VMware Cloud Community
derekb13
Contributor
Contributor

HP + ESXi Embedded + Firmware Upgrades

We are running ESXi Embedded 3.5 (the OEM USB stick) on a number of BL460c G1 HP Blades. We need to upgrade the Power Management Controller on them to version 3.4, but are trying to figure out how to do it. HP's web site, if I tell ask it for the PMC updater for "VMWare ESX 3.5" (there is no "ESXi" option), gives me the standard Linux .scexe file.

But since, on ESXi -

  • There's no service console, and

  • There's no local storage, since it's embedded

I'm trying to figure out how this firmware upgrade would happen. Unfortunately, the PMC is not included on the 8.50 Hardware Maintenance CD, or this would be easy and simple (and why that is the case, I have no idea).

Anyone done this and have some pointers? (Surely SOMEONE must have done it, considering the epic-failure bugs in PMC 0.7 and 3.3.....)

Tags (3)
Reply
0 Kudos
4 Replies
AndreTheGiant
Immortal
Immortal

You can use a Linux Live Distro.

Or check if there is a bootable CD from HP.

Andre

Andrew | http://about.me/amauro | http://vinfrastructure.it/ | @Andrea_Mauro
Reply
0 Kudos
avlieshout
VMware Employee
VMware Employee

In ESXi there is a hidden console.

  • Go to the ESXi console and press alt+F1

  • Type: unsupported

  • Enter the root password(No prompt, typing is blindly)

Perhaps the standard linux scexe files work in this limited console. You could give it a try.

Else you need to use a bootable CD as Andre suggests.

-Arnim van Lieshout

-


Blogging:

Twitter:

If you find this information useful, please award points for "correct" or "helpful".

Arnim van Lieshout Blogging: http://www.van-lieshout.com Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/avlieshout If you find this information useful, please award points for "correct" or "helpful".
Reply
0 Kudos
DSTAVERT
Immortal
Immortal

DO NOT try to load any drivers or other software through the ESXi unsupported console. Linux drivers are not compatible with ESXi. You risk breaking things. As Andre said, try a linux boot CD or get specific instructions from HP.

-- David -- VMware Communities Moderator
Reply
0 Kudos
avlieshout
VMware Employee
VMware Employee

Sure you are right.

Still wondering if this works though. You don''t need to install things, just run an app to upgrade firmware.

First put host into maintenance mode to evacuate all vm's. Worst case scenario you have to reinstall your host.

-Arnim van Lieshout

-


Blogging: http://www.van-lieshout.com

Twitter:

If you find this information useful, please award points for "correct" or "helpful".

Arnim van Lieshout Blogging: http://www.van-lieshout.com Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/avlieshout If you find this information useful, please award points for "correct" or "helpful".
Reply
0 Kudos