Preparing to Install the System Software
Perform the following steps before you install the system software:
I. Install and Connect the System Hardware
II. Review the Preinstallation Checklist
III. Determine Which Software Installation Procedure to Perform
If you have not already done so, install and connect the ztC Endurance system hardware as described in Installing and Connecting the ztC Endurance System Hardware, and then complete the system hardware set-up.
To complete the system hardware set-up
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In both I/O modules, connect network cables from the bottom two 10G PORT2 ports to a production network and from the 1G MGMT port to a management network. Figure 56 shows the location of the network ports on the rear of the system.
Figure 56: Location of Network Ports
1 10G ports (4)
2 1G MGMT ports (2)
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Connect two monitors and two keyboards to ports on the system as described in Connecting Peripherals. Figure 57 shows the location of the ports on the front of the system.
Notices:-
Do not connect the mouse or keyboard to the USB 2.0 port on the control-panel ear.
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Because the installation requires you to respond to prompts on both compute modules, connecting two monitors and keyboards means that you can view the activities on both compute modules simultaneously. If you can connect only one monitor and keyboard, you need to open a separate KVM console for each compute module.
Figure 57: Location of VGA and USB Ports
1 Debug ports (2)
3 USB 3.0 ports (4) 2 VGA (monitor port) (2)
4 USB 2.0 port (1)
Note: No mouse is needed for the local console of the system, because the Standby OS has a text-based user interface. -
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For both PSUs, connect power cords from the power inlets to supported power sources. For more information, see Connecting the System to Electrical Power.
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Insert a blank disk into the top-left slot of each storage module to install as system disks. (See Disk Drives if you need additional information.) These disks should have the same model, firmware level, and geometry. At this time, do not install any disks that contain data in order to prevent possible problems.
Review the following checklist before you install the system software.
Preinstallation Checklist
Gather and record the site-specific settings listed on the worksheets in Gathering Information. The installation and configuration scripts require this information.
Make sure you have a Stratus Service Portal account. If you do not already have an account, register for one at https://service.stratus.com.
Make sure you have the asset ID for your system (zenxxxxx) available, as you need to enter it during the installation. (You recorded it earlier in Installing the System in a Cabinet.)
Check that you have the most current Release Notes: Automated Uptime Layer with Smart Exchange Release 2.0.0.0 (Windows) and software installation topics for your distribution. To restore your installation, make sure you have the appropriate version of the release level that you will restore.
Prepare to accept the end-user license agreements (EULAs) that are presented during the installation process. To locate and read the text of the EULAs you must accept before installing Automated Uptime Layer with Smart Exchange, see End-User License Agreements and Warranty. You should not perform the installation if you cannot accept the EULAs or are not authorized to accept them. The installation process terminates if you decline any EULAs.
Consider whether you want to enable Support Notifications over the ASN. Activating Support Notifications over the ASN allows the ztC Endurance system to send health and status notifications to Stratus Customer Service over a secure Internet connection.
With the ztC Endurance system halted, detach most peripheral devices from the system (exceptions are noted below). Devices to detach include:
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Unsupported PCIe adapters
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External storage systems
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USB devices, except for the keyboard, mouse, and USB storage device that you use to copy the Windows ISO during a full system software installation
Notice: The installation process cannot accommodate the presence of customer-added or unknown hardware. Add any such hardware, and configure the system to support it, only after completing the installation and verifying that the system functions as expected.
The software installation procedure you perform depends on whether your company opted to have Stratus install the system software at the factory.
If you do not know whether Stratus installed the system software at the factory, check the sales order. If you do not have the sales order, perform the following procedure.
To determine which software installation procedure to perform
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Turn on the monitor(s) and press the power button on the control-panel ear of the system (see Figure 58 for the location of the power button).
1 Power button -
When the system boots, determine which of the following scenarios applies to your system:
- The system software was installed at the factory if the system automatically boots the Standby OS on both modules, reboots the Windows OS on compute module A, and the Hello there window appears.
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The system software was not installed at the factory if the system automatically boots the Standby OS on both modules and then does nothing else.
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Power down the system by briefly pressing the power button again.
Next Steps
Perform the appropriate system software installation procedure:
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If Stratus installed the system software at the factory, see Starting a Factory-Installed System for the First Time.
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If Stratus did not install the system software at the factory, see Performing a Full System Software Installation.