Quick Start Guide: HPE Apollo 4200 Gen10

IN THIS ARTICLE

Outlines how to prepare HPE Apollo 4200 Gen10 nodes and create a cluster with Qumulo Core

REQUIREMENTS

• HPE Apollo 4200 Gen10 hardware installed
• Latest HPE Service Pack for ProLiant installed
• Qumulo Core USB Installer Key

For additional details on the HPE Apollo 4200 Gen10 server, reference the HPE Apollo 4200 Gen10 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.

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.
   
   
   

RUN FIELD VERIFICATION TOOL

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

1. After rebooting, the Field Verification Tool starts automatically and should take about a minute.
   
   
   
   
2. The test results display once it has concluded.
   
   
   
   
3. Review the results. If you see an FVT passed! message, proceed to the Installing Qumulo Core section later in this document. If FAIL messages are present, review the example below to determine the appropriate course.
   

FVT FAIL EXAMPLE

If your FVT attempt fails, you will be prompted to select whether you wish to allow the FVT to auto-correct the detected issues.

Mismatches that can be auto-corrected include:

• Bios config
• Drive firmware
• NIC mode for CX5
• Boot order

When presented with this menu, select option 1 to have the tool attempt an auto-correct. If the fixes are successful, the FVT will automatically reboot the node. Return to the Boot To The Qumulo Core USB Installer Key section earlier in this document to re-attempt verification and continue the install.

NOTE: If the FVT is unable to auto-correct the failures, please reach out to Qumulo Care for additional troubleshooting options.

FVT PASS EXAMPLE

INSTALL QUMULO CORE

Now that the server has verified it is ready to be configured, you can start to install Qumulo Core.

1. Select whether you wish to install with or without encryption.
2. When prompted, type "DESTROY ALL DATA" to confirm that all data will be destroyed on the server.
3. If you selected Install Qumulo Core with encryption in Step 1, enter your crypto login password and master encryption key following the guidelines displayed.
   NOTE: This key must be stored in a secure location for the lifetime of the cluster!
   
4. Wait for the installation to complete and the server to reboot.

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 Gen10 hardware

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Qumulo Safety Instructions

Create a Qumulo Core USB Installer Key

Create a Qumulo Cluster with 2.7.10 and above

Qumulo Installation FAQ

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