Quick Start Guide: HPE Apollo 4200 Gen9

IN THIS ARTICLE

Outlines how to prepare HPE Apollo 4200 Gen9 nodes and create a cluster with Qumulo Core

REQUIREMENTS

• HPE Apollo 4200 Gen9 hardware installed
• Latest Qumulo-certified HPE service pack installed
  • Contact Qumulo Care for details
• Qumulo Core USB Installer Key

For additional details on the HPE Apollo 4200 Gen9 server, reference the HPE Apollo 4200 Gen9 Server Document List.

VERIFY THE NODES

1. Shut down the node and connect it to a display, keyboard, and mouse.
2. Plug in the Qumulo Core Installer USB key to an available USB port.
3. Press the power button highlighted below to power the node on and wait for the machine’s boot screen to display.
   
   
   
   
4. Verify that the Boot Mode is set to Legacy BIOS.
   
   
   
   
• If the Boot Mode is Legacy BIOS, disregard the rest of the steps in this section and proceed to the BOOT TO QUMULO CORE USB INSTALLER KEY section.
• If the Boot Mode is not Legacy BIOS, press F9 to access the System Utilities menu and proceed with the subsequent steps.
5. Click through the System Configuration page to the BIOS/Platform Configuration (RBSU) page to the Boot Options page.
6. Set Boot Mode to Legacy BIOS Mode on the Boot Options page.
7. Press F10 to save the change.
8. Press Esc until you return to the main page.
9. Select Reboot the System.
10.  

BOOT TO THE QUMULO CORE USB INSTALLER KEY

1. Press F11 to access the Boot Menu when prompted at the HPE ProLiant screen. Note that this boot may take a few minutes.
   
   
   
   
2. Press ENTER to boot into the Legacy Bios One-Time Boot Menu.
   
   
   
   
3. Press ENTER again to confirm.
   
   
   
   
4. Select Option 2 from the Default Boot Override Options to do a one-time boot to the Qumulo Core USB Installer key.
   
   
   
   
5. Select one of the following options to continue the install:
   
   
   
   
• For an encrypted install, select option 2 and hit ENTER.
• For a non-encrypted install, select option 1 and hit ENTER. Once the node automatically reboots, repeat the steps in this section to boot to the USB Installer key. Once you return to the SmartArray Mode prompt, select the continue, install in NonSecure Mode option for the following boot.
  

RUN FIELD VERIFICATION TOOL

IMPORTANT! DO NOT run the following Field Verification Tool if any live data is present on the node.

1. Access the Field Verification Tool (FVT) menu by typing 1 or FVT and hit ENTER.
   
   
   
   
2. Flash the node components to the required versions by typing either 1 or FLASH and hit ENTER.
   
   
   
   
3. Type 1 or FVT on the main menu to continue with the test.
   
   
   
   
4. Type 2 or VERIFY and hit ENTER to check the node configuration.
   
   
   
   
5. Review the results and consider the following before proceeding with a clean install of Qumulo Core:
   
• FAIL messages reported from VERIFY are not indicative of an unsuccessful FLASH command and can be resolved with a power-cycle to reflect recent firmware changes. 
• FAIL messages on the boot order when running VERIFY can be ignored at this time.
  

FVT PASS EXAMPLE

FVT FAIL EXAMPLE

• If all fields pass, you may skip the FLASHING OF HPE INTELLIGENT PROVISIONING FIRMWARE section and continue cluster configuration by following the steps outlined in the INSTALL QUMULO CORE VIA THE USB KEY section.
• If the category for the Intelligent Provisioning Version returns FAILED, execute the steps in the FLASHING OF HPE INTELLIGENT PROVISIONING FIRMWARE section below. Once complete, return to step 3 in this section and run the VERIFY command for FVT. If all fields pass, you may continue to the INSTALL QUMULO CORE VIA THE USB KEY section. 

FLASHING OF HPE INTELLIGENT PROVISIONING FIRMWARE

IMPORTANT! ONLY execute these instructions if the Intelligent Provisioning check in the FVT failed.

The HPE Intelligent Provisioning firmware for the HPE Apollo 4200 has no method available to flash this component in the system. To acquire the firmware, download the binary file from HPE Support Center and follow the instructions below.

Update Firmware from System Utilities via a USB Drive

1. Convert the iso file to img format.
2. Apply the file to a USB drive or iLO virtual media. 
• Reference the USB Key Utility for Windows article from HPE Support Center for more information.
3. Attach the media to the server.
4. Press F11 to enter the boot menu.
5. Select boot from USB stick, and allow the Intelligent provisioning package to update the firmware.
6. Once the upgrade is complete, press ESC to return to the main menu and reboot the system.

Update Firmware from System Utilities via Virtual Media

1. Put the iso in an accessible location over the network for the node.
2. Select Insert Media and check the boot on next reboot option for the iso on the virtual media page.
   
   
   
   
3. Reset the node and allow the install to complete.
   
   
   
   
4. Reboot the node into the installer/FVT.
5. Once complete, return to step 3 of the RUN FIELD VERIFICATION TOOL section to rerun FVT.  
6. Type 2 or VERIFY and hit ENTER to check the node configuration. If all fields pass, you may now proceed to install Qumulo Core.

INSTALL QUMULO CORE VIA THE USB KEY

1. Power on the node or perform a reboot.
2. Press the F11 key to enter the boot menu on the BIOS splash screen.
3. Type 2 to continue with the install and boot from the USB Installer key.
4. Select no when asked to change between RAID and HBA modes to proceed to the DESTROY ALL DATA page.
5. Type DESTROY ALL DATA (case-sensitive) to perform a clean install of Qumulo Core on your cluster. 

IMPORTANT! If you mistype DESTROY ALL DATA three times or type no, the installation will be aborted.

The node will automatically shut down once the installation of Qumulo Core is complete. At that time, remove the USB stick and press the power button to turn on the node. A successful install using the Qumulo Core USB Installer Key will boot the node to the End User Agreement page, the first step in creating a new cluster with Qumulo Core. Before you agree and continue, repeat the steps outlined above for each node that will be included in your Qumulo cluster.

CREATE A CLUSTER

Review the End User License Agreement, check the box to agree and click Submit.

1. Setup Cluster

1. Name the cluster.
2. Select the nodes for the cluster .
   • If any nodes are missing, verify that the node is currently running and on the same network

NOTE: The total capacity for the cluster is dynamically updated at the bottom of the page when selecting nodes.

2. Confirm cluster protection level

The recommended 2 or 3 drive protection level will be selected by default based on the cluster size and node type.

If Customize Protection Level is displayed, the option is available to increase the resilience of the system by selecting 3 drive protection. Keep in mind that selecting 3 drive protection will result in less capacity for the cluster.

NOTE: The option for selecting the drive protection level is only available at cluster creation and cannot be changed after the fact.

3. Create a password for your admin account

1. Type in the password for your admin account.
2. Retype the password to confirm.
3. Click Create Cluster.

To access the dashboard in the Qumulo Core UI remotely, use any node's IP address to connect via web browser.

For additional guidance on cluster configuration and getting started, reference the Qumulo Installation FAQ article for more details.

RESOLUTION

You should now be able to successfully prepare the nodes for installing Qumulo Core and create a cluster on HPE Apollo 4200 Gen9 hardware

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Qumulo Safety Instructions

Create a Qumulo Core USB Installer Key

Create a Qumulo Cluster with 2.7.10 and above

HPE Data Sheet

Qumulo Installation FAQ

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