Installing VMware ESXi and Deploying the Management VM

Overview

Before starting the installation process, download VMware ESXi and other VMware vSphere components needed for installation. Table 20 describes the installation media.

Table 20: Installation Media for VMware ESXi
Software	Description	Obtaining ISO
Stratus ztC EnduranceAutomated Uptime Layer with Smart Exchange for VMware vSphere	Stratus fault-tolerant system software and Management VM.	You do not need to download the ISO; it was already preloaded into the Standby OS at the factory in preparation for the system software installation.
VMware ESXi	VMware vSphere hypervisor	You must download the ISO.
Guest operating systems	Microsoft Windows, Red Hat Linux, Ubuntu, or other supported operating systems for installation in virtual machines. For more information about guest operating system support on ztC Endurance systems, see VMware Compatibility Guide: https://compatibilityguide.broadcom.com/	You must download the ISO.

Note: Broadcom^® has changed VMware licensing terms. If you need to activate a Stratus-supplied VMware perpetual license, read the information provided at the following website: https://www.stratus.com/go/vmware-activation/.

Notice:

The USB storage device used during the installation should meet the following requirements:

It should be a known brand of USB storage device to ensure a successful software installation. For example, Penguin Solutions has successfully tested software installation with SanDisk^® brand devices.

It should be a new USB storage device to avoid introducing malware to your system.

It should be formatted as NTFS and should have a capacity of at least 16 GB.

Downloading VMware vSphere Software

To download VMware vSphere software

Purchase a VMware vSphere license through Broadcom or an authorized reseller. If needed, contact Penguin Solutions Customer Service to determine the type of license necessary for your ztC Endurance system, system resources, and workload.
After you purchase the software, you receive a confirmation email that explains how to download the software that you ordered.
To install your ztC Endurance system for the first time, download the ISO image for VMware ESXi. You can download any other VMware vSphere software at your convenience.

Note: Ensure that you download an ISO image for ESXi 8.0 Update 1. Automated Uptime Layer with Smart Exchange for VMware vSphere Release 1.0.0.0 supports only VMware ESXi 8.0 Update 1.
After the download completes, copy the VMware ESXi ISO image to an NTFS-formatted USB storage device. This device is not intended to be bootable.
If applicable, set up a vCenter Server system to manage the license keys you received during registration, or prepare to enter a VMware ESXi license key in VMware Host Client or vSphere Web Client after installation. See the VMware vSphere documentation for more information.

Note: Keep your Software License Activation Code Certificates, license keys, and serial numbers in a safe place. You may need them even after the initial software installation for reinstallation or upgrade purposes.

II. Power On the ztC Endurance System and Log On

To power on the system and log on

If the ztC Endurance system is already powered on, go to step 2.

If the ztC Endurance system is not already powered on, turn on the monitor(s) and press the power button on the control-panel ear of the system (see Figure 60 for the location of the power button).

Figure 60: Power Button

1	Power button

Use the keyboard connected to compute module B to log on to the Standby OS as the zenadmin user with the default password zenadmin (or other credentials, if provided).

III. Create the Installation Configuration File (Optional)

Optionally (but recommended), create an installation configuration file, zen_config.yaml, that contains the configuration settings that you gathered.

Preparing the Installation Configuration File

You can optionally create an installation configuration file that contains all of the system settings you wrote down on the Password and Installation Settings Printable Worksheet. (Note that the installation configuration file does not contain your passwords; you are prompted for them on the command line.) This installation configuration file, zen_config.yaml, is a template file located in /opt/stratus/install that you modify for your specific configuration. This file allows you to enter all of the configuration entries before starting the BMC configuration or software installation, thus avoiding typing mistakes during the installation. This file is also useful if you intend to install more than one system with similar parameters.

You use the same installation configuration file as input to the BMC configuration script (bmc_config.sh), software installation script (install.sh), or network configuration script (net_config.sh). Using this file means that you do not need to manually enter configuration settings while those scripts run.

If you exit out of the software installation script before completing the installation process, the system automatically saves a copy of your latest configuration entries in a configuration file with a time-stamped file name in the current working directory.

