Configuring a compute node

Use this information to configure a compute node. The upper and lower compute nodes are configured separately.

To perform a typical initial configuration for a compute node, complete the following steps.
Note: To configure a network interface card (NIC), you configure the IP address of the IMM through the CMM web interface. For more information, see the "Flex System Chassis Management Module: User's Guide".

  1. Configure the Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) firmware for a compute node by using the Setup utility (see Using the Setup utility) or the Advanced Setup Utility (ASU) (see the Advanced Settings Utility (ASU) for Lenovo x86 servers website).

    For more information about firmware configuration options, see Introducing UEFI-Compliant Firmware on Lenovo System x and BladeCenter Servers.

  2. Set the boot protocol by using the Setup utility (see Setting the boot protocol to boot from legacy devices using the Setup utility).

    You can temporarily redefine the boot order by using the Boot Selection menu program (see Using the Boot Selection Menu program).

  3. Configure the RAID array.

    You can configure RAID level-0 (striping) on a compute node with a single hard disk drive installed. You can install up to two 1.8-inch solid state drives (SSDs) in the compute node and implement RAID level-0 (striping) or RAID level-1 (mirroring) arrays. You can configure RAID arrays only for operating systems that are listed on the ServerProven list at the Lenovo ServerProven website. Configure RAID for a compute node using the integrated ServeRAID C100 controller program (see Configuring a RAID array).

    Important: You must create the RAID array before you install the operating system on the compute node.
    Note: The RAID feature is not supported by some earlier versions of Flex System x222 Compute Node firmware. Upgrade your compute node to the latest level of firmware to access this feature.
  4. Configure the integrated management module II (IMM2), using the Setup utility or the Advanced Settings Utility (ASU).
  5. Update the compute node firmware (see Updating firmware and device drivers).
    Note:
    1. If you use Flex System Manager Update Manager to update the firmware, you can optionally start the operating-system installation while the firmware updates are installed. It is normal operation for the initial firmware updates to take an unusual length of time.
    2. If the Chassis Management Module (CMM) and the compute nodes are set up to use DHCP and the CMM loses connectivity to the network, the CMM attempts to acquire a new IP address when network connectivity is restored. The compute nodes will not attempt to acquire an IP address again; they will continue to use their original IP addresses. Therefore, if you experience network problems on compute nodes after connectivity between the CMM and the network is restored, you might have to reset the system-management processor in each of the compute nodes in the chassis (including the management node). See Connectivity problems for more information.

After you configure a compute node, you can install the operating system and update device drivers (see Installing the operating system for more information).

Parent topic: Configuring