In HPE ProLiant servers like the DL360p Gen8, the NAND flash memory serves as persistent storage for critical management components:

// Example of data stored in iLO NAND:
1. iLO firmware and configuration
2. System event logs (SEL)
3. Hardware inventory data
4. Boot-time diagnostic results
5. Persistent network settings

The documented error 'Embedded Flash/SD-CARD failure' typically manifests in these operational impacts:

• iLO resets to factory defaults after power cycles
• Loss of historical hardware logs (critical for RCA)
• Inability to store custom monitoring policies
• Potential failure during firmware updates

Use the HPE RESTful Interface Tool to diagnose:

# Python example using python-redfish-utility
from redfish import RedfishClient

client = RedfishClient(base_url='https://ilo-ip', username='admin', password='')
client.login()
health = client.get('/redfish/v1/Managers/1/')
print(health.dict['Oem']['Hpe']['iLOSelfTestResults'])

For out-of-warranty systems where board replacement isn't feasible:

1. External logging:

   # Configure remote syslog in iLO (SSH example)
   ssh administrator@ilo-ip "set /map1/logging1/dest=syslog \
   host=logserver.example.com port=514 proto=udp"

2. Persistent configuration backup:

   # Export iLO settings periodically
   curl -X GET -k -u admin:password \
   https://ilo-ip/rest/v1/Managers/1/BackupRestoreService/BackupFiles/ \
   -o ilo_config.xml

For environments with multiple affected servers:

# Ansible playbook snippet for automated health checks
- name: Verify iLO NAND status
  hosts: hpe_servers
  tasks:
    - name: Get iLO health
      uri:
        url: "https://{{ inventory_hostname }}/redfish/v1/Managers/1/"
        method: GET
        user: "{{ ilo_user }}"
        password: "{{ ilo_pass }}"
        validate_certs: no
      register: ilo_health
    - fail:
        msg: "NAND failure detected"
      when: "'EmbeddedFlash' not in ilo_health.json.Oem.Hpe.iLOSelfTestResults"

In HPE ProLiant servers like the DL360p Gen8, the NAND flash memory serves as persistent storage for:

• iLO firmware and configuration settings
• System event logs (SEL) and diagnostic data
• SD card redundancy controller (when present)
• Critical boot parameters and hardware inventory

# Typical dmesg errors when NAND fails
[  123.456789] hpilo: Embedded Flash Manager initialization failed
[  123.456790] hpilo: NAND controller timeout (status=0xFFFF0001)
[  123.456791] mmcblk0: error -110 sending status command

The most common operational impacts we've seen:

• iLO settings reset to defaults after reboot
• Loss of historical sensor data and logs
• Intermittent iLO disconnections during heavy I/O
• Failed firmware updates through iLO interface

For servers out of warranty, the Python Redfish utility provides ways to mitigate issues:

# Sample Python to force iLO reset without physical power cycle
import redfish

ilo = redfish.redfish_client(
    base_url='https://ilo-ip',
    username='admin',
    password='password'
)
ilo.login()

# Graceful reset
response = ilo.post('/redfish/v1/Managers/1/Actions/Manager.Reset/',
                    body={'ResetType': 'GracefulRestart'})

# For stubborn cases - equivalent to power cord pull
response = ilo.post('/redfish/v1/Systems/1/Actions/ComputerSystem.Reset/',
                    body={'ResetType': 'ForceOff'})
time.sleep(30)
response = ilo.post('/redfish/v1/Systems/1/Actions/ComputerSystem.Reset/',
                    body={'ResetType': 'On'})

To safeguard against NAND failure:

# Export iLO config regularly (Bash example)
curl -k -u admin:password \
https://ilo-ip/rest/v1/Managers/1/BackupRestoreService/BackupConfig/ \
-o ilo_config_$(date +%Y%m%d).xml

# Schedule via cron
0 3 * * * /usr/local/bin/backup_ilo_config.sh

These symptoms indicate failing NAND requires board replacement:

• Consistent "Invalid firmware image" errors during updates
• Complete loss of iLO configuration between reboots
• Physical SD card slot becomes non-functional
• System event log shows ECC correction threshold exceeded

HPE's advisory a00048622en_us confirms this as a known hardware fault pattern in Gen8 servers.