Install Fabric Adapters

Installation Overview & Planning

Installing HP Fabric Clustering System

•Confirm that the fabric adapter and software is supported on the HP Integrity server and IO slot chosen, see HP Fabric Clustering System Support Matrix, available at http://www.docs.hp.com in the Networking & Communications section.

•Determine where the switch is to be installed and which servers are to have an HCA installed.

•To use the Internet Protocol over InfiniBand (IPoIB) protocol, certain patches are required, along with installing the IPoIB software itself, see “Internet Protocol over InfiniBand‘ (IPoIB)” on page 13 (optional).

•The installed version of IP Filter must be higher than “B9901AA A.03.05.06 HP IPFilter 3.5alpha5”.

•Check the cluster configuration plan for information on where to install adapters, switches, and cable guides, and where cables are to be routed.

For more information about the configuration plan, please refer to the Planning the Cluster section of the HP Fabric Clustering System Support Guide.

•Check the HP Integrity server’s documentation to determine if additional tools may be required for component installation.

•For specific instructions on adapter installation, see system-specific documentation on “installing networking adapters” for each type of HP Integrity server that fabric adapters will be installed into.

•On-Line Addition and Replacement (OL*) of HP Fabric adapters is supported on HP Fabric Clustering System version B.11.23.02 with a couple of limitations; see “On-Line Addition and Replacement Operations (OL*)” on page 14

•Confirm that there are cables of proper length to make connections in the fabric (adapter to adapter, adapter to switch, or switch to switch).

•HP Fabric software suite software media is available. It is included on CD/ or available on the web through http://www.software.hp.com.

•Confirm that HP-UX super-user privileges are available; they are necessary to complete the installation.

•Confirm that the /usr/bin, /usr/sbin, /sbin, and /opt/rdma/bin directories are in your PATH by logging in as root and using the echo $PATH command.

•Confirm that the HP-UX operating system is the correct version, HP-UX 11i v2. Use the uname -acommand to determine the HP-UX version of your system.

For more information about the required operating system versions, see HP Fabric Clustering System Release Notes.

Information Available on the Host Channel Adapter

If you are collecting information from the adapter before installation for inventory purposes, there is a GUID number on the card. This number can also be obtained through the HP-UX fabric utilities, but if recording information for inventory, include the GUID number as well, as it is unique for each adapter. The GUID will have a format such as: 00:05:ad:00:00:00:02:40

CAUTION Fabric adapters contain electronic components that can easily be damaged by small amounts of electricity. To avoid damage, follow these guidelines:

•Store adapters in their anti-static plastic bags until installation.

•Work in a static-free area, if possible.

Chapter 1