Since the Intel based Nehalem and Westmere Processors have been released, many HP Server users have been enjoying extreme performance gains.  Several OS patches have been released by Microsoft, Redhat, VMware and other vendors as changes are required…. 

Please note that you still need to keep your HP firmware and drivers up to date as well.  I have provided a couple of links to the HP update Page for some of the most common servers.  You can either download the entire firmware CD and boot off a burned CD to perform the Firmware patches or you can deploy them one at a time from your favorite OS. 

Bulk server patching can also be performed by using the free HP tool called Systems Insight Manager.  Ask your sales rep for a hand if you would like an overview of SIM and how it can help your organization. 

BIOS, Firmware, and Driver updates will solve most hang-ups, reboots, freezes and abnormal behavior.  Most customers build the Host OS and then download/install the latest HP Software Support Pack to make sure the most current software and drivers are installed.   Once the Support Pack is installed you may only require an update or two between releases.

This is only a brief overview of patching HP Servers.  Feel free to comment on what you do to maintain your HP Servers....

Installing an HP Server in a nutshell:

1.       Install latest HP firmware

2.       Install OS

3.       Install HP support pack

4.       Install latest HP software and driver patches

5.       Install antivirus

Download Locations may change.  Current as of 5/20/2011. 

HP DL360 G6 Servers

http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/DriverDownload.jsp?lang=en&cc=us&prodNameId=3884320&taskId=135&prodTypeId=15351&prodSeriesId=3884319&lang=en&cc=us

HP DL360 G7 Servers

http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/DriverDownload.jsp?lang=en&cc=us&prodNameId=4091409&taskId=135&prodTypeId=15351&prodSeriesId=4091408&lang=en&cc=us

HP DL380 G6 Servers

http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/DriverDownload.jsp?lang=en&cc=us&prodNameId=3884083&taskId=135&prodTypeId=15351&prodSeriesId=3884082&lang=en&cc=us

HP DL380 G7 Servers

http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/DriverDownload.jsp?lang=en&cc=us&prodNameId=4091432&taskId=135&prodTypeId=15351&prodSeriesId=4091412&lang=en&cc=us

HP DL580 G5 Servers –Not Nehalem or Westmere but quite popular

http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/DriverDownload.jsp?lang=en&cc=us&prodNameId=3562405&taskId=135&prodTypeId=15351&prodSeriesId=3454575&lang=en&cc=us

HP DL580 G7

http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/DriverDownload.jsp?lang=en&cc=us&prodNameId=4142792&taskId=135&prodTypeId=15351&prodSeriesId=4142916&lang=en&cc=us

Blade Servers can be tricky so follow best practices or ask us for some help!!!!

http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bc/docs/support/SupportManual/c02049593/c02049593.pdf?jumpid=reg_R1002_USEN

http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bc/docs/support/SupportManual/c02225412/c02225412.pdf?jumpid=reg_R1002_USEN

HP BL460C G1 Blade –Not Nehalem or Westmere but quite popular

http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/DriverDownload.jsp?lang=en&cc=us&prodNameId=3288156&taskId=135&prodTypeId=3709945&prodSeriesId=1842750&lang=en&cc=us

HP BL460C G5 Blade –Not Nehalem or Westmere but quite popular

http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/DriverDownload.jsp?lang=en&cc=us&prodNameId=3808911&taskId=135&prodTypeId=3709945&prodSeriesId=3808910&lang=en&cc=us

HP BL460C G6 Blade

http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/DriverDownload.jsp?lang=en&cc=us&prodNameId=3884099&taskId=135&prodTypeId=3709945&prodSeriesId=3884098&lang=en&cc=us

HP BL460C G7 Blade

http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/DriverDownload.jsp?lang=en&cc=us&prodNameId=4194638&taskId=135&prodTypeId=3709945&prodSeriesId=4194735&lang=en&cc=us

HP BL680C G5 Blade  –Not Nehalem or Westmere but quite popular

http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/DriverDownload.jsp?lang=en&cc=us&prodNameId=3562397&taskId=135&prodTypeId=3709945&prodSeriesId=3454580&lang=en&cc=us

HP BL680C G7 Blade

http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/DriverDownload.jsp?lang=en&cc=us&prodNameId=4268691&taskId=135&prodTypeId=3709945&prodSeriesId=4268690&lang=en&cc=us

Generic Link to all HP Software and Drivers

http://www8.hp.com/us/en/support-drivers.html

-jv

Tel: 603-893-0900
http://www.wei.com