Introduction; Overview - HP ProLiant Gen9 Servers User Manual

1 Introduction

Intelligent Provisioning is a single-server deployment tool embedded in HP ProLiant Gen8 and
Gen9 servers that replaces the SmartStart CDs and Smart Update Firmware DVD used with previous
generations of HP ProLiant servers. Intelligent Provisioning simplifies HP ProLiant server setup,
providing a reliable and consistent way to deploy HP ProLiant servers.
TIP: The information in this guide is for using Intelligent Provisioning with HP ProLiant Gen9
Servers. For information on using Intelligent Provisioning with HP ProLiant Gen8 Servers, see the
HP Intelligent Provisioning User Guide for HP ProLiant Gen8 Servers available on the HP Enterprise
Information Library (http://www.hp.com/go/intelligentprovisioning/docs).
Intelligent Provisioning assists with the OS installation process by preparing the system for installing
"off-the-shelf" and HP-branded versions of OS software and integrating optimized HP ProLiant
server support software from the HP Service Pack for ProLiant (SPP). SPP is a comprehensive systems
software and firmware solution for HP ProLiant servers and server blades and their enclosures. HP
ProLiant Gen9 servers are preloaded with a basic set of firmware and OS components, which are
installed along with Intelligent Provisioning 2.xx. After the server is running, use the Intelligent
Provisioning Firmware Update utility to install additional components and update any components
that have been outdated since the server was manufactured.
Intelligent Provisioning for HP ProLiant Gen9 Servers includes the following components:
Critical boot drivers for ProLiant servers
HP Active Health System (AHS)
HP StoreVirtual Virtual Storage Appliance (VSA)
IMPORTANT:
Although HP ProLiant Gen9 servers are pre-loaded with firmware and drivers, use Firmware
Update upon initial setup to ensure you have the latest versions. Using Firmware Update also
ensures you have the latest version of Intelligent Provisioning for the latest supported features,
such as Microsoft Windows 2012 installations.
Do not update firmware if the version you are currently running is required for compatibility.
NOTE: HP Intelligent Provisioning does not function within multihomed configurations. A
multihomed host is one that is connected to two or more networks or has two or more IP addresses.
Intelligent Provisioning provides installation help for the following OSs:
Microsoft Windows, 64-bit (except Windows Server 2008 HPC and Windows Server 2008
SP2)
Red Hat Enterprise Linux
SUSE Linux Enterprise Server
VMware ESXi Custom Image
VMware ESXi/vSphere Custom Image
Not all versions of an OS are supported. For more information about supported OSs for HP ProLiant
servers, see the HP Operating Systems and Virtualization Software Support for ProLiant Servers
website (http://www.hp.com/go/ossupport).

Overview

To access Intelligent Provisioning, power on or reboot the server and press F10 when prompted
during the server POST.
Overview 5