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End-to-End Deployment Guide with Switchless Networking: Microsoft HCI Solutions from Dell Technologies
Notes, cautions, and warnings Copyright Deployment Introduction Solution Overview Solution Deployment
Solution Deployment
Solution deployment introduction
Deployment prerequisites
Predeployment configuration
Operating system deployment
Install roles and features
Verifying firmware and software compliance with the support matrix
Update out-of-box drivers
Change the hostname
Registry settings
PAL and DPOR registration for Azure Stack
Joining cluster nodes to an Active Directory domain
Introduction to network integration Switchless Architecture Additional guidance for all configurations Deploying and Configuring a Host Cluster References GPU Integration Persistent Memory for Windows Server HCI Day 1 operations Managing and monitoring clusters with Windows Admin Center Dell OpenManage Integration with Windows Admin Center Updates and maintenance

Predeployment configuration

Predeployment configuration

  • Before deploying AX nodes, complete the required predeployment configuration tasks.

    Complete the following predeployment configuration before deploying the Azure Stack HCI solution.
    Note: If the cluster has persistent memory devices, preoperating-system deployment configuration, as well as post-operating-system deployment configuration is required. For more information, see Appendix: Persistent Memory for Azure Stack HCI.


    Configuring network switches


    Configuring iDRAC and BIOS

    The AX nodes are factory-configured with optimized system BIOS and iDRAC settings. This preconfiguration eliminates the need for you to manually configure the settings to a recommended baseline.

    The iDRAC in AX nodes can be configured to obtain an IP address from DHCP or can be assigned a static IP address. When the OOB network in the environment does not provide DHCP IP addresses, you must manually set a static IPv4 address on each iDRAC network interface. You can access the physical server console to set the addresses by using KVM or other means.


    Configure BIOS settings including the IPv4 address for iDRAC

    Perform these steps to configure the IPv4 address for iDRAC. You can also perform these steps to configure any additional BIOS settings.

    1. During the system boot, press F12.
    2. At System Setup Main Menu, select iDRAC Settings.
    3. UnderiDRAC Settings, select Network.
    4. Under IPV4 SETTINGS, atEnable IPv4, select Enabled.
    5. Enter the static IPv4 address details.
    6. Click Back, and then click Finish.

    Configure QLogic NICs

    The QLogic FastLinQ 41262 network adapter supports both iWARP and RoCE.

    When used with the QLogic network adapters, the AX nodes are validated only with iWARP. Manually configure the adapter to enable iWARP based on the chosen network configuration.

    Perform the following steps to configure the QLogic network adapter for each port.
    1. During system startup, press F2 to enter System Setup.
    2. Click System BIOS and select Device Settings.
    3. Select the QLogic network adapter from the list of adapters.
    4. Click Device Level Configuration and ensure that Virtualization Mode is set to None.
    5. Click Back, and then click NIC Configuration.
    6. On the NIC Configuration page, select the following options:
      • Link Speed: SmartAN
      • NIC + RDMA Mode: Enabled
      • RDMA Operational Mode: iWARP
      • Boot Protocol: None
      • Virtual LAN Mode: Disabled
    7. Click Back, and then click Data Center Bridging (DCB) Settings.
    8. On the Data Center Bridging (DCB) Settings page, set DCBX Protocol to Disabled.
    9. Click Back, click Finish, and then click Yes to save the settings.
    10. Click Yes to return to the Device Settings page.
    11. Select the second port of the QLogic adapter and repeat the preceding steps.
    12. Click Finish to return to the System Setup page.
    13. Click Finish to reboot the system.