Notes:

If you use an installation configuration file and leave some settings blank, the installation script prompts you on the command line for those settings.
In the installation configuration file, if you inadvertently enter multiple values for the same setting, the installation script uses the last setting listed in the file.

Example of the Installation Configuration File

An example of the zen_config.yaml template file follows. (Your template may contain minor differences.)

# SYSTEM INFORMATION
system_id:                                       # Use '$SYSTEM-ID$' to include in hostname construction
system_domain:                                   # Use '$SYSTEM-DOMAIN$' to include in hostname construction
system_nameserver:                               # Use '$NAMESERVER$ to use this for nameserver fields below or '--NONE--'

# Information shared by all components on the 1G ztC Endurance management network
# BMCs, Standby, Management VM
zenmgmt_gateway:                                 # IPV4/V6 address or None (for dhcp)
zenmgmt_netmask:                                 # IPV4 subnet address or None (for dhcp/ipv6/(if prefix supplied in ip))
zenmgmt_ipv6_prefix:                             # IPV6 prefix or None (for dhcp/ipv4/(if prefix supplied in ip))


# BMC
bmca_hostname: $SYSTEM-ID$bmca.$SYSTEM-DOMAIN$   # BMCA hostname (may be a fully qualified domain name)
bmcb_hostname: $SYSTEM-ID$bmcb.$SYSTEM-DOMAIN$   # BMCB hostname (may be a fully qualified domain name)
bmc_netproto:                                    # BMC IP protocol ('dhcp' or 'static')
bmca_eth0:                                       # BMC A eth 0 IPV4/V6 address(ipaddr/prefix) or None (for dhcp)
bmca_eth1:                                       # BMC A eth 1 IPV4/V6 address(ipaddr/prefix) or None (for dhcp)
bmcb_eth0:                                       # BMC B eth 0 IPV4/V6 address(ipaddr/prefix) or None (for dhcp)
bmcb_eth1:                                       # BMC B eth 1 IPV4/V6 address(ipaddr/prefix) or None (for dhcp)

# Standby
standbya_hostname:  $SYSTEM-ID$a.$SYSTEM-DOMAIN$ # Standby A hostname (may be a fully qualified domain name)
standbyb_hostname:  $SYSTEM-ID$b.$SYSTEM-DOMAIN$ # Standby B hostname (may be a fully qualified domain name)
standby_netproto:                                # Standby IP protocol ('dhcp' or 'static')
standbya_ipaddr_1:                               # Standby IPV4/V6 address(ipaddr/prefix) or None (for dhcp) for A eno1
standbya_ipaddr_2:                               # Standby IPV4/V6 address(ipaddr/prefix) or None (for dhcp) for A eno2
standbyb_ipaddr_1:                               # Standby IPV4/V6 address(ipaddr/prefix) or None (for dhcp) for B eno1
standbyb_ipaddr_2:                               # Standby IPV4/V6 address(ipaddr/prefix) or None (for dhcp) for B eno2
standby_nameserver: $NAMESERVER$                 # Standby IPV4/V6 address or '--NONE--' (for dhcp)

# ESX
esx_hostname: $SYSTEM-ID$.$SYSTEM-DOMAIN$        # ESX hostname (may be a fully qualified domain name)
esx_bootproto:                                   # IP protocol ('dhcp' or 'static')
esx_ipaddr:                                      # IPV4/V6 address(ipaddr/prefix) or None (for dhcp)
esx_gateway:                                     # IPV4/V6 address or None (for dhcp)
esx_netmask:                                     # IPV4 subnet address or None (for dhcp/ipv6/(if prefix supplied in ip))
esx_ipv6_prefix:                                 # IPV6 prefix or None (for dhcp/ipv4/(if prefix supplied in ip))
esx_nameserver: $NAMESERVER$                     # IPV4/V6 address or '--NONE
esx_keyboard:                                    # ESX keyboard type (e.g. US Default)
esx_iso:                                         # ESX ISO path/URL

