HP BladeSystem c-Class

Solution Overview

Audience assumptions

This document is for the person who installs, administers, and troubleshoots HP BladeSystem c-Class products. Only persons experienced in server blade technology and configuration should attempt these procedures. HP assumes you are qualified in the servicing of computer equipment and trained in recognizing hazards in products with hazardous energy levels.

Copyright 2006, 2007 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. The information contained herein is subject to change without notice. The only warranties for HP products and services are set forth in the express warranty statements accompanying such products and services. Nothing herein should be construed as constituting an additional warranty. HP shall not be liable for technical or editorial errors or omissions contained herein. Microsoft and Windows are U.S. registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. Part Number 413339-004 October 2007 (Fourth Edition)

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Document overview
This document provides an overview of the complete installation process of an HP BladeSystem c-Class solution.

Before you begin

A. Research and develop a solution

The HP BladeSystem documentation website (http://www.hp.com/go/bladesystem/documentation) includes white papers, tech briefs, instructions, best practices, helpful hints, useful links, and suggestions for setting up and configuring the solution. Use this site to: Learn about BladeSystem technology Plan a total solution and understand how it works Install the components of a BladeSystem solution Integrate a BladeSystem solution and understand how it connects to the outside world Use and manage a BladeSystem solution and understand the best way to make it work

B. Unpack the system

The enclosure and components ship with hard copy installation instructions. When unpacking, be sure to locate all hard copy installation instructions.

C. Compile the documentation

The documentation, while delivered individually and in various formats, works as a system. Consult these documents before attempting installation. These documents provide required important safety information and decision-making steps for configuration. The printed rack template is provided with rack enclosures. This printed document and the printed quick setup instructions are provided in the shipping box and are available on the HP website (http://www.hp.com/go/bladesystem/documentation). The enclosure setup and installation guide, which provides detailed enclosure installation information, is available on the Documentation CD and on the HP website (http://www.hp.com/go/bladesystem/documentation). The installation checklist, used to collect information needed for installation and configuration, is available on the HP website (http://www.hp.com/go/bladesystem).

Other documentation, such as user guides and troubleshooting information, is available either on the Documentation CD or on the HP website (http://www.hp.com/go/bladesystem/documentation).

D. Determine power and cooling configurations

Validate power and cooling requirements based on location and installed components.

E. Plan device and interconnect mappings

Onboard Administrator to iLO port mappings The server blade iLO ports and interconnect module ports can obtain IP addresses on the management network in three ways: DHCP address, static IP address, or EBIPA. For more information, see the HP BladeSystem Onboard Administrator User Guide on the HP website (http://www.hp.com/go/bladesystem/documentation). Interconnect bay to mezzanine slot mappings Server blade mezzanine slots correspond to specific interconnect bays. Plan mezzanine-to-interconnect mapping before installing interconnect modules and server blade mezzanine options. For more information, see the appropriate HP BladeSystem enclosure setup and installation guide on the HP website (http://www.hp.com/go/bladesystem/documentation). Interconnect bay to physical cable mappings Determine and acquire the appropriate number of cables, cable types, and lengths for the interconnect devices being installed. For more information, see the documentation that ships with the interconnect devices.

Hardware installation

See the enclosure quick setup instructions, rack template, and applicable installation instructions.

A. Install the enclosure

The enclosure can either be installed in a rack or in a rack-free environment. For rack installations, install the rack rails and then install the enclosure and other components.

B. Install the components

Before installing front or rear components into the enclosure, review enclosure bay numbering for each component. Install any ordered options, such as processor, memory, mezzanine card, or hard drive, into each server blade. Based on the total number ordered and the planned configuration, install the following components: Server blades Onboard Administrator modules Power supplies Active cool fans

For installation instructions, see the appropriate enclosure setup and installation guide.

C. Connect the Onboard Administrator module cabling

Use the appropriate cables to connect each installed Onboard Administrator module to the external connections. The connectors on the Onboard Administrator module provide a connection to the iLO management network and the capability to link multiple enclosures.

IMPORTANT: For proper management of enclosure devices there must be an Ethernet connection from the Onboard Administrator module to the external management network. For information on Onboard Administrator module cabling, see the HP BladeSystem Onboard Administrator User Guide.

D. Install the interconnect modules and connect cabling

Install the interconnects based on the type of fabric in the configuration and the planned installation location of each mezzanine card. Use the appropriate cables to connect each installed interconnect module to the network.

E. Power up the enclosure

Connect the AC or DC power cables, depending on the power configuration. When the circuit breakers are powered, the enclosure and HP BladeSystem Insight Display have power. By default, each installed component also powers up. Examine the HP BladeSystem Insight Display for any errors which may prevent installed components from powering up.

Enclosure configuration

A. Run the Insight Display wizard

When the enclosure is powered up for the first time, the HP BladeSystem Insight Display launches an installation wizard to guide the rack technician through the initial configuration process. Be sure to have the Installation Checklist available to record important information, such as the Onboard Administrator IP address, gathered while running the installation wizard. By default, the Onboard Administrator obtains an IP address using DHCP. Read the Insight Display and write the IP address for the active and standby Onboard Administrator on the checklist. This IP address is needed for remote connection and subsequent setup with a browser. If DHCP is not used, a static IP address can be configured on the Insight Display Settings screen. For specific instructions, see the HP BladeSystem Onboard Administrator User Guide on the HP website (http://www.hp.com/go/bladesystem/documentation). The Insight Display verifies that no installation or configuration errors exist and indicates configuration check progress. If configuration errors are indicated, follow the on-screen instructions to correct the problem. When the screen display stays green, there are no configuration errors or device failures and hardware installation is complete.

