Tasks To Perform Before Running the cluster_config Utility

Required Task: Install Software Patches

This release requires additional software packages and patches to be applied after the head node is installed and the cluster_prep command has configured the external Ethernet device on the head node.

HP requires that you install all patches for this release; selective installation is not recommended. HP XC patches are available at the HP It Resource Center Web site:

http://www.itrc.hp.com/

Instructions for registering on this Web site and the procedure for downloading patches are located in the HP XC System Software Installation Guide.

Required Task: Configure the BMC Password On Itanium Systems

“Required Task: Install Software Patches” instructed you to install and download all available software patches for this release. The PK01 patch for Version 3.0 upgraded the ipmitool utility on your system as well as introduced some new functionality. After you install the PK01 patch, you must configure the BMC password on Itanium systems. This is a one-time only task.

The ipmitool enables communication with the firmware that supports IPMI access through a separate connection to a hardware platform for remote management. A full implementation enables you to inquire into platform specifics and control some platform functions (power management, for example).

In order to connect to the IPMI on an HP Integrity system, you must set the BMC password to the same value as the console password. The information in this section describes how to configure the BMC password. On all nodes, the BMC password must be the same as the management processor (MP) password.

The head node console port may be either internally or externally connected to the HP XC system. Follow the procedure that is appropriate for your system.

Setting the BMC/IPMI Password When There is an External Connection to the Head Node Management Port

When there is an external connection to the head node management port, follow this procedure to allow access to the head node's management port through the external IP address and synchronize the management port passwords:

	Note: In the following command line examples, substitute the internal node name of your head node for the variable headnode (for example, n144) .

1. Use the text editor of your choice to add the following line to the /etc/hosts file:

   external-ip-address cp-headnode

   See hosts(5) for information on the /etc/hosts file.

2. Enter one of the following commands to use the ipmitool to set the BMC password.

   	Important: The command you use to set the management port password differ depending on whether or not the IPMI password has been configured (that is, if the password is null):

   • If the IPMI password has been configured previously, enter the following command:

     pdsh -a -x "headnode" 'ipmitool -I lan -P "oldpassword" \ -H cp-$(nodename) user set password 1 newpassword'

   • If the IPMI password has never been configured, enter the following command:

     pdsh -a -x "headnode" 'ipmitool -I lan -P "" \ -H cp-$(nodename) user set password 1 newpassword'

     The default password setting is a null ("").

     	Note: Setting the password returns a message similar to the following, which can be ignored: Close Session command failed

Setting the BMC/IPMI Password When There is an Internal Connection to the Head Node Management Port

If the head node console port is connected internally, use the following ipmitool command line to synchronize the console management port password throughout the HP XC system:

# pdsh -a 'ipmitool -I lan -P "oldpassword" \ -H cp-$(nodename) user set password 1 newpassword'

Save the Contents of the /etc/dhcpd.conf File

This note applies only to systems using a Myricom or QsNet^II interconnect. Skip this task if your system uses another interconnect type.

Appendix D in the HP XC System Software Installation Guide instructs you to configure the interconnect switch line monitoring cards before the system is configured. Part of the procedure involves adding entries to the /etc/dhcpd.conf file.

The cluster_config utility rewrites the /etc/dhcpd.conf file, and if you edit this file before running the utility, your changes to this file are lost.

Therefore, enter this command to save your customizations to the /etc/dhcpd.conf file before running the cluster_config utility:

# cp /etc/dhcpd.conf /etc/dhcpd.conf.ORIG

Required Task on HP xw9300 Client Nodes: Remove acpi=off

HP xw9300 workstations do not need to be booted with acpi=off. Currently, the acpi=off option is added automatically to the boot options of any imaged xw9300 client node.

Follow this procedure to prevent this: