Preface
About This Guide
This guide provides information about installing, config- uring, and troubleshooting the hardware and software components of the Dell PowerEdge Cluster. This docu- ment addresses the use of two PowerEdge 4200 server systems and one or two PowerEdge Scalable Disk Sys- tem 100 (SDS 100) storage systems in the PowerEdge Cluster. Dell plans future clustering products that will incorporate other products in the Dell server family. User documentation specific to those systems will be available as new cluster products are released.
This guide addresses two audience levels:
•Users and system installers who will perform general setup, cabling, and configuration of the PowerEdge Cluster
•Trained service technicians who will perform more extensive installations such as firmware upgrades and installation of required expansion cards
This guide identifies the appropriate audience for each topic being discussed.
The chapters and appendixes in this guide are summa- rized as follows:
•Chapter 1, “Getting Started,” provides an overview of the PowerEdge Cluster and outlines the steps for installing a new PowerEdge Cluster system or modi- fying an existing PowerEdge system into a PowerEdge Cluster.
•Chapter 2, “Cabling the Cluster Hardware,” provides instructions for properly cabling the system hard- ware components.
•Chapter 3, “Configuring the Cluster Software,” describes the software configuration options that must be specified to properly set up the cluster system.
•Chapter 4, “Running Applications on a Cluster” pro- vides general information about running applications on the PowerEdge Cluster.
•Chapter 5, “Troubleshooting,” provides information to help you troubleshoot problems with the cluster’s installation and configuration.
•Appendix A, “Upgrading to a Cluster Configura- tion,” provides specific information to service technicians about upgrading existing system hard- ware and software to a cluster configuration.
•Appendix B,
•Appendix C, “Cluster Data Sheet,” provides a form for gathering and recording important information about your PowerEdge Cluster.
•Appendix D, “PowerEdge Cluster Configuration Matrix,” describes the configuration matrix form, which is used to record information about the cluster hardware such as service tag numbers and types of adapters installed in the cluster node PCI slots.
•Appendix E, “Regulatory Compliance,” lists the regulatory standards with which the PowerEdge Cluster has been tested and certified for compliance.
•Appendix F, “Safety Information for Technicians,” provides important safety warnings about electro- static discharge (ESD).
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