Setting up the IBM Flex System Manager management node

The Management Server Setup wizard enables you to configure the IBM® Flex System Manager management software for your network.

Before you begin

Before you use the Management Server Setup wizard to configure network settings, consider whether you want to assign static IP addresses to system-management elements or use a DHCP server to assign IP addresses to these elements dynamically. System-management elements include Chassis Management Modules (CMMs), Integrated Management Modules (IMMs), System-management processors, and network switches. To assign IP addresses to system-management elements dynamically, you must attach an external DHCP server to the management network (Eth0).

About this task

During the initial setup of the management software, the Management Server Setup wizard opens automatically.

Within the Management Server Setup wizard, configure the following information:
  • Date and time. Specify the location of the NTP server.
    Note: You must set your keyid and password on an external NTP server to match the keyid and password that you set in the management software. For more information about setting the keyid and password on your NTP server, see the documentation that came with your NTP server.

    If you use the management node as the NTP server, the external NTP server authentication key index and key must be set to match key index and key that are set in the management software.

  • Local area network (LAN) settings. Specify the IP address, DNS, and other network settings for both adapters:
    • Management network (Eth0)
    • Data network (Eth1)
  • User credentials, including ID, password, and permissions.

Procedure

Complete the following steps to access the initial setup wizard.

Note: If you encounter problems during the Setup Wizard, see Setup Wizard problems for troubleshooting information.

  1. Connect an Ethernet cable from a notebook computer to a Chassis Management Module (CMM) in the chassis.
  2. From a client computer, point a browser to 
    https://default_IP_address_or_host_name

    where default_IP_address_or_host_name is either the IPv4 address or the default host name, FSM-<MAC address>, on the network access tag that is attached to the IBM Flex System Manager management node. The static IPv4 address depends on the bay where you installed the management node. If you use the static IP address to connect to the network, make sure that the IP address and subnet of the client computer is set to the same value as the management node (the default subnet is 255.255.255.0). The IP address of the management node must also be in the same local domain as the client computer. To connect to the management node for the first time, you might need to change the IP properties on the client computer.

    The host name can be used if the configuration is assigned through a DHCP server; otherwise, use the IPv4 static IP address on the network access tag.
    Note: The IPv6 LLA on the tag can be used only for an SSH session. You cannot use it to connect through a web browser.
    A page with the Software License Agreement (SLA) is displayed.
    Note: If the network is configured incorrectly, you must use the Flex System Manager Types 7955, 8731, and 8734 console breakout cable to correct the mistake. See Connecting to the System Manager locally using the console breakout cable for more information.
  3. Accept the SLA to continue setting up IBM Flex System Manager management software. If you click Accept, the Management Server Setup wizard opens.
  4. Configure the settings on the Date and Time page.
  5. Configure the settings on the System-level User ID and Password page.
    Note: The password that you set for the system-level user ID (the default is USERID) is set automatically for the pe user account.
    For more information about the system requirements for passwords, see Setting a new password.
  6. Configure the settings on the Network Topology page. Diagrams of both network topologies are shown on this page.
    Important:
    1. The management node console can be connected to the management network or the data network. To configure the management software to access a single network that is using a single IP subnet, configure only the Eth0 interface. To configure Eth0 and Eth1, you must configure them on different IP subnets.
    2. Do not use a DHCP server to assign IP addresses for Eth0 and Eth1; otherwise, the separate management and data networks might be assigned to the same subnet.
    3. The host name must be configured on the network to which you will connect the management node. Configure the host name on the Eth0 interface if you will be connect to the management node on the management network, or configure the host name on the Eth1 interface if you will connect to the management node on the data network.
  7. On the Local Area Network (LAN) Adapters page, choose the LAN adapter that you want to configure. To see a network validation and recovery summary when this setup is completed, select the check box below the table. After you select either the management or data network for configuration, the IP Address page opens.
  8. Configure the IP addresses for the LAN adapter that you selected in the previous step.
    Important:
    1. Make sure that the IP address that is assigned to Eth0 is on the same IPv4 subnet or IPv6 network as the IP address that is assigned to the CMM.
    2. The Setup wizard enables you to use a DHCP server that will assign IPv4, IPv6, or both types of IP addresses to system-management elements (for example, the CMM, IMM, System-management processors, and network switches). For the Setup wizard to obtain IP addresses automatically, a DHCP server must be attached to the management network. If you want to assign static IP addresses, a DHCP server is not required.
    3. IP addresses in the range 192.168.70.200 through 192.168.70.299 are reserved for use by the management software. If you assign an IP address in this range to the Eth0 management network, you are forced to change it to an available IP address.
  9. Configure the settings on the Network Settings page.
    Note: The management software supports only one default gateway.
  10. Configure the settings on the Domain Name System (DNS) page.
    Important: DNS server configuration is required on the data network (Eth1) for the following management software functions:
    • Using VMControl to manage virtual machines and operating systems that are running on compute nodes
    • Updating the device drivers in the operating systems that are running on IBM Power Systems™ compute nodes

Results

Approximately 5 minutes after the wizard completes the setup, you are prompted to accept the security certificate for the server. If you want to monitor the status of the process, you must accept this certification.

Depending on the browser that you use, you might have to accept the security certificate every time you log in to the IBM Flex System Manager management software. With Mozilla Firefox, the warning is displayed only during initial setup; if you add the exception during initial setup, the exception is added automatically in the future. However, Microsoft Internet Explorer might require you to accept the security certificate every time you log in.

Important: After the setup is complete, the management node restarts. Continue the next setup process, which is described in Selecting chassis for management. If you are configuring this management software as a backup node for manual failover, no further configuration is needed.
Parent topic: Initial setup