If the host server operating system supports USB mass storage devices, the iLO 2 virtual floppy/USB key is also available after the host server operating system loads. You can use the iLO 2 virtual floppy/USB key when the host server operating system is running to upgrade device drivers, create an emergency repair diskette, and perform other tasks. Having the virtual floppy available when the server is running can be especially useful if you must diagnose and repair a problem with the NIC driver.

The virtual floppy/USB key can be the physical floppy or USB key drive on which you are running the web browser, or an image file stored on your local hard drive or network drive. For maximum performance, HP recommends using the local image files stored either on the hard drive of your client PC or on a network drive accessible through a high-speed network link.

To use a physical floppy or USB key drive in your client PC, follow these steps:

1.Select Local Media Drive in the virtual floppy/USB key section.

2.Select the drive letter of the desired local floppy or USB key drive on your client PC from the menu. To ensure the source diskette or image file is not modified during use, select the

Force read-only access option.

3.Click Connect. The connected drive icon and LED changes state to reflect the current status of the virtual floppy Drive.

Figure 6-16 Virtual Floppy/USB KeyTo use an image file, follow these steps:

1.Select Local Image File within the virtual floppy/USB key section of the vMedia applet.

2.Enter the path or file name of the image in the text-box, or click Browse to locate the image file using the Choose Disk Image File dialog. To ensure the source diskette or image file is not modified during use, select the Force read-only access option.

3.Click Connect. The connected drive icon and LED changes state to reflect the current status of the virtual floppy or USB key drive. When connected, the virtual devices are available to the host server until you close the vMedia applet.

4.When you are finished using the virtual floppy/USB key, disconnect the device from the host server or close the applet.

iLO 2 MP Virtual floppy/USB key is available to the host server at run time if the operating system on the host server supports USB floppy or key drives.

iLO 2 MP Virtual floppy/USB key appears to your operating system just like any other drive. When using iLO 2 MP for the first time, the host operating system might prompt you to complete a New Hardware Found wizard.

Virtual Media Applet Timeout

The vMedia applet does not timeout when it is connected to a host server. The vMedia applet must remain open when using a vMedia device. The vMedia applet closes when you log out.

Supported Operating Systems and USB Support for vMedia

To use vMedia devices, your operating system must support USB mass storage devices.

Different operating systems provide different levels of USB support. The iLO 2 MP uses the operating system's built-in USB drivers. The level of USB support in the operating system affects the level of support for the iLO 2 MP vMedia. In general, any operating system issues that affect a USB CD/DVD drive also impacts the iLO 2 MP vMedia.

The HP server ROM provides support during server boot for vMedia with the El Torito bootable CD format.

Table 6-13lists operating systems and the corresponding iLO 2 MP vMedia capabilities by USB CD.

102 Using iLO 2 MP