HP Gen8 Microserver - how to update the bios? Is there a limit to HDD size?

[juan9999 0]

Just bought my first gen8 to build a NAS on CL and I'd like to upgrade the BIOS before upgrading the processor.

HP of course requires a maintenance contract to access upgrades, but searching the web I found P03093_001_spp-Gen8.1-SPPGen81.4.iso which I burned to a USB and tried to boot from it, but it doesn't seem bootable.

The machine has ESXI installed on it, and I won't want to install windows to run some of the EXE's if possible... 

1. Any tips to upgrade all the firmwares etc? What updates should I install? Any instructions anywhere?
2. It does have a HP Smart Array P222/512 FBWC (which I will bypass as I want to use as a NAS) - is there a limit on the HDD size I install in it?

Thanks!

[schoondoggy 771]

The latest BIOS release for the MS Gen8 is open for anyone to download, CPU issues, even though it shows as entitlement required. This is the USB key version. install Instructions are listed on the download page;

https://support.hpe.com/hpsc/swd/public/detail?swItemId=MTX_e9bfdf20809a426cb16ef9cd81#tab2

 

All of the other firmware for iLo and IP, and all of the drivers do not require entitlement.

As far as I know there are no capacity limits with the onboard SATA controller or the P222. Depending on the NAS OS you choose, you may want to use a LSI HBA for the NAS drives, so you can passthrough the controller to the NAS VM. 

[juan9999 0]

Thanks for the link! After installing on 5 different USB keys, I finally found one that worked! I was about to give up hope.

 

Is there anything else that you'd recommend that I update as well?  Do I need to install the Service Pack for ProLiant (SPP) Version 2019.03.1 (if so where can I get it) or just the iLo firmware and IP (Not sure what that is). How about the P222?

 

Edited September 10 by juan9999

[schoondoggy 771]

I would update  iLo and Intelligent Provisioning and the P222 if you are going to use it. The SPP download requires entitlement.