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Chapter 10. Preparing IBM Power Systems

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10.1. Preparing a RHEL installation on IBM Power System LC servers

10.1.1. Supported IBM Power System LC servers

You can install Red Hat Enterprise Linux on the following IBM Power Systems LC servers.

  • 8335-GCA (IBM Power System S822LC)
  • 8335-GTA (IBM Power System S822LC)
  • 8335-GTB (IBM Power System S822LC)
  • 8001-12C (IBM Power System S821LC)
  • 8001-22C (IBM Power System S822LC for Big Data)
  • 9006-12P (IBM Power System LC921)
  • 9006-22P (IBM Power System LC922)

10.1.2. Overview of installation process on IBM Power System LC servers

Use this information to install Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 on a non-virtualized or bare metal IBM Power System LC server.

The installation workflow follows these general steps:

  • Check the system requirements
  • Download the required installation ISO image
  • Create an installation boot medium
  • Complete the prerequisites and boot the firmware
  • Connect to the BMC firmware to set up network connection
  • Connect to the BMC firmware with IPMI
  • Choose the installation boot method:

    • Booting the installation from a USB device
    • Booting the installation using the Baseboard Management Controller
  • Install Red Hat Enterprise Linux

10.1.3. Completing the prerequisites and booting your firmware

Before you power on the system, ensure that you have the following items:

  • Ethernet cable
  • VGA monitor. The VGA resolution must be set to 1024x768-60Hz.
  • USB Keyboard
  • Power cords and outlet for your system.

    • PC or notebook that has IPMItool level 1.8.15 or greater. (Verifying this piece of info)
    • Bootable USB device

Complete these steps:

  1. If your system belongs in a rack, install your system into that rack. For instructions, see IBM Power Systems information at https://www.ibm.com/support/knowledgecenter/.
  2. Connect an Ethernet cable to the embedded Ethernet port next to the serial port on the back of your system. Connect the other end to your network.
  3. Connect your VGA monitor to the VGA port on back of system.
  4. Connect your USB keyboard to an available USB port.
  5. Connect the power cords to the system and plug them into the outlets.

At this point, your firmware is booting. Wait for the green LED on the power button to start flashing, indicating that it is ready to use. If your system does not have a green LED indicator light, then wait 1 to 2 minutes.

10.1.4. Setting up network connection with the firmware

To set up or enable your network connection to the baseboard management controller (BMC) firmware, use the Petitboot bootloader interface. Follow these steps:

  1. Power on your server using the power button on the front of your system. Your system will power on to the Petitboot bootloader menu. This process takes about 1 - 2 minutes to complete. Do not walk away from your system! When Petitboot loads, your monitor will become active and you will need to push any key in order to interrupt the boot process.
  2. At the Petitboot bootloader main menu, select Exit to Shell.
  3. Run ipmitool lan print 1. If this command returns an IP address, verify that is correct and continue. To set a static IP address, follow these steps:

    1. Set the mode to static by running this command: ipmitool lan set 1 ipsrc static
    2. Set your IP address by running this command: ipmitool lan set 1 ipaddr ip_address where ip_address is the static IP address that you are assigning to this system.
    3. Set your netmask by running this command: ipmitool lan set 1 netmask netmask_address where netmask_address is the netmask for the system.
    4. Set your gateway server by running this command: ipmitool lan set 1 defgw ipaddr gateway_server where gateway_server is the gateway for this system.
    5. Confirm the IP address by running the command ipmitool lan print 1 again.

      This network interface is not active until after you perform the following steps:

  4. To reset your firmware, run the following command: ipmitool mc reset cold.

    This command must complete before continuing the process; however, it does not return any information. To verify that this command has completed, ping your system BMC address (the same IP address used in your IPMItool command). When the ping returns successfully, continue to the next step.

    1. If your ping does not return successfully within a reasonable amount of time (2 - 3 minutes), try these additional steps:

      1. Power your system off with this command: ipmitool power off.
      2. Unplug the power cords from the back of the system. Wait 30 seconds and then apply power to boot BMC.

10.1.5. Powering on your server with IPMI

Intelligent Platform Management Interface (IPMI) is the default console to use when connecting to the OPAL firmware.

