Updating Firmware with HPE Service Packs (SPPs)

This section explains how to update the firmware on HPE platforms running Qumulo Core by using an HPE Service Pack for ProLiant (SPP).

Important
Qumulo follows HPE's recommendation on SPP versioning. SPP images are provided directly by HPE. For the latest SPP releases, see the HPE Service Pack for ProLiant (SPP) Home Page.

Prerequisites

Before updating firmware, ensure you have:

Direct or networked KVM access to the node
An HPE SPP (ISO or USB image)
Optional: USB3 drive (if not using the iLO method)

Note
This process updates platform firmware only. It does not upgrade the Qumulo Core software.

Important Considerations

Caution

When updating a live cluster, you must run this procedure on one node at a time. Updating multiple nodes simultaneously can result in cluster-wide data loss.
Update firmware by using only HPE Service Packs (SPPs). Do not install unsupported firmware updates on HDDs, SSDs, or individual hardware components unless Qumulo Care instructs you to do so.

Important

You must perform this procedure on every node in your cluster.
After you perform a firmware update on one node, you must wait for the newly updated node to rejoin the cluster and re-enter protected status before you continue to the next node.

Method 1: Update Firmware Using iLO

This method uses iLO’s virtual media feature to mount the SPP ISO file.

Mount the .iso file from the SPP as a virtual optical drive.
On a workstation or virtual machine in your data center, click Remote Console & Media > Virtual Media URL, and enter the URL to the .iso file.
Connect to your node’s IP address through SSH and run the following commands to stop the QFSD service and power-cycle the node:
```
sudo qsh
sudo service qumulo-qfsd stop
sudo ipmitool power cycle
```
The node reboots to the Smart Update Firmware Boot Menu.
When the firmware update is complete, unmount the virtual optical drive.
Reboot the node.

Method 2: Update Firmware Using a USB Drive

This method uses a bootable USB drive containing the SPP image.

Copy the .img file from the SPP to a USB3 drive.
Insert the USB3 drive into the node.
Connect to your node’s IP address through SSH and run the following commands to stop the QFSD service and power-cycle the node:
```
sudo service qumulo-qfsd stop
sudo ipmitool power cycle
```
After the node reboots, press F11 to enter the boot menu.
The node reboots to the Smart Update Firmware Boot Menu.
After 10 seconds, the SPP starts in Automatic mode.
When the firmware update is complete, remove the USB3 drive.
Reboot the node.

Verify Cluster Protection Status

After updating each node, verify the cluster’s ability to tolerate a node going offline before proceeding to the next node.

Use SSH to connect to a node in the cluster and run the following commands:

qq protection_status_get

Important
The value for remaining_drive_failures must match max_drive_failures and the value for remaining_node_failures must match max_node_failures. If these values don't match, the cluster is still working to reprotect data.

Then run:

qq restriper_status

Ensure that one of the following values appears (depending on your cluster’s version of Qumulo Core):

"state": "FINISHED"
"state": "NOT_RUNNING"

Troubleshooting

Boot Loop After SPP Update

When running the SPP, sometimes the controller loses the boot drive and the node gets stuck in a boot loop. To resolve this:

Enter the System Utilities menu in the BIOS by pressing F9 during boot.
Navigate to Embedded Applications > Intelligent Provisioning > Smart Storage Administrator (or RAID Configuration).
Select the HPE Smart Array where the boot drive is located.
Choose Set Bootable Logical Drive/Volume.
Select the boot drive (the drive with the smallest capacity).

Boot Drive Location (Gen10 Only)

Note
This information applies to Gen10 platforms only, not Gen10 Plus.

SKU	Boot Drive Location
90T and 36T	3I:1:13
336T	2I:1:54

Getting Help

If you encounter issues during the firmware update process, contact the Qumulo Care Team.

For HPE-specific firmware questions, refer to the HPE SPP Documentation.