# Management VM
mgmtvm_netproto:                                 # IP protocol ('dhcp' or 'static')
mgmtvm_ipaddr:                                   # IPV4/V6 address(ipaddr/prefix) or None (for dhcp)
mgmtvm_nameserver:      $NAMESERVER$             # IPV4/V6 address or '--NONE--'
mgmtvm_domainname:      $SYSTEM-DOMAIN$          # DNS suffix name or '--NONE--'
mgmtvm_name:            $SYSTEM-ID$-ZTCmgmt      # Management VM name (default: <ESXi hostname>-ZTCmgmt)

# ASN
asn_enabled:                                     # Indicates whether Support Notifications over ASN are enabled ('yes' or 'no')
asn_asset_id:                                    # Asset Identifier

# EOF

Creating the Installation Configuration File

The template installation configuration file is located in the Standby OS, which runs Linux. Therefore, you need to use a Linux-based text editor, such as nano or vi, to modify the file. See To create or modify zen_config.yaml with nano to learn how to use the nano text editor, which is installed on the Standby OS, to modify the file.

To learn more about the nano text editor, see help resources on the web. For example:

https://www.nano-editor.org/docs.php

Notes:

To use privileged commands in the zenadmin account, you need to add the sudo directive. If you open a file in nano without sudo, you cannot save the configuration file in its original, privileged directory.
In the examples, the dollar sign ($) is the command-line prompt; you do not type it.
When the Standby OS boots, you are in the zenadmin home directory, /home/zenadmin. To modify the zen_config.yaml file, you must change to the directory where the file is located: /opt/stratus/install.

To create or modify `zen_config.yaml` with `nano`

Change the directory from the zenadmin home directory to the directory where the template zen_config.yaml file is located.
```
$ cd /opt/stratus/install/ 
```
Save a copy of the existing template zen_config.yaml file as zen_config.yaml.orig.
```
$ sudo cp zen_config.yaml zen_config.yaml.orig 
```
Open the zen_config.yaml file with the nano text editor.
```
$ sudo nano zen_config.yaml  
```
When the file opens, use the arrow keys to navigate as you type the settings.

Note: The ^ characters shown on the bottom menu indicate the Ctrl key.
When you finish editing the file, press CtrlX , then press Y to save the changes or N to discard any changes to the file.

Additional considerations:

If you forgot to use the sudo directive, and the system does not allow you to save the configuration file, you can save your changes to a file in the /home/zenadmin directory. Later, you can specify the configuration file's path name on the command line, or you can simply specify its file name if /home/zenadmin is the current working directory.
When typing entries in the configuration file, you must add a space between the colon (:) and the entry text (for example, bmca_eth0: 10.10.40.32).
When you are typing and moving around the file, be careful not to insert any unsupported characters or text that would prevent the installation script from properly reading the file.
Avoid modifying the configuration file in other operating systems or word processors that might add unsupported line feeds or special characters. Use only a plain text editor such as nano.

IV. Transfer the ESXi ISO Image to the ztC Endurance System

To transfer the ESXi ISO image to the ztC Endurance system with a USB storage device

Mount a USB storage device in the Standby OS on compute module B:
1. Using the keyboard connected to compute module B, log on to the Standby OS as the zenadmin user with the default password zenadmin (or other credentials, if provided).
2. Connect the USB device to one of the USB 3.0 ports on compute module B. To locate the USB 3.0 ports, see Figure 23.
  
  Notice: Do not connect the USB device to the USB 2.0 port on the control-panel ear A module located at the front right of the ztC Endurance system. It houses a USB 2.0 port, power button for the ztC Endurance system, and LEDs that indicate system power status (PWR), fault conditions (ATTN), and module identification status (UID)..
3. Run the lsblk command to determine the Linux device name (in the format sdxx) for the USB storage device. In the following example, the output fragment shows that the USB storage device containing the ESXi ISO was assigned the device ID of /dev/sde1.
```
$ lsblk
.
.
sde		8.64	1  14.6G  0  disk
|__sde1	8:65	1  14.6G  0  part    <--- USB device ID
```
4. Create a directory as a mount point, and mount the USB storage device.
  
