HP ILO: Update System ROM (BIOS) via ILO

You can use HP ILO to upgrade its own firmware, by uploading the firmware file (e.g. ilo4_255.bin) via ILO web console. This is straight forward and clear.

But the ILO can do much more (but this is really a bit hidden in the web interface). From the help notes:

The following firmware types can be updated from the Firmware Update page:

  • iLO firmware

  • System ROM (BIOS)

  • Chassis firmware (SL and XL servers)

  • Power Management Controller

  • System Programmable Logic Device (CPLD)

  • NVMe Backplane Firmware

  • EdgeLine Chassis Controller Firmware

So besides the "ILO firmware" (which is quite clear) you can also update the firmware of a lot of other components as well (which was not quite clear to me). This is not really made clear on the ILO firmware page itself. When you go to

Administration > Firmware

you see "ILO Firmware" as title, so it is not apparent to you that you can put many different firmware types in the "File" field.

I tried to update the the System ROM and put the following file in the "File" field:

CPQP7812.C7C

It indicated that is was uploading the file and then installing it. Then it just switched back to the Firmware page. No result message.

So I checked and I saw that still the old System ROM was installed. Only after I restarted the server, the new version was displayed. Here, the help file comes in handy again:

  • System ROM (BIOS) - Requires a server reboot.

  • Chassis firmware (Power Management) - Requires a chassis reset, which is triggered automatically.

  • System Programmable Logic Device (CPLD) - Requires a server reboot.

  • Power Management Controller, EdgeLine Chassis Controller Firmware, and NVMe Backplane Firmware - Do not require a server reboot or a system reset.

While this firmware types can also be installed via Windows executables, the install via ILO comes in handy, when you don't have Windows installed.

The cool thing about the install via ILO is also that it automatically detects from the file, which component it has to update.

5 thoughts on “HP ILO: Update System ROM (BIOS) via ILO”

  1. I have blade server 460c G8, iLo4 got updated from iLo web page but I cannot update system BIOS file which is sp99434 in exe format and gives me an error that "the last firmware update was not successful. Ready for next update."
    If you have any solution please let me know. Also does it requires to reboot the server after BIOS update.
    Thank you in advance.

    1. Do not put the .exe file there. Put the firmware file there (in my case it is a .c7c file).

      Also, once it is applied successfully, you must restart the server.

  2. Thank You, Thank You, Thank You!
    I was fiddling with trying to update the BIOS through UEFI Console last night and got nowhere. This morning I ran across this article and it worked flawlessly.

  3. Thank you for the info or confirm it!! I was suspected it! But was skeptic to click "upload" (was kind of thinking will not accept if there is something wrong!!)
    That HP "USB KEY" is a pain to create!! SPP is a pain to find! SSP is a pain to Download when you find it... SSP is a pain to store when you just need the bios or a few meg of file. In fact there is too much way to update stuff on HPE (HP Intelligent provi... etc.). But they only show you the complicate way how to do it... by SPP!!!

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