[OpenIndiana-discuss] HP wx8600 and 3 tb (seagate) drives

[Nikola M]

On 04/19/17 05:05 AM, Harry Putnam wrote:
> HARDWARE: HP xw8600 2x Xeon 5470 3.33 Ghz - 32 GB ram
>
> The hardware was first put into operation in 2008 and has BIOS version
> of 1.46 which I'm pretty sure is the latest at Sep 2012.
Even hardware mentioned seems like a workstation product, (and don't 
know if support for other HP product,like disk controllers, followed the 
case), there is one one general note about HP server products.

Following management change, HP in 2014 changed it's support model for 
their server hardware and they require having hardware support contracts 
to update firmware.
(that includes bug fixes for hardware to function properly, without bugs 
delivered with hardware).
http://www.zdnet.com/article/hp-to-begin-charging-for-firmware-updates-and-service-packs-for-servers/

> This week, HP announced that effective February 19, 2014, we will 
> provide firmware updates through the HP Support Center 
> <http://h20566.www2.hp.com/portal/site/hpsc/public/?ac.admitted=1391725520165.876444892.199480143> 
> only to customers with a valid warranty, Care Pack Service 
> <http://www.hp.com/go/carepackservices> or support agreement. 

Someone could say that not caring to fix firmware/hardware bugs for 
already sold hardware - unless additional pay to HP, can hurt users and 
HP server products usability and affect the trust in products and hurt 
sales, but it certainly seems that buying new/used HP server hardware is 
more risky/costly then it seemed.

(http://www.theregister.co.uk/2014/02/12/hp_clarifies_firmware_support_contract_rules/)

>   * Which products are affected? – Only ProLiant servers, and only
>     system ROM and complex programming logic device (CPLD) firmware is
>     affected. “Entitlement requirements” won't apply to iLO, I/O or
>     controller firmware.
>   * What about warranty? – Firmware is covered under warranty, but to
>     get full coverage post-warranty, a service contract will be required.
>   * What about security? – “Security and safety” patches will be
>     provided to all server users for free.
>

http://windowsitpro.com/industry/hp-alters-access-some-server-updates-now-requires-entitlement-contract

> HP has created a new categorization in their downloads center called 
> "Firmware (Entitlement Required)" and when customers attempt to access 
> the updates, the web site will first verify that customer's HP Support 
> Center User ID is linked to an existing contract or the registered 
> equipment is under warranty.

Don't know if HP expanded new policy of requesting hardware support 
contracts for updating firmware in their other products.
(http://www.bit-tech.net/news/bits/2014/02/10/hp-bios/1)

> The fine print suggests this is just the beginning and that more 
> product categories will soon also require paid contracts for support:
>
>     /Over time, more areas in the HP Support Center will be similarly
>     changed so that access to support materials is co-extensive to
>     your warranty or support agreements entitlements./
>