Use the default values for IPMI:

  • Default user: ADMIN
  • Default password: admin
Note

After your system powers on, the Petitboot interface loads. If you do not interrupt the boot process by pressing any key within 10 seconds, Petitboot automatically boots the first option. To power on your server from a PC or notebook that is running Linux, follow these steps:

  1. Open a terminal program on your PC or notebook.
  2. To power on your server, run the following command:

    ipmitool -I lanplus -H server_ip_address -U ipmi_user -P ipmi_password chassis power on

    where server_ip_ipaddress is the IP address of the Power system and ipmi_password is the password set up for IPMI.

    Note

    If your system is already powered on, continue to activate your IPMI console.

  3. Activate your IPMI console by running this command

    ipmitool -I lanplus -H server_ip_address -U ipmi_user -P ipmi_password sol activate
Note

Use your keyboard up arrow to display the previous ipmitool command. You can edit previous commands to avoid typing the entire command again. If you need to power off or reboot your system, deactivate the console by running this command:

ipmitool -I lanplus -H server_ip_address -U user-name -P ipmi_password sol deactivate

To reboot the system, run this command:

ipmitool -I lanplus -H server_ip_address -U user-name -P ipmi_password chassis power reset

10.1.6. Choose your installation boot method on IBM LC servers

You can either boot the Red Hat Enterprise Linux installation from a USB device or through virtual media.

To boot the installation from a USB device, see Configuring Petitboot for installation with USB device

To boot the installation through virtual media, see Access BMC Advanced System Management interface to configure virtual media.

10.1.6.1. Configuring Petitboot for installation with USB device

After the system powers on, the Petitboot bootloader scans local boot devices and network interfaces to find boot options that are available to the system. For information about creating a bootable USB device, see Creating a bootable DVD or CD.

Use one of the following USB devices:

  • USB attached DVD player with a single USB cable to stay under 1.0 Amps
  • 8 GB 2.0 USB flash drive

Procedure

Follow these steps to configure Petitboot:

  1. Insert your bootable USB device into the front USB port. Petitboot displays the following option:

    [USB: sdb1 / 2015-10-30-11-05-03-00]
        Rescue a Red Hat Enterprise Linux system (64-bit kernel)
        Test this media & install Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8  (64-bit kernel)
     *  Install Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 (64-bit kernel)
    Note

    Select Rescan devices if the USB device does not appear. If your device is not detected, you may have to try a different type.

  2. Record the UUID of the USB device. For example, the UUID of the USB device in the above example is 2015-10-30-11-05-03-00.
  3. Select Install Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 (64-bit kernel) and press e (Edit) to open the Petitboot Option Editor window.
  4. Move the cursor to the Boot arguments section and add the following information:

    inst.stage2=hd:UUID=your_UUID
    where your_UUID is the UUID that you recorded.
    Petitboot Option Editor
    qqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqq
    
      Device:    ( ) sda2 [f8437496-78b8-4b11-9847-bb2d8b9f7cbd]
                 (*) sdb1 [2015-10-30-11-05-03-00]
                 ( ) Specify paths/URLs manually
    
                         Kernel:         /ppc/ppc64/vmlinuz
                         Initrd:         /ppc/ppc64/initrd.img
                         Device tree:
                         Boot arguments: ro inst.stage2=hd:UUID=2015-10-30-11-05-03-00
    
                            [    OK    ]  [   Help   ]  [  Cancel  ]
  5. Select OK to save your options and return to the Main menu.
  6. Verify that Install Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 (64-bit kernel) is selected and then press Enter to begin your installation.

10.1.6.2. Access BMC Advanced System Management interface to configure virtual media

Baseboard Management Controller (BMC) Advanced Systems Management is a remote management controller used to access system information, status, and other process for your server. You can use the BMC Advanced Systems Management to set up your installation and provide the CD image as virtual media to the Power System. However, the actual installation requires a serial-over-LAN (SOL) connection through IPMI.

To access the BMC Advanced Systems Management, open a web browser to http://ip_address where ip_address is the IP address for the BMC. Log in using these default values:

  • Default user name: ADMIN
  • Default password: admin

In order to fully use the BMC Advanced Systems Management, you need to add the IP address of the BMC firmware to the Exceptions list in the Java Control Panel of your laptop or PC. On a Windows system, this is usually located by selecting Control Panel > Control Panel for Java.

On a Linux system, this is usually located by selecting the Control Center and then selecting the Java web browser plugin.

After accessing the Control Panel for Java, select Security tab. Then add the IP address of the BMC firmware to the Exceptions list, by clicking Edit Site List and then clicking Add. Enter the IP address and click OK.

