HP promises free server security patches

Hewlett-Packard has clarified its position on charging server customers for firmware updates, stating that security patches will still be supplied free of charge.

The company's vice president of server support, Mary McCoy said in a blog post today that security and safety patches for servers will continue to be provided by HP.

"We understand that updates addressing security and safety are important for your business, and will continue to provide those updates to all server users," McCoy said. 

McCoy also reiterated that HP's plan to force users onto server maintenance programs only impacts those with ProLiant servers that are out of warranty and not covered by an existing agreement.

"Specifically, within ProLiant, we are not putting entitlement requirements on iLO, I/O, or controller firmware; we are only entitling ProLiant system ROM and complex programming logic devices (CPLD) firmware," she said.    

McCoy defended the decision to charge for firmware and service packs after product warranties had expired.

"It is through the sales of warranty in the product, and sales of support services after the warranty, that we are able to invest to create great customer experiences with our products. 

Naturally we don't ask customers to buy support as that is their choice," McCoy said.