  Note: To use privileged commands in the zenadmin account, you need to add the sudo directive.
```
$ sudo mkdir -p /mnt/usb
$ sudo mount /dev/sde1 /mnt/usb
```
5. List the contents of the USB storage device to confirm that the ESXi ISO is present. For example:
```
$ ls /mnt/usb
VMware-VMvisor-Installer-n.n-nnnnnnnn.x86_64.iso
```
Copy the ESXi ISO file to the Standby OS on compute module B:
1. Copy the ESXi ISO to the /opt/stratus/install directory on the Standby OS. For example:
```
$ sudo cp /mnt/usb/VMware-VMvisor-Installer-n.n-nnnnnnnn.x86_64.iso /opt/stratus/install
```
2. Confirm that the ISO is present in that directory. (Note that the following example shows only the ESXi ISO file, although the directory contains other files.)
```
$ ls /opt/stratus/install
VMware-VMvisor-Installer-n.n-nnnnnnnn.x86_64.iso
```
3. Unmount the USB storage device so that you can safely disconnect it from the compute module.
```
$ sudo umount /mnt/usb
```
4. Confirm that the downloaded ISO's checksum matches the MD5 ISO checksum listed on the Broadcom website (https://support.broadcom.com/).

V. Configure BMC Network Settings

Overview

Run the Baseboard Management Controller (BMC) configuration script, bmc_config.sh, as described in To configure the BMC network settings. Running the BMC configuration script configures the network settings for the BMCs in the ztC Endurance system. You can also configure the BMC network settings in the system BIOS configuration utility, but the BMC configuration script simplifies the changes and allows you to change the configuration on a running system.

Notices:

If you do not run the BMC configuration script, the system automatically uses DHCP settings for the BMC network addresses and retains the default BMC Web console password.
If you choose to run the BMC configuration script post-installation, you will also need to run the network configuration script (net_config.sh).

Notes:

If you have the BMC Web console open for either compute module when you change network settings with the BMC configuration script, you will lose your connections. You need to reconnect to the new addresses you entered in the script or configuration file.
Although the software-installation script also prompts for changes to the same BMC settings, it is best to modify these settings with the BMC configuration script to prevent network disruptions during the installation procedure.
If you need to modify DDNS settings, use the DNS Configuration page of the BMC Web Console.

The BMC configuration script is located in /opt/stratus/bin/bmc_config.sh.

BMC configuration script usage:

Usage : bmc_config.sh {options}
Options:
-h            prints this menu
-u url        url with ISO image location
-f filename   path to ISO image
-y filename   path to configuration yaml file

Run the BMC configuration script with the installation configuration file (zen_config.yaml) to avoid manually entering the configuration settings when running the script.

Note: If you run the bmc_config.sh script with the zen_config.yaml file, the BMC configuration settings are saved in a new .yaml file with a date and time stamp (for example, config_26042023_180016.yaml). You can then use the new .yaml file with the software installation script (install.sh).

Configuring the BMC Network Settings.

To configure the BMC network settings

Start the BMC configuration script by running one of the following commands:

Note: To use privileged commands in the zenadmin account, you need to add the sudo directive.
- If you created the installation configuration file: sudo /opt/stratus/bin/bmc_config.sh -y /opt/stratus/install/zen_config.yaml
  
  (In the preceding command, if you installed zen_config.yaml in a different directory, specify that directory instead.)
- If you did not create the installation configuration file and want to respond to prompts for each setting: sudo /opt/stratus/bin/bmc_config.sh {options}
The BMC configuration script loads any existing settings from the installation configuration file and begins prompting for input.

