Installation of the cluster begins with the creation of a bootstrap node. The bootstrap node is necessary to create the persistent control plane that is managed by the master nodes. After the initial minimum cluster with at least three master and two worker nodes is operational, you can remove the bootstrap node and convert it to a worker node if required.
To create a bootstrap node:
- Connect to the iDRAC of the bootstrap node and open the virtual console.
- From the iDRAC console, power on the bootstrap node.
- Ensure that the ens2f0 interface is set for PXE boot:
- Press F2 to enter System Setup.
- Select Device Settings > NIC in Slot 2 Port 1 > NIC Configuration.
- From the Legacy Boot Protocol menu, select PXE.
- Select Finish to return to System Setup.
- Select System BIOS > Network Settings.
- Under UEFI PXE Settings, select Enable PXE Device and 1. Select PXE Device1 Settings.
- From the interface drop-down menu, select NIC in Slot2 Port1 Partition 1.
- Save your changes and reboot the node.
The system boots automatically into the PXE network and displays the PXE menu, as shown in the following figure:

Figure 3. iDRAC console PXE menu
- Select bootstrap, and then perform the following steps after node installation is complete but before the node automatically reboots into the PXE:
- Press F2 to enter System Setup.
- Select System BIOS > Boot Settings > UEFI Boot Settings > UEFI Boot Sequence.
- Select PXE Device 1 and click -.
- Repeat the preceding step until PXE Device 1 is at the bottom of the boot menu.
- Click OK and then click Back.
- Click Finish and save the changes.
- Let the node boot into the hard drive where the operating system is installed.
- After the node comes up, check that the hostname in the iDRAC console is displayed as bootstrap.

Figure 4. iDRAC console bootstrap node
- As user core in CSAH, run ssh bootstrap to ensure that the proper IP address is assigned to bond0.
- From the CSAH node, as user core, ssh to the bootstrap node and verify that ports 6443 and 22623 are listening.
Allow approximately 30 minutes for the ports to show up as listening. If the ports are not up and listening after that time, reinstall the bootstrap by repeating the preceding steps.
[core@csah ~]$ ssh bootstrap sudo ss -tulpn | grep -E '6443|22623'
tcp LISTEN 0 128 *:6443 *:* users:(("kube-etcd-signe",pid=9150,fd=3))
tcp LISTEN 0 128 *:22623 *:* users:(("machine-config-",pid=8924,fd=5))