To create a virtual CD/DVD, follow these steps:

  1. Log into the BMC Advanced Systems Management interface from a PC or notebook using the default user name and password.
  2. Select Remote Control > Console Redirection.
  3. Select Java Console. As the console opens, you might need to direct your browser to open the jviewer.jnlp file by selecting to Open with Java Web Start and click OK. Accept the warning and click Run.
  4. In the Console Redirection window, select Media > Virtual Media wizard from the menu.
  5. In the Virtual Media wizard, select CD/DVD Media:1.
  6. Select CD Image and the path to the Linux distribution ISO file. For example, /tmp/RHEL-7.2-20151030.0-Server-ppc64el-dvd1.iso. Click Connect CD/DVD. If the connection is successful, the message Device redirected in Read Only Mode is displayed.
  7. Verify that CD/DVD is shown as an option in Petitboot as sr0:

           CD/DVD: sr0
                           Install
                           Repair
    Note

    Select Rescan devices if CD/DVD does not appear.

  8. Select Install. Ater selecting Install, your remote console may become inactive. Open or reactivate your IPMI console to complete the installation. Be patient! It can sometimes take a couple minutes for the installation to begin.

10.2. Preparing a RHEL installation on IBM Power System AC servers

This section describes how to install Red Hat Enterprise Linux on the IBM Power Systems accelerated server.

10.2.1. Supported IBM Power System Accelerated Servers

You can install RHEL on the following IBM Power System AC servers:

  • 8335-GTG (IBM Power System AC922)
  • 8335-GTH (IBM Power System AC922)
  • 8335-GTX (IBM Power System AC922)

10.2.2. Overview of installation process on IBM Power System Accelerated Servers

Use this information to install Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 on non-virtualized or bare metal IBM Power System Accelerated Servers

The installation workflow involves the following general steps:

  • Check system requirements
  • Download the required installation ISO image
  • Create an installation boot medium
  • Connect to the BMC firmware to set up network connection
  • Power on your server
  • Choose the installation boot method:

    • Booting the installation from a USB device
    • Booting the installation from a network
  • Install Red Hat Enterprise Linux

10.2.3. Completing the prerequisites and booting your firmware

Before you power on the system, ensure that you have the following items:

  • Ethernet cable
  • VGA monitor with resolution set to 1024x768-60Hz
  • USB Keyboard
  • Power cords and outlet for your system

These instructions require you to have a network server set up with Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8. To do so, download Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 at Software Download page on the Customer Portal by following the steps below:

  1. Log in to your Red Hat account (if you have not already done so).
  2. Select Downloads for Red Hat Enterprise Linux for Power, little endian in the Product Variant list.
  3. Select the correct version in the Version list, next to the Product Variant list.
  4. Click Download Now beside the Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8.x DVD_ ISO file in the Product Software tab.

Once Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 is downloaded, complete the steps below to boot your firmware:

  • Optional: If your system belongs in a rack, install your system into that rack. For instructions, see IBM Power Systems information at https://www.ibm.com/support/knowledgecenter/POWER9/p9hdx/POWER9welcome.htm.
  • Connect an Ethernet cable to the embedded Ethernet port next to the serial port on the back of your system. Connect the other end to your network.
  • Connect your VGA monitor to the VGA port on the back of the system.
  • Connect your USB keyboard to an available USB port.
  • Connect the power cords to the system and plug them into the outlets.

At this point, your firmware is booting. Wait for the green LED on the power button to start flashing, indicating that it is ready to use. If your system does not have a green LED indicator light, then wait from 1 to 2 minutes to finish the firmware booting successfully.

10.2.4. Setting up network connection with the firmware

To set up or enable your network connection to the BMC firmware, use the Petitboot bootloader interface. Follow these steps:

  1. Power on your server using the power button on the front of your system. Your system will power on to the Petitboot bootloader menu. This process usually takes about 1 - 2 minutes to complete, but may take 5 - 10 minutes on the first boot or after a firmware update. Do not walk away from your system! When Petitboot loads, your monitor will become active and you will need to push any key in order to interrupt the boot process.
  2. At the Petitboot bootloader main menu, select Exit to Shell.
  3. Run ipmitool lan print 1. If this command returns an IP address, verify that is correct and continue to step 4. If no IP addresses are returned, follow these steps:

    1. Set the mode to static by running this command:

      ipmitool lan set 1 ipsrc static
    2. Set your IP address by running this command:

      ipmitool lan set 1 ipaddr _ip_address_

      Where ip_address is the static IP address that you are assigning to this system.

    3. Set your netmask by running this command:

      ipmitool lan set 1 netmask _netmask_address_

      Where netmask_address is the netmask for the system.

    4. Set your gateway server by running this command:

      ipmitool lan set 1 defgw ipaddr _gateway_server_
      Where gateway_server is the gateway for this system.
    5. Confirm the IP address by running the command ipmitool lan print 1 again.

      Note

      This interface is not active until after you perform the following steps.

    6. To reset your firmware, run the following command:

      ipmitool raw 0x06 0x40.

      This command must complete before continuing the process; however, it does not return any information. To verify that this command has completed, ping your system BMC address (the same IP address used in your IPMItool command). When the ping returns successfully, continue to the next step.

      Note

      Note: If your ping does not return successfully within a reasonable amount of time (2 - 3 minutes), try these additional steps

    7. Power your system off with this command: poweroff.h.
    8. Unplug the power cords from the back of the system. Wait 30 seconds and then apply power to boot BMC.

10.2.5. Powering on your server with OpenBMC commands

Note

After your system powers on, the Petitboot interface loads. If you do not interrupt the boot process by pressing any key within 10 seconds, Petitboot automatically boots the first option.

To power on your server from a PC or notebook that is running Linux, follow these steps:

  • Default user name: root
  • Default password: 0penBmc (where, 0penBMC is using a zero and not a capital O)

    1. Open a terminal program on your PC or notebook.
    2. Log in to the BMC by running the following commands.

      ssh root@<BMC server_ip_address>
      root@<BMC server password>

      Where BMC server_ip_address is the IP address of the BMC and BMC server password is the password to authenticate.

    3. To power on your server, run the following command:

      $ root@witherspoon:~# obmcutil poweron
    4. Connect to OS console and use the default password 0penBmc.

      ssh -p 2200 root@<BMC server_ip_address> root@

Where BMC server_ip_address is the IP address of the BMC and BMC server password is the password to authenticate.

10.2.6. Choose your installation boot method on IBM accelerated servers

You can either boot the Red Hat Enterprise Linux installation from a USB device or through the network.

10.2.6.1. Configuring Petitboot for network installation

After the system powers on, the Petitboot bootloader scans local boot devices and network interfaces to find boot options that are available to the system. To install Red Hat Enterprise Linux from a network server, you need to set up a network interface (that is not the BMC network interface).

Set up a network connection and provide the network boot detail to Petitboot by following these steps:

  1. Connect an Ethernet cable to the second Ethernet port on the back of your system. Connect the other end to your network.
  2. On the Petitboot main screen, select c to configure your system options.
  3. In the Network field of the configuration screen, enter your network information:

    1. Select your network type
    2. Select your network device (remember the interface name and mac address)
    3. Specify your IP/mask, Gateway, and DNS server (remember these setting as you will need them in the next step)
    4. Select OK to return to the main menu.
  4. Back on the Petitboot main screen, select n to create new options.
  5. Choose your boot device or select to Specify paths/URLs manually and then enter your boot options:

    1. In the Kernel field, enter the path to the kernel. This field is mandatory. Enter a URL similar to this one for a network:

      http://<http_server_ip>/ppc/ppc64/vmlinuz
    2. In the Initrd field, enter the path to the init ramdisk. Enter a URL similar to this one for a network:

      http://<http_server_ip>/ppc/ppc64/initrd.img
    3. In the Boot parameter field, set up the set up the repository path and the IP address of the server where the operating system is installed. For example:

      inst.repo=http://<http_server_ip>/<path> ifname=<ethernet_interface_name>:<mac_addr> ip=<os ip>::<gateway>:<2 digit mask>:<hostname>:<ethernet_interface_name>:none nameserver=<name_server>

      You can accept the defaults for the rest of the fields.

  6. After you set your netboot options, select OK and press Enter.
  7. On the Petitboot main window, select User Item 1 as your boot option and press Enter.

10.2.6.2. Configuring Petitboot for installation with USB device on accelerated servers

After the system powers on, the Petitboot bootloader scans local boot devices and network interfaces to find boot options that are available to the system. For information about creating a bootable USB device, see Creating a bootable DVD or CD.

