Installing the operating system - Lenovo Flex System x280 X6, x480 X6, and x880 X6 Compute Node Types 7196 and 4258

Use these instructions to install the operating system on the compute node.

To determine which operating systems are supported and to consider any maximum I/O limitations for the Flex System x480 X6 and x880 X6 compute node, see http://www.ibm.com/systems/info/x86servers/serverproven/compat/us/nos/flexmatrix.shtml.

Provisioning is the set of actions that you take to install the operating system. To install the operating system on a compute node, you can use any of the following methods:

Lenovo ServerGuide Setup and Installation CD

Use the ServerGuide Setup and Installation CD to install a supported Microsoft Windows operating system only. To provision a compute node with an operating system by using the ServerGuide Setup and Installation CD, complete the following steps.
1. Download the ServerGuide Setup and Installation CD ISO image to a computer that is connected over the management network to the Flex System Manager management software (if installed) that is managing the compute node.
2. Connect to the Flex System Manager management software that is managing the Lenovo Flex System chassis in which the compute node is installed.
3. From Lenovo Flex System Manager Chassis Manager, select the compute node. In the Actions column, select Remote Control.
  Note: The user ID that you use to log in to Flex System Manager management software must have sufficient user permissions to manage the compute node.
4. From the Remote Control session, mount the ServerGuide Setup and Installation CD bootable media (using Remote Media). When the ServerGuide program prompts you to mount the operating-system image, unmount the ServerGuide Setup and Installation CD and mount the operating-system image.
  You can also install an ISO image of the operating system from an external or portable storage device, such as a USB device, by using Remote Media. For more information, see "Installing an operating system on an X-Architecture compute node".
5. Start the compute node to boot the media and install the operating system.
Lenovo ToolsCenter Bootable Media Creator

Use Lenovo ToolsCenter Bootable Media Creator to create a Lenovo ServerGuide Setup and Installation CD for deploying Windows operating systems and updates from UpdateXpress System Packs. For more information about the Bootable Media Creator, see the Bootable Media Creator (BoMC) for Lenovo x86 servers website.

To provision a compute node with an operating system by using Lenovo ToolsCenter Bootable Media Creator, complete the following steps:
1. Download Lenovo ToolsCenter Bootable Media Creator to a computer that is connected over the management network to the Flex System Manager management software that is managing the compute node.
2. Connect to the Flex System Manager management software (if installed) that is managing the Lenovo Flex System chassis in which the compute node is installed.
3. From Lenovo Flex System Manager Chassis Manager, select the compute node. In the Actions column, select Remote Control.
  Note: The user ID that you use to log in to Flex System Manager management software must have sufficient user permissions to manage the compute node.
4. From the Remote Control session, mount the ServerGuide Setup and Installation CD bootable media (using Remote Media). When the ServerGuide program prompts you to mount the operating-system image, unmount the ServerGuide Setup and Installation CD and mount the operating-system image.
  You can also install an ISO image of the operating system from an external or portable storage device, such as a USB device, by using Remote Media. For more information, see "Installing an operating system on an X-Architecture compute node".
5. Start the compute node to boot the media and install the operating system.
Lenovo XClarity Administrator

You can use the Lenovo XClarity Administrator (if available) to deploy operating systems and virtual images to multiple compute nodes that do not already have an operating system installed. This function allows you to deploy Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) including Kernel-based Virtual Machine (KVM), VMware vSphere Hypervisor (ESXi) with Lenovo Customization, and Microsoft Windows 2012. For more information, see the Lenovo XClarity Administrator information page.
Flex System Manager management software

You can use Flex System Manager management software (if installed) to deploy operating system and virtual images to multiple compute nodes that do not already have an operating system installed. This function is limited to deploying VMware ESXi and RHEL Kernel-based Virtual Machine (KVM) hypervisors to X-Architecture compute nodes. For more information, see "Provisioning compute nodes".
Lenovo ServerGuide Scripting Toolkit

The ServerGuide Scripting Toolkit is a collection of system-configuration tools and installation scripts that you can use to deploy software to your compute node in a repeatable, predictable manner (see Using Lenovo ServerGuide Scripting Toolkit).
Operating-system installation instructions

Download the latest operating-system installation instructions and install the operating system.

Important: The operating system in the compute node must provide USB support for the compute node to recognize and use the keyboard, mouse, and removable-media drives.