Is this your only HP server? SIM would be overkill for a single machine, in my opinion.
HP releases support pack updates roughly once per quarter. You could put them into Smart Update Manager and just update them every 6 months if you want to keep the system current. Through SIM/VCRM you'd still need to manually push the updates anyhow. SUM supports firmware and software now.
Also, for event management, you can install the full HP Management Agents (SUM will show these) and then configure the HP event notifier to send you an email when something breaks.
Alternatively, you can install Insight Remote Support (if your system has a valid warranty) and have it phone home to HP when something breaks. Since you said it was a G4, i assume you didn't bother with warranty since it'd be cost prohibitive on so old of a model.
HP SIM, the base product is free, if you still wish to use it. It's really meant to manage an larger environment. It's too complex of a tool for 1 machine.
HP releases support pack updates roughly once per quarter. You could put them into Smart Update Manager and just update them every 6 months if you want to keep the system current. Through SIM/VCRM you'd still need to manually push the updates anyhow. SUM supports firmware and software now.
Also, for event management, you can install the full HP Management Agents (SUM will show these) and then configure the HP event notifier to send you an email when something breaks.
Alternatively, you can install Insight Remote Support (if your system has a valid warranty) and have it phone home to HP when something breaks. Since you said it was a G4, i assume you didn't bother with warranty since it'd be cost prohibitive on so old of a model.
HP SIM, the base product is free, if you still wish to use it. It's really meant to manage an larger environment. It's too complex of a tool for 1 machine.