DRAFT - HP Confidential - DRAFT
Diagnostic tools 125
When the server is configured for Legacy BIOS Boot Mode, HP provides legacy USB support in the
pre-boot environment prior to the operating system loading for USB 1.0 and USB 2.0 speeds. While
USB 3.0 ports can be used with all devices in Legacy BIOS Boot Mode, they are not available at USB
3.0 speeds in the pre-boot environment. Standard USB support (USB support from within the operating
system) is provided by the OS through the appropriate USB device drivers. Support for USB 3.0 varies
by operating system.
For maximum compatibility of USB 3.0 devices with all operating systems, HP provides a configuration
setting for USB 3.0 Mode. Auto is the default setting. This setting impacts USB 3.0 devices when connected
to USB 3.0 ports in the following manner:
Auto (default)
—If configured in Auto Mode, USB 3.0 capable devices operate at USB 2.0 speeds in the
pre-boot environment and during boot. When a USB 3.0 capable OS USB driver loads, USB 3.0
devices transition to USB 3.0 speeds. This mode provides compatibility with operating systems that do
not support USB 3.0 while still allowing USB 3.0 devices to operate at USB 3.0 speeds with state-of-the
art operating systems.
Enabled
—If Enabled, USB 3.0 capable devices operate at USB 3.0 speeds at all times (including the
pre-boot environment) when in UEFI Boot Mode. This mode should not be used with operating systems
that do not support USB 3.0. If operating in Legacy Boot BIOS Mode, the USB 3.0 ports cannot function
in the pre-boot environment and are not bootable.
Disabled
—If configured for Disabled, USB 3.0 capable devices function at USB 2.0 speeds at all times.
The pre-OS behavior of the USB ports is configurable in System Utilities, so that the user can change the
default operation of the USB ports. For more information, see the
HP UEFI System Utilities User Guide for HP
ProLiant Gen9 Servers
on the HP website (
http://www.hp.com/go/ProLiantUEFI/docs
).
External USB functionality
HP provides external USB support to enable local connection of USB devices for server administration,
configuration, and diagnostic procedures.
For additional security, external USB functionality can be disabled through USB options in UEFI System
Utilities.
HP Smart Storage Administrator
HP SSA is a configuration and management tool for HP Smart Array controllers. Starting with HP ProLiant
Gen8 servers, HP SSA replaces ACU with an enhanced GUI and additional configuration features.
HP SSA exists in three interface formats: the HP SSA GUI, the HP SSA CLI, and HP SSA Scripting. Although
all formats provide support for configuration tasks, some of the advanced tasks are available in only one
format.
Some HP SSA features include the following:
Supports online array capacity expansion, logical drive extension, assignment of online spares, and
RAID or stripe size migration
Suggests the optimal configuration for an unconfigured system
Provides diagnostic and SmartSSD Wear Gauge functionality on the Diagnostics tab
For supported controllers, provides access to additional features.
For more information about HP SSA, see the HP website (
).
