP software and version currently installed. The content of the Home page depends on the configuration of the HP Version Control Repository Manager (VCRM). Refer to “Changing agent settings” for information regarding the configuration of the VCRM and Reference Support Pack.
Related procedures • • Changing agent settings Updating software Related topics • • Viewing overall software status icons Navigating the software Viewing overall software status icons NOTE: Click a Software Status icon to access the HP Version Control Agent (VCA). If the VCA cannot be accessed, help displays describing how to configure the VCA or trust relationship on that system. NOTE: There is a Software Status icon for every system except HP-UX.
Icon Status The installed software versions are the same or newer than the versions in the Reference Support Pack. The Reference Support Pack configured at the VCA is no longer valid at the configured VCRM. Status Values When a Reference Support Pack is Set and the Exact Match is Selected Icon Status The installed version does not match the version of the same item in the Reference Support Pack, and the VCA settings specify that an exact match is expected.
Status icons for installed software have the following meanings: Icon Status This update contains critical bug fixes. HP requires that you apply this update at your earliest convenience. This update might contain bug fixes or new hardware support. HP recommends that you review information about this version and apply this update appropriately. The installed software version is equal or greater than this version.
Related procedures • • Changing agent settings Viewing overall software status icons Related topics • • The Home page Viewing overall software status icons Showing or hiding software The Show Additional Items Available in the Repository link provides the Available Software list of ProLiant and Integrity Support Packs and components available for installation.
1. 2. Select the Home tab. The Home page appears. Click Change Agent Settings. The Select the VCRM page appears. a. In the Computer Name field, enter the name or IP address of a system with a VCRM installed. Specifying the name of a computer with a VCRM installed allows a more detailed software inventory to be generated and provides a way to update HP software on the system. b. In the Login Account field, enter a login that has the appropriate security level for the SMH on the specified system.
3. Click Next to continue. The Select the Reference Support Pack page appears. Click Reset to clear the settings you just specified or Cancel to abort the changes. Note: If the VCRM cannot be accessed, an error message appears, and you are returned to the HP Version Control Agent Change Agent Settings page to reenter the settings.
1. 2. Click the Home tab. The Home page appears. Click the Install icon next to the item you want to be installed. A component/ProLiant and Integrity Support Pack installation page for selecting installation options appears. a. Force Installation. Enables the software to reinstall itself over an existing or newer version. Note: A downgrade to an older version might not succeed, even though this box is selected.
• • • Names of installed software Installed version Latest version To print the software status and installed software: 1. 2. From the HP Version Control Agent Home page, click the printer icon in the upper right corner. The Software Status and Installed Software report appears. The default Print dialog box is also displayed. Click Print. The report is printed.
5 The Log page The Log page contains information logged by the HP Version Control Agent (VCA) during its operation. The log is often informational when you are trying to troubleshoot a problem, such as why a specific task failed. The log can be cleared using the Clear the Log link.
— — — Informational and Normal events are logged to confirm the internal event, such as startup, or the result of a successful task completion, such as a component install. Warning events can indicate a condition that might mean a feature of the VCA is not fully operational, such as an incorrect configuration. Major events are logged when a task or process fails.
Clearing the log If the logs become lengthy and cumbersome, it can become difficult to find the information for which you are searching. The Clear the Log link enables you to clear the VCA Log. CAUTION: caution. Clearing the HP Version Control Agent log file is irreversible. Use this feature with IMPORTANT: Be sure that you have configure the Internet Explorer security settings properly. For more information, refer to “Internet Explorer security settings”.
4. In the Days to Keep Entries field, enter the number of days that you want to retain the log entries before deleting them. Note: By default, log entries are kept for 90 days. 5. 6. 7. 8. In the Log Entries Displayed Per Page section, select the number of entries that you want to display on each Log page from the dropdown menu. Click Reset to return the Log Settings page and restore the default settings, or Cancel to abort the changes. Click Finish to save the new settings.
6 Troubleshooting HP Version Control Agent Access problems My Install buttons are grayed out in the VCA when I configure the VCA with administrator, operator or even invalid credentials to connect to the VCRM. Solution: The VCRM's SMH has anonymous access enabled. HP recommends that you upgrade the VCRM with the version from the 7.50 HP Management CD.
You will now be able to install and upgrade the VCRM using the VCA. Log problems Why do I see a reboot required, Status 2 in the VCA Log but not in the Install Log? Solution: The VCA Log page contains information logged by the VCA during its operation. The VCA Log is often informational when you are trying to troubleshoot a problem, such as why a specific task failed.
login to the SMH again and view the VCA log directly to determine the status of the installation task. When attempting to clear the log and save log text using Internet Explorer, a security dialog box appears indicating a file download error has occurred. I can download the file by right-clicking the Security tab and selecting Download File. However, when I open the log file from the saved location, there is no data.