B. Run the Onboard Administrator First Time Setup Wizard

After all hardware is installed and the hardware configuration has been verified in the Insight Display, use one of the following methods to complete the enclosure configuration setup: Use the Insight Display to determine the address received by DHCP, and then use the Onboard Administrator First Time Setup Wizard to complete the installation and configuration at the assigned address. If no DHCP server is present on the customer management network, do one of the following: o Use the Insight Display to set the address, and then use the Onboard Administrator First Time Setup Wizard to complete the installation and configuration at the assigned address. Use the Onboard Administrator First Time Setup Wizard or the CLI to configure EBIPA and assign IP addresses for iLO and interconnect management ports. This method simplifies the required setup for interconnect management network settings.

Use the Insight Display to set the IP address and complete the Onboard Administrator First Time Setup Wizard from the Insight Display. This method enables configuration without the use of an external browser.

For specific instructions, see the HP BladeSystem Onboard Administrator User Guide on the HP website (http://www.hp.com/go/bladesystem/documentation).

Interconnect module configuration

Each interconnect module ships with a default configuration. For customized configuration or advanced port mapping, see the installation instructions that ship with each interconnect module. To configure HP Virtual Connect modules, see the HP Virtual Connect for c-Class BladeSystem User Guide on the HP website (http://www.hp.com/go/bladesystem/documentation).

Firmware Management

To determine recommended updates and download the latest firmware, see the HP BladeSystem c-Class Firmware and Upgrades Compatibility Matrix on the HP website (http://www.hp.com/go/bladesystemupdates). If you are operating the enclosure in a Microsoft Windows or Linux OS environment, use the following tools to verify and update the firmware: HP Smart Update Manager The HP Smart Update Manager utility is available from the ProLiant Firmware Maintenance CD. This CD and others can be downloaded free-of-charge from the HP website (http://www.hp.com/support). Online ROM Flash Component Utility The Online ROM Flash Component Utility enables system administrators to efficiently upgrade system or controller ROM images across a wide range of

servers and array controllers. To download the tool and for more information, see the HP website (http://www.hp.com/support). If you are operating the enclosure in a VMWare ESX OS environment, use an offline utility such as ROMPaq to update and verify the firmware. The ROMPaq utility checks the system and provides a choice (if more than one exists) of available firmware revisions. For more information about the ROMPaq utility, see the HP website (http://www.hp.com/support).

Operating system installation

A. Choose a supported operating system

For the latest operating system support information, see the HP website (http://www.hp.com/go/supportos).

B. Install an operating system

To install an operating system, use one of the following methods: Use iLO Virtual CD/DVD-ROM to install the operating system from a CD/DVD-ROM drive on the network. For more information, see the server blade user guide and the HP Integrated Lights-Out 2 User Guide on the HP website (http://www.hp.com/servers/lights-out). Use a USB DVD-ROM drive and a local I/O cable to install the operating system locally. For more information, see the server blade user guide. For c3000 enclosures, use the optional integrated DVD-ROM drive to install the operating system. For more information, see the HP BladeSystem c3000 Enclosure Setup and Installation Guide on the HP website (http://www.hp.com/go/bladesystem/documentation). Use the Rapid Deployment Pack to install the operating system. The RDP software is the preferred method for rapid, high-volume server deployments. The RDP software integrates two powerful products: Altiris Deployment Solution and the HP ProLiant Integration Module. The intuitive graphical user interface of the Altiris Deployment Solution console provides simplified point-and-click and drag-and-drop operations that enable you to deploy target servers, including server blades, remotely. It enables you to perform imaging or scripting functions and maintain software images. For more information about the RDP, refer to the HP ProLiant Essentials Rapid Deployment Pack CD or refer to the HP website (http://www.hp.com/servers/rdp).

Management software

A. Deploy the management software

The HP BladeSystem c-Class enclosure ships with the Insight Control Management DVD, an integrated suite of software used to simplify HP BladeSystem provisioning and management. Use the wizard-based installer to configure and license HP Systems Insight Manager (HP SIM) and ProLiant Essentials management software rapidly and consistently, which reduces manual procedures and enables faster production deployment of HP BladeSystem servers. If previous enclosures have been installed, it is not necessary to deploy the management software. New devices are discovered and can be managed by the previously installed management system. Before deploying the management software and creating provisioning policies: Complete the installation checklist. Be sure that the HP BladeSystem enclosure, switches, and associated storage resources are configured. Verify that a supported operating system is installed. If the operating system has not been installed, see the operating system installation documentation.

Launch the Insight Control Management DVD and use the installation wizard to deploy and configure HP Systems Insight Manager (HP SIM) and ProLiant Essentials management software. After installation completes, log in to HP SIM using the credentials supplied during the installation process, and follow the instructions on the Getting Started pop-up to complete installation and configuration.

B. Discover and provision new devices

Use HP SIM to discover HP BladeSystem resources and view those resources through the integrated BladeSystem manager. For further information, see the Insight Control Management Quick Setup Poster.