Getting Started Guide: K-432T

IN THIS ARTICLE

This article explains how to rack your K-432T nodes and create a Qumulo Core cluster.

REQUIREMENTS

Before you begin, review the Qumulo safety instructions and the K-432 technical specifications . Ensure that you have compatible network cabling (fiber or twinaxial), power cords, and rack rails. This platform requires Qumulo Core 4.2.6 or later.

TO INSTALL THE RAILS

Before you begin, see the rail installation instructions for removing and installing the inner rail.

Important: Unlike other rail systems, these rails don't extend fully and remain stationary in the racks. Use caution when installing or removing nodes.

1. To verify the installation side of the rack, use the FRONT LEFT and FRONT RIGHT hardware labels.
   
   
2. Press the release lever on the front end while aligning the rail to the holes on the rack.
   
   
3. To secure the rail, release the lever.
   
   
4. To install the rear of the rail, repeat these steps.

TO RACK A NODE

1. Remove the screws that lock the drive trays on both sides of the node.
   Important: To prevent the drive drawers from locking, remove the screws before racking the node.
   
   
2. Align the back of the node with the rails.
   
   
3. Slide the node into the rack completely.
   
   
4. To secure the node to the rack, tighten the two thumbscrews at the front.
   

TO INSTALL DRIVES

1. To expose the HDDs, press the drawer latch on the front of the node and pull on the drive drawer handle.
   
   
2. Insert the drives that shipped with your node into the drawer, connector side first.
   Important:
   • When the drive drawer is full, it is very heavy. Adding extra weight (for example, leaning or resting tools on the drawer) can cause the rails to deform.
   • To avoid scraping drives because of low clearance between the drawers, pull out one drive drawer at a time and don't apply vertical force to the drawer.
   • If the drive drawer feels stuck, don't use force. Instead, correct the level of the drawer to allow it to pass over the drives underneath.
3. Confirm that all HDDs are seated firmly in the drive drawer.
4. Push the drive drawer until its latch clicks.
5. Repeat these steps for the other drive drawers.

TO CONNECT AND POWER ON A NODE

1. Attach network cables to the 100 Gbps NIC ports, power cables to the PSUs, and an Ethernet cable to the out-of-band management (IPMI) port. For more information, see Qumulo C-Series Networking.
   Important: Don't use the Ethernet ports to the right of the USB ports.
   
   
2. Connect a display, a keyboard, and a mouse to one of your nodes.
3. To turn on your nodes, pressing the power button on the front.
   
   

TO CREATE AND ACCESS A CLUSTER

1. When the End User Agreement is displayed, review it, click I agree to the End User Agreement, and then click Submit.
2. On the Set up cluster page, enter a Cluster Name and then select four (or more) nodes to add to your cluster.
   As you select nodes, the total capacity for the cluster is updated at the page dynamically.
   Note: If any nodes are missing, check that the node is powered on and is on the same network as the others.
   
3. On the Confirm cluster protection level page, 2- or 3-drive protection is selected by default depending on your cluster size and node type. If Customize Protection Level is displayed, you can increase the resilience of your cluster by selecting 3-drive protection.
   Important: This option is available only during cluster creation. You can't change it later. Selecting this option decreases the capacity of your cluster.
   
4. On the Create a password for your admin account page, enter and re-enter a password and then click Create Cluster.
5. To access the Qumulo Core Web UI, enter the IP address of any node into a web browser. For more information, see Qumulo Core Web UI Browser Compatibility.

For more information about configuring your cluster and getting started with Qumulo Core, see Qumulo Installation FAQ.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Note: Rack rails range in length from 28.5" to 36". The nodes are 33” deep without cable management. To account for heat airflow and PSU positioning, we recommend 46" to 48" rack depth.