Repository problems The job of the Software Version Status Polling tasks in HP SIM is to retrieve a list of installed software and firmware from systems and obtain the software status from the HP Version Control Agent (VCA) on those systems. Why do I need to specify a repository when setting up this task? Does it matter which repository I choose? Solution: HP SIM sends the selected VCRM a list of all the software versions in sorted order.
HP Version Control Repository Manager Access problems After updating my Windows XP system with Service Pack 2, I am unable to access the HP Version Control Repository Manager. What happened? Solution: The Windows XP Service Pack 2 implements a software firewall that prevents browsers or other clients from accessing the ports required for access to the VCRM. To resolve this issue, you must configure the firewall with exceptions to allow access through the ports used by HP SIM, VCA and other VCRMs.
4. 5. 6. Under Run ActiveX controls and plug-ins, select Enable. Under Script ActiveX controls marked safe for scripting, select Enable. Click OK to save your settings. You are returned to the browser. Catalog problems When I copy the files from a ProLiant and Integrity Support Pack into the repository manually, I might not see all of the new components listed on the Catalog page.
Solution: The access rights to the \compaq\wbem directory were not set up correctly during the uninstall of HP SIM 4.0/4.01 followed by the installation of HP SIM 4.1. As a result, the VCRM does not successfully register with the SMH. HP recommends the following actions: • Install HP SIM 4.2. Or • Download and install HP Web-enabled System Management Software Security Patch for Windows 5.94, which is available as SoftPaq SP25771 from http://h18007.www1.hp.com/ support/files/server/us/download/22728.html.
4. 5. 6. 7. Click Sites.... The Trusted sites dialog box appears. In the Add this Web site to the zone field, enter https://hostname:2381/ and click Add. Click OK to save your changes and close the Trusted sites dialog box. Click OK to close the Internet Options dialog box. Pre-configuration problems I am unable to add a certificate to the SMH component when preconfiguring it in the VCRM or HP SIM. I receive the error Unable to Read the certificate file when I select a certificate using Browse.
6. 7. 8. 9. Deselect Encrypt contents to secure data. Click OK. Click OK again. Your settings are saved. Start the VCRM service. The ProLiant Support Packs are displayed on the Catalog page. Can I use the software or firmware criteria in HP SIM to tell which version of a Support Pack is installed? Solution: Generally, ProLiant Support Packs cannot be used for comparison when developing a software update search.
NT, choose the Foundation Agents for Windows from the Windows 2000 and Windows NT branch. What capabilities do I get from the VCA alone? Solution: The VCA provides a list of the HP Web-enabled System Management Software and firmware installed on the local server. For the VCA to provide version control and software distribution functionality, it must be configured to refer to a VCRM.
Windows events The following table shows a listing of Windows events that are applicable to the VCA. Event ID Facility Severity Text 28 Application Informational The installation task succeeded. VCA Log URL. 53 Application Informational The configuration task succeeded. VCA Log URL 60 Application Informational Started the VCA (normal startup). 65 Application Informational The VCA Win32 service was stopped 208 Application Error The installation task failed.
7 Legal notices Warranty The information in this document is subject to change without notice. Hewlett-Packard makes no warranty of any kind with regard to this manual, including, but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. Hewlett-Packard shall not be held liable for errors contained herein or direct, indirect, special, incidental, or consequential damages in connection with the furnishing, performance, or use of this material.
Revision History Revision History Revision Edition 12 April 2007 MPN: 367262-005. The twelfth edition added new operating system and browser support for the HP VCA v2.1.8 release, and the online help was produced in two languages. Revision Edition 11 January 2007 MPN: 367262-004. The eleventh edition added new operating system and browser support for the HP VCA v2.1.7 release, and the online help was produced in two languages. Revision Edition 10 February 2006 MPN: 367262-003.
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Glossary available software A listing of the software components available in the repository that the VCA has been configured to point to. When browsing directly into a VCA, these additional components can be selected for installation. component A component is a single, self-describing, installable (interactive or silent) binary file containing a single piece of software, such as firmware image, driver, agent, or utility, that is supported by the management and update tools.
Replicate Agent Settings A tool that can be used to copy Web-based agent settings to a group of systems. repository A directory containing ProLiant and Integrity Support Packs and Smart Components. Secure Task Execution (STE) Secure execution of a task from a managed system. This feature of HP SIM ensures that the user requesting the task has the appropriate rights to perform the task, and encrypts the request to protect data from snooping.
Index A accessing, 8 B refreshing, 18 release history, 37 replicating, 5 reporting, 18 browser errors, 7 S C showing, 15 signing out, 8 software status, 12 changing, 15, 23 clearing, 23 copyright notice, 37 T getting started, 7 trademark notices, 37 troubleshooting, 25 reference, 34 H U hiding, 15 Home page HP Version Control Agent, 11 HP ProLiant and Integrity Support Pack, 14 HP Version Control Agent, 5, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 18, 21, 22, 23, 25, 35, 38, 41 U.S.
