Cluster Installation Overview

You must perform several basic steps to complete the installation of your cluster. However, because of the various HPCS purchase options from HP, these steps might vary slightly for each scenario.

	NOTE: To install HPCS, you must be logged in as a user with domain administrative privileges.

HPCS is either preloaded on the server hard drive before the server is shipped to you or located on the CDs that came with the server. If the operating system is preloaded on the server disk drive, the latest drivers are also preloaded and integrated with the operating system.

	NOTE: Currently, the preconfigured clusters do not configure the InfiniBand hardware. Current Windows 2008 InfiniBand drivers have not released signed drives. Because the drivers are still in beta, they are subject to frequent changes. Users must manually configure the IB stack after the cluster is installed.

	IMPORTANT: If your sever has a factory-installed operating system, do not boot from the HP SmartStart CD when powering on the server for the first time. Only use the SmartStart CD if you must reinstall the operating system.