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Installing the operating system

Use these instructions to install the operating system on an upper or lower compute node.

Note
The upper and lower compute nodes operate independently and each must have its own operating system installed.
Provisioning is the set of actions that you take to install the operating system. To install the operating system on a compute node, you can use any of the following methods:

  • IBM ServerGuide Setup and Installation CD

    Use the ServerGuide Setup and Installation CD to install a supported MicrosoftWindows operating system only. To provision a compute node with an operating system by using the ServerGuide Setup and Installation CD, complete the following steps:

    1. Download the ServerGuide Setup and Installation CD ISO image to a computer that is connected over the management network to the Flex System Manager management software (if installed) that is managing the compute node.
    2. Connect to the Flex System Manager management software that is managing the Flex System chassis in which the compute node is installed.
    3. From Flex System Manager Chassis Manager, select the compute node. In the Actions column, select Remote Control.
      Note
      The user ID that you use to log in to Flex System Manager management software must have sufficient user permissions to manage the compute node.
    4. From the Remote Control session, mount the ServerGuide Setup and Installation CD bootable media (using Remote Media). When the ServerGuide program prompts you to mount the operating-system image, unmount the ServerGuide Setup and Installation CD and mount the operating-system image.

      You can also install an ISO image of the operating system from an external or portable storage device, such as a USB device, by using Remote Media. For more information, see "Installing an operating system on an X-Architecture compute node".

    5. Start the compute node to boot the media and install the operating system.

  • IBM ToolsCenter Bootable Media Creator

    Use IBM ToolsCenter Bootable Media Creator to create an IBMServerGuide Setup and Installation CD for deploying Windows operating systems and updates from UpdateXpress System Packs. For more information about the IBM Bootable Media Creator, see the Bootable Media Creator (BoMC) for Lenovo x86 servers website.

    To provision a compute node with an operating system by using IBM ToolsCenter Bootable Media Creator, complete the following steps:

    1. Download IBM ToolsCenter Bootable Media Creator to a computer that is connected over the management network to the Flex System Manager management software (if installed) that is managing the compute node.
    2. Connect to the Flex System Manager management software that is managing the Flex System chassis in which the compute node is installed.
    3. From Flex System Manager Chassis Manager, select the compute node. In the Actions column, select Remote Control.
      Note
      The user ID that you use to log in to Flex System Manager management software must have sufficient user permissions to manage the compute node.
    4. From the Remote Control session, mount the ServerGuide Setup and Installation CD bootable media (using Remote Media). When the ServerGuide program prompts you to mount the operating-system image, unmount the ServerGuide Setup and Installation CD and mount the operating-system image.

      You can also install an ISO image of the operating system from an external or portable storage device, such as a USB device, by using Remote Media. For more information, see "Installing an operating system on an X-Architecture compute node".

    5. Start the compute node to boot the media and install the operating system.

  • Flex System Manager management software

    You can use Flex System Manager management software (if installed) to deploy operating system and virtual images to multiple compute nodes that do not already have an operating system installed. This function is limited to deploying VMware ESXi and RHEL Kernel-based Virtual Machine (KVM) hypervisors to X-Architecture compute nodes. For more information, see "Provisioning compute nodes".

  • IBM ServerGuide Scripting Toolkit

    The ServerGuide Scripting Toolkit is a collection of system-configuration tools and installation scripts that you can use to deploy software to your compute node in a repeatable, predictable manner (see Using Lenovo ServerGuide Scripting Toolkit).

  • Operating-system installation instructions

    Download the latest operating-system installation instructions and install the operating system.

Important: The operating system in the compute node must provide USB support for the compute node to recognize and use the keyboard, mouse, and removable-media drives.

  • Using the ServerGuide Setup and Installation CD
    The ServerGuide Setup and Installation CD provides software setup tools and installation tools that are designed for your compute node. The ServerGuide program detects the compute node model and optional hardware devices that are installed and uses that information during setup to configure the hardware. The ServerGuide program simplifies operating-system installations by providing updated device drivers and, in some cases, installing them automatically.
  • Using Lenovo ServerGuide Scripting Toolkit
    The ServerGuide Scripting Toolkit is a collection of system-configuration tools and installation scripts that you can use to deploy software to your Flex System compute node in a repeatable, predictable manner. When the ServerGuide Scripting Toolkit is used with Lenovo ServerGuide, it provides a total solution for deploying Flex System compute nodes in an unattended mode.