Use one of the following USB devices:

  • USB attached DVD player with a single USB cable to stay under 1.0 Amps
  • 8 GB 2.0 USB flash drive

Follow these steps to configure Petitboot:

  1. Insert your bootable USB device into the front USB port. Petitboot displays the following:

    [USB: sdb1 / 2015-10-30-11-05-03-00]
    
        Rescue a Red Hat Enterprise Linux system (64-bit kernel)
        Test this media & install Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8  (64-bit kernel)
    
      *  Install Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 (64-bit kernel)
    Note

    Select Rescan devices if the USB device does not appear. If your device is not detected, you may have to try a different type.

  2. Record the UUID of the USB device. For example, the UUID of the USB device in the above example is 2015-10-30-11-05-03-00.
  3. Select Install Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 (64-bit kernel) and press e (Edit) to open the Petitboot Option Editor window.
  4. Move the cursor to the Boot arguments section and add the following information:

           inst.text inst.stage2=hd:UUID=your_UUID
           where your_UUID is the UUID that you recorded.
           Petitboot Option Editor
    qqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqq
    
                         Device:    ( ) sda2 [f8437496-78b8-4b11-9847-bb2d8b9f7cbd]
                                         (*) sdb1 [2015-10-30-11-05-03-00]
                                         ( ) Specify paths/URLs manually
    
                         Kernel:         /ppc/ppc64/vmlinuz
                         Initrd:         /ppc/ppc64/initrd.img
                         Device tree:
                         Boot arguments: ro inst.text inst.stage2=hd:UUID=2015-10-30-11-05-03-00
    
                            [    OK    ]  [   Help   ]  [  Cancel  ]
  5. Select OK to save your options and return to the Main menu.
  6. Verify that Install Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 (64-bit kernel) is selected and then press Enter to begin your installation.

10.2.7. Completing your RHEL installation on IBM AC servers

After you select to boot the Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 installer, the installation program walks you through the steps.

  1. Complete the installation program for Red Hat Enterprise Linux to set up disk options, your user name and password, time zones, and so on. The last step is to restart your system.

    Note

    While your system is restarting, remove the USB device.

  2. After the system restarts, Petitboot displays the option to boot Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8. Select this option and press Enter.

10.3. Preparing a RHEL installation on IBM Power System L servers

This section describes how to install Red Hat Enterprise Linux on the IBM L servers.

10.3.1. Supported IBM Power System L servers

You can install RHEL on the following IBM Power System L servers:

  • 8247-22L (IBM Power System S822L)
  • 8247-21L (IBM Power System S812L)
  • 8247-42L (IBM Power System S824L)

For a list of supported distributions, see Supported Linux distributions for POWER8 and POWER9 Linux on Power systems.

10.3.2. Overview of installation process on IBM Power System L servers

Use this information to install RHEL on non-virtualized or bare metal IBM Power System L servers.

The installation workflow involves the following general steps:

  • Complete prerequisites
  • Connect to the ASMI

    • Connect using DHCP
    • Connect using Static IP
  • Enable IPMI
  • Power on your server with IPMI

    • Connect from Linux notebook
    • Connect from Windows notebook
  • Configure Petitboot and install Red Hat Enterprise Linux

10.3.3. Completing the prerequisites and booting your firmware on L server

Before you install Red Hat Enterprise Linux, ensure that you have the following items:

  • Ethernet cable
  • VGA monitor. The VGA resolution must be set to 1024x768-60Hz.
  • USB Keyboard
  • Power cords and outlet for your system

Before you power on the system, follow these steps:

  • If your system belongs in a rack, install your system into that rack. For instructions, see IBM Power Systems information at https://www.ibm.com/support/knowledgecenter/.
  • Remove the shipping brackets from the power supplies. Ensure that the power supplies are fully seated in the system
  • Access the server control panel.
  • Connect the power cords to the system and plug them into the outlets.

At this point, your firmware is booting. Wait for the green power LED on the control panel to start flashing, indicating that it is ready to use, and for the prompt 01 N OPAL T to appear on the display.

10.3.4. Connecting to Advanced System Management Interface

You can connect to Advanced System Management Interface (ASMI) using DHCP or a static IP address.

10.3.4.1. Connecting to ASMI with DHCP

To connect to the Advanced System Management Interface (ASMI) you need to set up your network connection. You can set up DHCP or static IP.