Note: If you already entered the settings into the installation configuration file, the BMC configuration script prompts only for the settings you have not entered.
The BMC configuration script prompts for the BMC configuration settings. Type new values for the settings you need to change and press Enter to continue. To accept an existing value, leave the field blank and press Enter. Repeat until the script displays Confirm input.
The BMC configuration script displays a summary of the settings you entered and prompts you to apply the settings or prompt for each setting again to make any corrections. Do one of the following:
- To accept the settings that you entered and apply them to the BMCs, type y and press Enter.
- To display each prompt again with passwords hidden, type n and press Enter. For each prompt, type any changes and press Enter to continue.
- To display each prompt again with passwords in clear text, type unhide. For each prompt, type any changes and press Enter to continue.
The BMC configuration script begins to implement the BMC settings that you specified, and then exits.
View the output to confirm that the BMC configuration script completed successfully.

VI. Installing VMware ESXi

Overview

After running the BMC configuration script, run the installation script, install.sh, as described in To install VMware ESXi and Automated Uptime Layer. Running the installation script automatically:

Installs VMware ESXi
Deploys the Management VM
Installs Automated Uptime Layer components
Mirrors the pair of system disks
Mirrors any additional disk pairs in the system, if present

If you want to create a file that already contains the configuration settings needed for the BMC configuration process and software installation process, see Preparing the Installation Configuration File. You can specify this file for input when running the BMC configuration script, software installation script, or network configuration script.

The installation script is located in /opt/stratus/bin/install.sh.

Installation script usage:

Usage : install.sh {options}
Options:
-h            prints this menu
-u url        url with AUL-SE installer image location
-f filename   path to AUL-SE installer ISO image
-y filename   path to configuration yaml file

Note: To use privileged commands in the zenadmin account, you need to add the sudo directive.

To run the installation script with no configuration file (prompts for each setting):

sudo /opt/stratus/bin/install.sh -f /opt/stratus/install/zen-aul-se-vmw-n.n.n.n-nnn.iso

To run the installation script with a configuration file that already contains settings:

sudo /opt/stratus/bin/install.sh -y /opt/stratus/install/zen_config.yaml

In the preceding command, if you installed zen_config.yaml in a different directory, specify that directory instead.

If you exit out of the installation script before completing the installation process, the system automatically saves a copy of your latest configuration entries in a configuration file with a time-stamped file name in the current working directory.

The software installation takes approximately 60 minutes.

Installing VMware ESXi and AUL-Smart Exchange

To install VMware ESXi and Automated Uptime Layer

Start the software installation script by running the following command:

$ sudo /opt/stratus/bin/install.sh -y /opt/stratus/install/zen_config.yaml

(In the preceding command, if you installed zen_config.yaml in a different directory, specify that directory instead.)

The software installation script loads any existing settings from the installation configuration file and begins prompting for input.
Read the ztC Endurance EULA. To accept the terms and continue, type y and Enter to continue.
Read the ztC Endurance Service Terms and Conditions. To accept the terms and continue, type y and Enter.
The software installation script runs. If you already entered the settings into the installation configuration file, the installation script prompts only for the settings you have not entered. For any settings that you need to enter, see the settings you wrote down on the Password and Installation Settings Printable Worksheet.
1. When prompted to configure the BMC network interfaces:
  - If you have already run bmc_config.sh, type n , and press Enter.
  - If you have not already run bmc_config.sh, type y to configure the interfaces now or n to configure them later, and press Enter.
    
    Notice: If you are connected to the console of the compute module through the BMC Web console, you will lose your connection if you change the BMC network settings. If applicable, consider configuring the BMC network settings at a later time as described in To configure the BMC network settings or Updating Network IP Configuration Settings.
2. Type the new BMC Web console admin password, the ztC Endurance Management zenadmin password, and the ESXi root password. Type each password and press Enter to continue.
3. If you chose to configure the BMC network interfaces now, type the BMC hostnames. Type each entry and press Enter to continue.
4. Type the BMC network protocol, dhcp or static, and press Enter.
5. If you selected dhcp, skip to the next step; otherwise, if you selected static, type the four BMC IP addresses. Type each entry and press Enter to continue.
6. Type the Standby hostnames for each compute module. Type each entry and press Enter to continue.
7. Type the Standby network protocol, dhcp or static, and press Enter.
8. If you selected dhcp, skip to the next step; otherwise, if you selected static, type the four Standby IP addresses and name server, if applicable. Type each entry and press Enter to continue.
9. Type the ESXi hostname and press Enter.
10. Type the ESXi network protocol, dhcp or static, and press Enter.
11. If you selected dhcp, skip to the next step; otherwise, if you selected static, type the ESXi IP address, gateway, netmask, and name server, if applicable. Type each entry and press Enter to continue.
12. Type the number for your keyboard type, and press Enter. For example, for the US Default keyboard, type 26 and press Enter.
13. Type the file path or URL to the ESXi ISO and press Enter. For example, if you copied the ESXi ISO to the Standby OS as described in To transfer the ESXi ISO image to the ztC Endurance system with a USB storage device , the file path would be similar to:
  
