Get Windows Firmware Embedded Activation Key

Firmware-embedded activation keys have become the standard method for OEM providers to deliver license keys on devices. Gone are the days of a Microsoft label stuck on the device with a license code that may come off or degrade over time. We now have a product key stored in the device firmware which allows it … Read more

Supermicro Server BIOS Update

Having received my Supermicro SYS-5028D-TN4T servers for my home lab it’s now time to update the BIOS on each unit. This process can be achieved either through bootable media or if you have the correct license key for the dedicated IPMI (Intelligent Platform Management Interface) interface you can update through that. In my case I … Read more

Upgrade HP C7000 Blade Chassis Firmware

I run multiple HP C7000 blade chassis within my datacentres and keeping the ‘Onboard Administrator’ (OA) firmware up to date is an important task. Each blade chassis has a pair of OA’s to ensure redundancy in a failure event or during upgrades. The OA firmware can be updated in a number of ways and today … Read more

HP 3PAR 3.2.1 Post Upgrade Notes

Last night I completed (with HP) upgrading the HP 3PAR array at one of our datacentres. The second array will be upgraded tonight bringing them both to InForm OS version 3.2.1MU2 (P07, P10, P11, P12). Two issues of sorts occurred during the work which I felt were worth mentioning. SSL Certificate Change Following the upgrade … Read more