Use this type of connection if you are using DHCP. Use these steps to find the IP address of the service processor and then connect with the ASMI web interface. If you know what IP address that your server is using, complete step 1 and then skip to Step 5: Enabling

  1. Connect an Ethernet cable to the HMC1 or HMC2 port on the back of your Power system to your DHCP network.
  2. Access the control panel for your server.
  3. Scroll to function 02 using Increment (↑) or Decrement (↓) buttons (up and down arrows) and then press Enter.
  4. Move the cursor to the N by pressing Enter. The display looks like this example: 02 A N< T
  5. Change N to M to start manual mode using the Increment (↑) or Decrement (↓) buttons. The display looks like this example: 02 A M< T
  6. Press Enter twice to exit the mode menu.
  7. Scroll to function 30 using Increment or Decrement buttons
  8. Press Enter to enter subfunction. The display looks like this example: 30**
  9. Use the Increment (↑) or Decrement (↓) buttons to select a network device. 3000 displays the IP address that is assigned to ETH0 (HMC1). 3001 displays the IP address that is assigned to ETH1 (HMC2)
  10. Press Enter to display the selected IP address. Be sure to record this IP address.
  11. Use the Increment (↑) or Decrement (↓) buttons to select subfunction exit (30**).
  12. Press Enter to exit subfunction mode.
  13. Scroll to 02 using Increment (↑) or Decrement (↓) buttons and press Enter.
  14. Change the mode to N. The display looks like this example: 02 A N< T

10.3.4.2. Connecting to ASMI with static IP address

Use this type of connection if you are using a static IP address. This connection configures a console interface to the ASMI.

  1. Connect an Ethernet cable from the PC or notebook to the Ethernet port labeled HMC1 on the back of the managed system.
  2. Set your IP address on your PC or notebook to match the default values on your Power system. IP address on PC or notebook:
169.254.2.140 Subnet mask: 255.255.255.0
The default IP address of HMC1: 169.254.2.147
Note

The default values of HMC1 are already set and you do not need to change them. If you want to verify the IP address, follow the steps in Connecting to ASMI with DHCP to find the IP addresses with the control panel.

If you are running Linux on your PC or notebook, set your IP address by following these steps:

  1. Log in as root.
  2. Start a terminal session.
  3. Run the follow command: ifconfig -a. Record these values so that you can reset your network connection later.
  4. Type ifconfig ethx 169.254.2.140 netmask 255.255.255.0. Replace ethx with either eth0 or eth1, depending on what your PC or notepad is using.

If you are running Windows 7 on your PC or notebook, set your IP address by following these steps:

  1. Click Start > Control Panel.
  2. Select Network and Sharing Center.
  3. Click the network that is displayed in Connections.
  4. Click Properties.
  5. If the Security dialog box is displayed, click Continue.
  6. Select Internet Protocol Version 4.
  7. Click Properties.
  8. Select Use the following IP address.
  9. Use 169.254.2.140 for IP address and 255.255.255.0 for Subnet mask.
  10. Click OK > Close > Close
Note

If HMC1 is occupied, use HMC2. Use IP address 169.254.3.140 and Subnet mask: 255.255.255.0 on your PC or notebook. The default IP address of the HMC2 is 169.254.3.147.

10.3.5. Enabling IPMI

This section contains information about enabling IPMI.

Procedure

  1. The first time that you connect to the firmware, enter the admin ID admin and password admin. After you log in, you will be forced to change the password. Be sure to record this password!
  2. From the main menu, select System Configuration→Firmware Configuration. Verify that OPAL is selected as your Hypervisor Mode.
  3. Follow these steps to set a password for your IPMI session:

    1. From the main menu, select Login Profile Change Passwords.
    2. Select IPMI from the list of user IDs.
    3. Enter the current password for the administrator (set in step 2) and then enter and confirm a password for IPMI.
    4. Click Continue.
  4. If your Power system is not using DHCP, you need to configure Network access. From the main menu, select Network Services > Network Configuration. To configure network access, follow these steps:

    1. From the Network Configuration display, select IPv4 and Continue.
    2. Select Configure this interface?
    3. Verify that IPv4 is enabled.
    4. Select Static for the type of IP address.
    5. Enter a name for the host system.
    6. Enter an IP address for the system.
    7. Enter a subnet mask.
    8. At the bottom of the page, enter a default gateway, Domain name, and IP address for the DNS server.
    9. After you set the values for the Network configuration, click Continue.
    10. Click Save Settings.
    11. If you connected with a PC or notebook, you can remove the Ethernet cable from your PC or notebook and connect it to the network switch. To continue with a console connection, change the default IP address to the IP address that you assigned to the service processor.

