Validation of installation of removeable computer hardware components
Installation errors for removable hardware components are typically identified only after placing an IHS (Information Handling System) back into service. Upon servicing a removeable hardware component and powering the IHS, a hardware validation request may be issued during booting of the IHS. In certain instances, a technician may trigger a hardware validation request via keyboard inputs during booting. If a hardware validation request is detected, the IHS is diverted from booting to a hardware validation process that identifies the removeable hardware components coupled to the hardware connectors supporting removeable hardware and determines a support level for the removeable hardware components at their installed connector locations. If performance issues are indicated by the support level for the hardware component, a hardware installation recommendation is displayed. The technician may resume booting or perform additional service on the IHS based on the recommendation.
1. A method for validating the installation of removeable hardware components installed in an IHS (Information Handling System), the method comprising:
detecting a hardware validation request during booting of the IHS;
diverting booting of the IHS to a hardware validation process configured to:
identify a plurality of connectors of an IHS, wherein the connectors support installation of removeable hardware components to the IHS;
determine a first removeable hardware component is coupled to a first connector of the plurality of connectors and the first removeable hardware component cannot be identified; and
display a hardware installation recommendation to check the coupling of the first removeable hardware component coupled to the first connector.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the hardware validation request is detected by a baseboard management controller of the IHS by detecting a depression of a designated push-button component of the IHS.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the push-button is located on a chassis of the IHS.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the booting of the IHS operating system is suspended during the operation of the hardware validation process.
5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
determining that the first removeable hardware component coupled to the first connector is not accessible to a first processor of the IHS.
6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the hardware installation recommendation further specifies moving the first removeable hardware component to a second connector that is accessible by the first processor.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the hardware validation process is executed by a baseboard management controller of the IHS while booting of the IHS is suspended.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the hardware installation recommendation specifies a second removeable hardware component that must be installed in the IHS to utilize the first removeable hardware component while coupled to the first connector.
9. An IHS (Information Handling System) comprising:
one or more hardware connectors;
one or more processors;
a plurality of removeable hardware components, each coupled to one or more of the hardware connectors; and
a memory device coupled to the one or more processors, the memory device storing computer-readable instructions that, upon execution by the one or more processors, cause the system to:
detect a hardware validation request during booting of the IHS;
divert booting of the IHS to a hardware validation process configured to:
determine a first removeable hardware component coupled to a first connector of the one or more hardware connectors;
determine the first removeable hardware component coupled to the first connector cannot be identified; and
display a hardware installation recommendation to check the coupling of the first removeable hardware component coupled to the first connector.
10. The IHS of claim 9 , wherein the hardware validation request is detected by a baseboard management controller of the IHS by detecting a depression of a designated push-button component of the IHS.
11. The IHS of claim 10 , wherein the push-button is located on a chassis of the IHS.
12. The IHS of claim 9 , wherein the booting of the IHS operating system is suspended during the operation of the hardware validation process.
13. The IHS of claim 9 , wherein the execution of the computer-readable instructions further causes the system to:
determine that the first removeable hardware component coupled to the first connector is not accessible to a first processor of the one or more processors of the HIS.
14. The IHS of claim 13 , wherein the hardware installation recommendation further specifies moving the first removeable hardware component to a second connector that is accessible by the first processor.
15. The IHS of claim 9 , wherein the hardware installation process is executed by a baseboard management controller of the IHS while booting of the IHS is suspended.
16. The IHS of claim 9 , wherein the hardware installation recommendation specifies a second removeable hardware component that must be installed in the IHS to utilize the first removeable hardware component while coupled to the first connector.
17. A non-transitory computer-readable storage device having program instructions stored thereon for validating the installation of hardware components installed in an IHS (Information Handling System), upon execution by one or more processors, the program instructions cause the one or more processors to:
detect a hardware validation request during booting of the IHS;
divert booting of the IHS to a hardware validation process configured to:
identify a plurality of connectors of an IHS, wherein the connectors support installation of removeable hardware components to the IHS;
determine a first removeable hardware component is coupled to a first connector of the plurality of connectors and the first removeable hardware component cannot be identified;
and
display a hardware installation recommendation to check the coupling of the first removeable hardware component coupled to the first connector.
18. The non-transitory computer-readable storage device of claim 17 , wherein the hardware validation request is detected by a baseboard management controller of the IHS by detecting a depression of a push-button located on a chassis of the IHS.
19. The non-transitory computer-readable storage device of claim 17 , wherein the booting of the IHS operating system is suspended during the operation of the hardware validation process.
20. The non-transitory computer-readable storage device of claim 17 , the program instructions further causing the one or more processors to:
determine that the first removeable hardware component coupled to the first connector is not accessible to a first processor of the one or more processors of the IHS.