Advisory: (Revision) HP Integrated VMware ESX Server 3i - CUSTOMER ACTION REQUIRED: Configuration Information May Not Be Retained After a Reboot When Running VMware ESX Server 3i USB Key Version 3.5 Update 1, 2, or 3 from Certain USB Keys - c01605187

DESCRIPTION

Document Version	Release Date	Details
4	3/31/2009	Expanding Scope to include some black plastic USB keys.
3	1/21/2009	Updated Scope and Products Affected sections
2	1/15/2009	Updated Resolution information
1	11/14/2008	Original document release

HP has identified an issue that may occur when updating the configuration of a ProLiant server running HP Integrated VMware ESX Server 3i on two types of USB Keys.

The following two issues were detected during testing:

Issue 1: Configuration settings are lost upon rebooting supported ProLiant servers running VMware ESX 3i Server because there is not sufficient time during shutdown to write all configuration data to the affected USB Key.

A second issue may occur that is unrelated to Issue 1, but is related to the USB Key:

Issue 2: On rare occasions, the server may not boot properly due to a hardware issue related to the USB key.

USB keys are affected if they are in one of the following circumstances:

USB keys with green aluminum casing - the issue always occurs.
The green aluminum casing USB Keys that are affected were shipped between March 31, 2008 and September 15, 2008. All the USB Keys (with green aluminum) have been purged from inventory. Effective September 16, 2008, the VMware ESX Server 3i USB Keys with green aluminum casing were replaced with a VMware ESX Server 3i USB Key encased in black plastic. The Spares Kit part number remains the same (490749-001).
Certain USB keys with black plastic casing. Refer to the following information to identify affected keys with black plastic casing:

If the key includes "SMSE" etched into the plug, at the location shown in Figure 1 below (i.e., "xxx SMSE xx" - where x represents any alphanumeric value), the key is NOT affected by this issue.

Figure 1: Rectangular box identifies the location of where SMSE is etched on the USB key.

If the key does not include "SMSE" etched into the plug, the key IS affected by this issue and should be replaced.

RESOLUTION

Customers can obtain a replacement USB Key under warranty by contacting HP Customer Support and requesting Spares Kit 490749-001. HP will also provide the instructions on how to obtain the Recovery CD Image for the replacement VMware ESX Server 3i USB Key.

How to Obtain a Replacement USB Key

In North America, contact Customer Support at 1-800-334-5144.

For Customer Support outside of North America, click on the following URL for a list of Customer Support Centers and appropriate phone numbers:

http://welcome.hp.com/country/us/en/wwcontact.html

When Calling HP Customer Support

Once a Customer Support Agent is available to assist you, refer to Customer Advisory c01605187 VMware ESX Server 3i - CUSTOMER ACTION REQUIRED: Configuration Information May Not Be Retained After a Reboot When Running VMware ESX Server 3i USB Key Version 3.5 Update 1 or Update 2 from Certain USB Keys on ProLiant Servers.

The Customer Support Agent will assist customers with the process of obtaining a Recovery ISO Image to create a Recovery CD. With the Recovery CD, customers can create new VMware ESX Server 3i USB Key(s). Before calling HP Customer Service, the customer should have the following required information available:

VMware ESX Server 3i USB Key(s) Spares Kit 490749-001. USB Keys with green aluminum casing are affected and USB Keys with black plastic casing (as described in the Description section above).
A Serial Number for each ProLiant BL/DL/ML server that is using an affected VMware ESX Server 3i USB Key.
Customer Advisory c01605187.

HP Integrated VMware ESXi Server Product and Licensing:

VMware licensing and product serial number information is required to reestablish the VMware ESXi Server Licensing. The information provided here is taken from the HP integrated VMware ESX Server 3i Getting Started Guide. To reference the Getting Start Guide in full refer to the following URL:

http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bc/docs/support/SupportManual/c01399744/c01399744.pdf?jumpid=reg_R1002_USEN

The HP integrated VMware ESXi products use a serial number based license technology. The serial number that enables the software and provides additional license entitlements is delivered electronically on the USB key. View the Support Information section of the Direct Console User Interface or the VMware Infrastructure Client to obtain the USB Key for the serial number information.

HP strongly recommends recording a copy of the product serial number after the initial system boot. Your serial number contains important license information and should be recorded and saved for later reference.

Backing Up the VMware ESX Server 3i Configuration Files

The instructions listed below are provided to customers that may want to save the current VMware ESX Server 3i configuration files before applying the new image to the USB Key. However, this is a manual procedure as there is no mechanism to backup VMware ESX Server 3i configuration files that reside on a USB Key.

IMPORTANT: The following instructions can be used to back up the VMware configuration files.

Download and install the VMware Remote CLI software located at the following URL:

http://www.vmware.com/download/download.do?downloadGroup=VI-RCLI-U2

Refer to the VMware ESX Server 3i Embedded Setup Guide, Chapter 3 - Backing and Restoring ESX Server 3i located at the following URL:

http://www.vmware.com/pdf/vi3_35/esx_3i_e/r35/vi3_35_25_3i_setup.pdf

To backup the VMware ESX Server 3i configuration files there is a Remote Command Line (RCLI) command that allows backup, copy, and restore of configuration information, specifically vicfg-cfgbackup.

This command has the following main options:

-- save : save all state information to a local file (local to the RCLI system).

-- load : restore all state information from a local file.

RECEIVE PROACTIVE UPDATES : Receive support alerts (such as Customer Advisories), as well as updates on drivers, software, firmware, and customer replaceable components, proactively via e-mail through HP Subscriber's Choice. Sign up for Subscriber's Choice at the following URL:

http://www.hp.com/go/myadvisory

NAVIGATION TIP : For hints on navigating HP.com to locate the latest drivers, patches, and other support software downloads for ProLiant servers and Options, refer to the Navigation Tips document .

SEARCH TIP : For hints on locating similar documents on HP.com, refer to the Search Tips document .

To search for additional advisories related to VMware ESX Server 3i , use the following search string:

+Advisory +ProLiant -"Software and Drivers" +"VMware ESX Server 3i"

KEYWORDS : 3i, ESX, VMware, USB key, config settings, c01605187

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