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Configuring the blade server

There are several components on the blade server that you can configure and several methods for configuring those components.

Note
If you intend to use a scalable blade complex in single partition mode, you must partition the complex before you turn on the blade servers or begin the configuration process. See Partitioning a scalable blade complex for information.

Typically, you complete the following steps to configure the blade server:

  1. Configure the Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) firmware for the blade server.
    You can configure the UEFI firmware by using the Setup utility or the Advanced Settings Utility (ASU). For more information about the Setup utility, see Using the Setup utility. For more information about ASU, see Using the Advanced Settings Utility (ASU).
    Note
    For more information about firmware configuration options, see http://www.ibm.com/systems/support/supportsite.wss/docdisplay?lndocid=MIGR-5083207&brandind=5000008.
  2. Set the boot protocol.
    To set the boot protocol, use either the Setup Utility or the Preboot Execution Environment (PXE) boot agent utility program. For more information about the PXE boot agent utility program, see Using the PXE boot agent utility program.
    Note
    You can temporarily redefine the boot order by using the Boot menu program that is provided with the blade server firmware
  3. Configure the RAID array.
    You can install up to two solid state drives in the blade server and implement RAID level-0 (striping) or RAID level-1 (mirror) arrays in operating systems that are listed on the ServerProven list at the http://www.ibm.com/ servers/eserver/serverproven/compat/us/. For the blade server, you must configure the RAID by using the LSI Configuration Utility program.
    Note
    If you are implementing a scalable blade complex in single partition mode, you cannot combine the SSD in both the primary and the secondary server to define a RAID array. RAID arrays can be defined using only the SSDs within a blade server.

    If an optional RAID expansion card is installed, you can use it to control all the storage drives that are installed in the blade server. See the documentation that comes with the expansion card for information about how to configure the RAID array.

    Important: You must create the RAID array before you install the operating system on the blade server.

  4. Configure the integrated management module (IMM).
    To configure the IMM, use either the Setup utility or the Advanced Settings Utility (ASU).
  5. Update the blade server firmware. For more information about updating blade server firmware, see Updating firmware and device drivers
    If you are performing inband updates to firmware on blade servers operating as a single partition in a scalable blade complex, see Updating firmware for blade servers operating as a single partition. If you are updating firmware for blade servers that are operating as independent partitions in a scalable blade complex or you are performing out-of-band updates to firmware for blade servers in a scalable blade complex, see Updating firmware for each blade server independently.
  6. Use IBM FastSetup
    IBM FastSetup is a no-cost software tool that helps simplify the maintenance and deployment of selected IBM BladeCenter chassis, servers, and components. The intuitive graphical interface initializes all phases of server setup, including discovery, update, and configuration. Features include templates that enable replication of settings to many servers and automation that reduces hands-on time and user errors. Wizards and other default settings enable customization capabilities. The low-touch, set-once and walk-away feature reduces the hands-on server setup time from days to minutes, particularly for larger deployments. For information about this tool, see http://www.ibm.com/support/entry/portal/docdisplay?brand=5000008&lndocid=TOOL-FASTSET.

After you configure the blade server, you can install the operating system and update device drivers (see Installing the operating system for more information).

  • Partitioning a scalable blade complex
    Before you configure the blade servers that are part of a scalable blade complex operating in single partition mode, you must partition the scalable blade complex.
  • Using the Setup utility
    Use these instructions to start the Setup utility.
  • Using the PXE boot agent utility program
    Use the Preboot Execution Environment (PXE) boot agent utility program to select the boot protocol and other boot options and to select a power-management option.
  • Using the Boot Selection Menu program
    The Boot Selection Menu program is a built-in, menu-driven configuration utility program that you can use to temporarily redefine the first startup device without changing settings in the Setup utility.
  • Using the Advanced Settings Utility (ASU)
    You can use the Advanced Settings Utility (ASU) to modify firmware settings from the command line on multiple operating systems, such as Linux, Windows, and Windows Professional Edition (PE).
  • Using the LSI Logic Configuration Utility program
    Use these instructions to start the LSI Logic Configuration Utility program.
  • Updating firmware and device drivers
    IBM periodically makes UEFI code, service processor (IMM) firmware, diagnostic firmware updates, and device driver updates available for the blade server. Several methods are available to update the firmware for the blade server.
  • Recovering from a UEFI update failure
    Use this information to recover from a UEFI update failure in the blade server.
  • Installing the operating system
    Use these instructions to install the operating system on the blade server.
  • Accessing the IMM
    Unlike a baseboard management controller, the IMM does not require IPMI device drivers or USB daemons for in-band IMM communication. Instead, a LAN over USB interface enables in-band communications to the IMM; the IMM hardware on the system board presents an internal Ethernet interface from the IMM to the operating system. LAN over USB is also called the USB in-band interface in the IMM web interface.