  /path/VMware-VMvisor-Installer-n.nUn-nnnnnnnn.x86_64.iso.
14. Type the ztC Endurance Management VM hostname and press Enter.
15. Type the Management VM network protocol, dhcp or static, and press Enter.
16. If you selected dhcp, skip to the next step; otherwise, if you selected static, type the domain name, IP address, and name server for the Management VM. Type each entry, and press Enter to continue.
17. Type the ztC Endurance Management Network gateway, netmask, and IPv6 prefix, if applicable. Type each entry, and press Enter to continue.
18. Choose if you want to enable Support Notifications over the ASN. Type y or n and press Enter.
  
  Activating Support Notifications over the ASN allows the ztC Endurance system to send health and status notifications to Penguin Solutions Customer Service over a secure Internet connection.
19. Type the Asset ID to your system (zennnnn), which is printed on a label located on the top of the system chassis, as shown in Installing the System in a Cabinet. Press Enter.
The software installation script displays a summary of the settings you entered and prompts you to begin the installation or prompt for each setting again to make any corrections. Do one of the following:
- To accept the settings that you entered and begin the installation, type y and press Enter. The installation begins immediately.
- To display each prompt again with passwords hidden, type n and press Enter. For each prompt, type any changes and press Enter to continue.
- To display each prompt again with passwords in clear text, type u or unhide. For each prompt, type any changes and press Enter to continue.
After you confirm your input, the installation script begins to implement the settings that you specified and verify that all system components are ready and properly configured for installation.
Read the VMware EULA. To accept the terms and continue, type y and Enter.

After you accept the VMware EULA, the installation script continues the implementation and verification process.
When prompted to continue installing ESXi, type y and Enter to proceed.
The installation script automatically installs ESXi, deploys the Management VM, and begins configuring the system software. The script reboots compute module A up to three times while it completes the configuration steps, begins mirroring the pair of system disks, and then mirrors any other pairs of data disks in the system.
Upon successful installation of the system, the software installation script displays the current system settings as well as the addresses for the ztC Endurance console and the ESXi Host Client. If you have not already done so, make note of the settings now to ensure that you have this information.

The software installation script also displays the Installation completed successfully. message.

Product Support Penguin Solutions Customer Service Phone: (US Toll-Free) 866-763-1813 Phone: (International) 602-852-3094	About Penguin Solutions Advanced Computing Lab 5 Mill and Main Place Suite 500 Maynard, MA 01754-2660 978-461-7000 Contact Penguin Solutions
Product Documentation (PDF Format) ztC Endurance 3xx0, 5xx0, and 7xx0 Systems: User's Guide (VMware) (R003C) ztC Endurance 3xx0, 5xx0, and 7xx0 Systems: Deploying a System (R002C)	About Help Help created at 12:27 PM on 11/17/2025. Notice and Copyrights

Installing VMware ESXi and Deploying the Management VM

Overview

Downloading VMware vSphere Software

To download VMware vSphere software

To power on the system and log on

To create or modify zen_config.yaml with nano

To transfer the ESXi ISO image to the ztC Endurance system with a USB storage device

Overview

Configuring the BMC Network Settings.

To configure the BMC network settings

Overview

Installing VMware ESXi and AUL-Smart Exchange

To install VMware ESXi and Automated Uptime Layer

Next Steps

To create or modify `zen_config.yaml` with `nano`