HP Smart Update Manager – Server Update to HP SUM 7.6.0

So here’s a brief log on updating an HP DL350e Gen8 server using HP’s Smart Update Manager version 7.6.0 (HP SUM). The server in question hadn’t been thoroughly updated basically since it it first started working and considering it was acting kind of strange, it seemed like the proper thing to do.

One side note: the server runs Windows Server 2012 Essentials and after the update was completed I had to disable the Windows Search service, as it was acting off  (hang for long periods of time) when renaming folders through clients. Here’s the Microsoft KB article on that: KB ID 3198614

Preparation steps:

• Verify which is the current version of HP SUM: http://h17007.www1.hpe.com/us/en/enterprise/servers/products/service_pack/hpsum/index.aspx
• Choose which update method you need to use (you’re reading a very simple server install, which will use the HP Smart Update Manager zip)
• Download the HP SUM ISO as well and mount it (if using the ZIP method), you’ll need it for the initial baseline. Download here:
  http://h17007.www1.hpe.com/us/en/enterprise/servers/products/service_pack/spp/index.aspx#!&tab=TAB6
• Read the User Guide: http://www.hpe.com/info/sum-docs
• Read the Release Notes (and check it supports your hardware): http://www.hpe.com/info/sum-docs
• Make a Full Backup of the Server

1. After going through the initial steps, unpack the HP SUM ZIP file and “Run as Administrator” the hpsum.bat batchfile:

1. If no baseline is found, create one (or else skip to point 3.):

Choose the baseline from the HP SUM ISO (you’re looking for hp\swpackages):

After the baseline is set, HP SUM will start to review the update Inventory. You should see the yellow progress bar as below:

After the inventory is complete you should see a notification as follows, on the Activity bar:

1. Now you’re ready to start the “Localhost Guided Update“. Use your current baseline or select the one you just created by marking the “Assign different baseline” checkbox:

1. Press OK and it should start reviewing the server against the update inventory. After it finishes, press Next:

1. Review all the updates to be applied. Note that you can force the installation of already installed components, if you think that is necessary (e.g. if something is not working properly), and press Deploy:

The process should finish with a log which you can review. Depending on the updated components, a restart may be necessary:

And that’s about it!