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Server setup checklist

Use the server setup checklist to ensure that you have performed all tasks that are required to set up your server.

The server setup procedure varies depending on the configuration of the server when it was delivered. In some cases, the server is fully configured and you just need to connect the server to the network and an ac power source, and then you can power on the server. In other cases, the server needs to have hardware options installed, requires hardware and firmware configuration, and requires an operating system to be installed.

The following steps describe the general procedure for setting up a server:

  1. Unpack the server package. See Server package contents.

  2. Set up the server hardware.

    1. Install any required hardware or server options. See the related topics in Install server hardware options.

    2. If necessary, install the server into a standard rack cabinet by using the rail kit shipped with the server. See the Rack Installation Guide that comes with optional rail kit.

    3. Connect the Ethernet cables and power cords to the server. See Rear view to locate the connectors. See Cable the server for cabling best practices.

    4. Power on the server. See Power on the server.
      Note

      You can access the management processor interface to configure the system without powering on the server. Whenever the server is connected to power, the management processor interface is available. For details about accessing the management server processor, see:

      Lenovo ThinkSystem System Manager User Guide

    5. Validate that the server hardware was set up successfully. See Validate server setup.

  3. Configure the system.

    1. Connect the ThinkSystem System Manager to the management network. See Set the network connection for the BMC.

    2. Update the firmware for the server, if necessary. See Update the firmware.

    3. Configure the firmware for the server. See Configure the firmware.

      The following information is available for RAID configuration:

    4. Install the operating system. See Deploy the operating system.

    5. Back up the server configuration. See Back up the server configuration.

    6. Install the applications and programs for which the server is intended to be used.