10.3.6. Powering on your L server with IPMI

Intelligent Platform Management Interface (IPMI) is the default console to use when you configure your Power system. If you are using a Linux notebook or PC, use the ipmitool utility. If you are using a Windows notebook or PC, use the ipmiutil utility.

As the system powers up, you might notice the following actions:

  • System reference codes appear on the control panel display while the system is being started.
  • The system cooling fans are activated after approximately 30 seconds and accelerate to operating speed.
  • The power LED on the control panel stops flashing and remains on, indicating that system power is on.

After your system powers on, the Petitboot interface loads. If you do not interrupt the boot process by pressing any key within 10 seconds, Petitboot automatically boots the first option.

10.3.6.1. Powering on your system from a notebook or PC running Linux

To power on your server from a notebook or PC running Linux, follow these steps:

  1. Open a terminal program.
  2. To power on your server, run the following command:

    ipmitool -I lanplus -H fsp_ip_address -P _ipmi_password_ power on

    Where ipaddress is the IP address of the Power system and ipmi_password is the password set up for IPMI.

  3. Immediately activate your IPMI console by running this command:

    ipmitool -I lanplus -H fsp_ip_address -P ipmi_password sol activate
    Tip

    Use your keyboard up arrow to display the previous ipmitool command. You can edit previous commands to avoid typing the entire command again.

Note

If you need to restart your system, follow these steps:

  1. Deactivate the console by running this command:

    ipmitool -I lanplus -H fsp_ip_address -P ipmi_password sol deactivate
  2. Power your system off with this command:

     ipmitool -I lanplus -H fsp_ip_address -P ipmi_password power off
  3. Power your system on with this command:

     ipmitool -I lanplus -H fsp_ip_address -P ipmi_password power on
Note

If you have not already done so, insert your DVD into the DVD drive or confirm the installer image in your network

10.3.6.2. Powering on your system from a notebook or PC running Windows

To power on your server from a notebook or PC running Windows, follow these steps:

  1. Open a command prompt and change the directory to C:\Program Files\sourceforge\ipmiutil
  2. To power on your server, run the following command

    ipmiutil power -u -N ipaddress -P ipmi_password

    Where ipaddress is the IP address of the Power system and ipmi_password is the password set up for IPMI.

  3. Immediately activate your IPMI console by running this command:

     ipmiutil sol -a -r -N ipaddress -P ipmi_password
Tip

Use your keyboard up arrow to display the previous ipmiutil command. You can edit previous commands to avoid typing the entire command again.

Note

If you need to restart your system, follow these steps: . Deactivate the console by running this command:

ipmiutil sol -d -N ipaddress -P ipmi_password
  1. Power your system off with this command:
ipmiutil power -d -N ipaddress -P ipmi_password
  1. Power your system on with this command:
ipmiutil power -u -N ipaddress -P ipmi_password
Note

If you have not already done so, insert your DVD into the DVD drive or confirm the installer image in your network.

10.3.7. Configuring Petitboot and installing Red Hat Enterprise Linux

After the system powers on, the Petitboot boot loader scans local boot devices and network interfaces to find boot options that are available to the system. If you do not have network connectivity or the installation DVD in the disk drive, no boot options are listed.

Important

As shown in the following example, for Power Systems servers, Petitboot lists any identified encrypted devices in the boot menu, even if there are no boot options associated with the devices. The encrypted devices can be ignored when selecting the boot device. In this example, disk, system, and device indicate your specific disk, system, and device information.

Petitboot (v1.11)
 [Disk: sda2 / disk ]
    Red Hat Enterprise Linux (system) 8.x
*[Encrypted Device: rhel device / device

  System information
  System configuration
  System status log
  Language
  Rescan devices
  Retrieve config from URL
  Plugins (0)
  Exit to shell

Procedure

  1. From the Petitboot window, verify that you are booting Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 from the DVD drive.
  2. Select the required Red Hat Enterprise Linux installer boot option and press Enter.
  3. The installation process starts.
Note

If you do not interrupt the boot process by pressing any key within 10 seconds after the Petitboot window appears, Petitboot automatically boots the first option.

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