a wandersick's Tech Notes

This is a quick guide showing how to include/slipstream custom packages (rpm, exe, etc.) in HP/HPE SPP (Service Pack for ProLiant) ISO images for updating of system software or firmware of components within HPE/HP servers. Next, the process of offline updating will be shown. Finally, a few handy tips and reference URLs will be provided before conclusion. The Need for SPP Customization Below are a few of the reasons: SPP is released several times per year by HPE. Component updates released in between may not be covered and would require a separate updating process had SPP not been customized. Although SPP supports online firmware updating within a suitable OS, in limited environments where online updating is impossible, offline updating, which often require SPP, might be the only way. The current SPP ISO is over the size of a single-layer writable DVD disc. However, not all firmware files are required for everyone; it may be desirable to only select desired firm...

This blog post documents the HP/HPE iLO PowerShell commands I used for scripting the process of booting to Windows PE for purposes such as using Microsoft SCCM (System Center Configuration Manager) and/or SCO (System Center Orchestrator) runbooks for automated operating system deployment. Thanks to Kyle Murley's blog post which led me to this. Prerequisites HP iLO Cmdlets for Windows PowerShell (x86/x64) - http://www.hp.com/go/powershell (v1.3 as of this moment). HP iLO Server with Advanced iLO License. (Already required by the first Mount-HPiLOVirtualMedia command) - This post is based on iLO4, but it might also work for iLO3 or others. Kindly let me know if it does for you. Web server (e.g. Microsoft IIS) for hosting the Windows PE ISO file (as required by ImageURL parameter). [Optional] Sysinternals Process Monitor for monitoring the download of Windows PE ISO file from the web server. [Optional] HP Scripting Tools for Windows PowerShell User Guide (Also, I found the built...