Dell EMC PowerScale F200 Installation guide

Brand: Dell EMC

Model: PowerScale F200

Type: Installation guide

This manual is also suitable for

PowerScale F600

Dell EMC PowerScale F200, an all-flash node, supports inline software data compression (3:1 depending on workload) and data deduplication, enabling efficient storage utilization. Ideal for small to midsize businesses, branch offices, and remote sites, it's scalable from 3 nodes to a maximum of 252 nodes. With NVMe SSDs (on F600 nodes) for fast data access, it's well-suited for applications like databases, analytics, virtualization, and video surveillance.

PowerScale F200 and F600 Node Installation

Guide

June 2020

Notes, cautions, and warnings

NOTE: A NOTE indicates important information that helps you make better use of your product.

CAUTION: A CAUTION indicates either potential damage to hardware or loss of data and tells you how to avoid the

problem.

WARNING: A WARNING indicates a potential for property damage, personal injury, or death.

trademarks may be trademarks of their respective owners.

List of Figures..........................................................................................................................................................4

1 F200 and F600 nodes....................................................................................................................5

About F200 and F600 nodes............................................................................................................................................... 5

Drive types..............................................................................................................................................................................5

Unpack and verify components...........................................................................................................................................5

2 Node installation.......................................................................................................................... 6

Before you begin....................................................................................................................................................................6

Rail kit components............................................................................................................................................................... 6

Install the rails.........................................................................................................................................................................7

Secure the rail assemblies to the cabinet........................................................................................................................... 8

Install the system in the cabinet.......................................................................................................................................... 9

Install the front bezel............................................................................................................................................................11

Connect and route cords and cables..................................................................................................................................11

F200 and F600 node ports........................................................................................................................................... 12

Configure the Integrated Dell Remote Access Controller (iDRAC)...............................................................................12

3 F200 and F600 node configuration............................................................................................... 13

Configure the node.............................................................................................................................................................. 13

Federal installations........................................................................................................................................................ 13

SmartLock compliance mode........................................................................................................................................13

Connect to the node using a serial cable.................................................................................................................... 13

Run the configuration wizard........................................................................................................................................14

Updating node firmware................................................................................................................................................16

Licensing and remote support...................................................................................................................................... 16

Front panel LCD display.......................................................................................................................................................16

Update the install database................................................................................................................................................ 18

ifs_r_where_to_go_for_support.......................................................................................................................................18

Contents

Contents 3

List of Figures

Figure 1. A10 sliding rail assembly - 1U systems.................................................................................................. 7

Figure 2. Installing the rear end of the rail........................................................................................................... 8

Figure 3. Installing the front end of the rail......................................................................................................... 8

Figure 4. Installing screws......................................................................................................................................9

Figure 5. Extend rails from the cabinet................................................................................................................9

Figure 6. Install the system in the rails............................................................................................................... 10

Figure 7. Slide the system into the cabinet........................................................................................................10

Figure 8. Installing the front bezel on 1U system............................................................................................... 11

Figure 9. CMA bracket slots................................................................................................................................ 12

Figure 10. Node with RJ-45 iDRAC connection................................................................................................ 12

Figure 11. F200 and F600 node LCD display......................................................................................................16

List of Figures

F200 and F600 nodes

Topics:

• About F200 and F600 nodes

• Drive types

• Unpack and verify components

About F200 and F600 nodes

F200 and F600 all-flash nodes support inline software data compression (3:1 depending on the workload and the dataset), and data

deduplication with OneFS 9.0.0.0. The F200 and F600 nodes are 1U models that require a minimum cluster size of three nodes. Clusters

can be expanded to a maximum of 252 nodes in single node increments. The F600 node uses direct-attached NVMe (Non-Volatile

Memory Express) SSDs for fast data access, with integrated parallelism.

Drive types

This installation guide applies to nodes that contain any of the following drive types: Non-Volatile Memory Express (NVMe) on F600 nodes

only, self-encrypting drives (SEDs), and SAS SSDs (F200 nodes).

CAUTION:

Only install the drives that were shipped with the node. Do not mix drives of different capacities in the node.

If you remove drive carriers from the chassis during installation, ensure to label the carriers clearly. Replace the drive

carriers in the same bay from which they were removed. If drive carriers are mixed between nodes, even before

configuration, the system is inoperable.

A node containing SEDs might take up to two hours longer to join the cluster than a node with standard drives. Do not power off the node

during the join process.

Unpack and verify components

Before you install any equipment, inspect it to ensure that no damage occurred during transit.

Remove all components from the shipping package, and inspect the components for any sign of damage. Do not use a damaged

component.

NOTE:

To avoid personal injury or damage to the hardware, always use multiple people to lift and move heavy

equipment.

F200 and F600 nodes 5

Node installation

This document describes how to install F200 and F600 nodes into an equipment cabinet.

Topics:

• Before you begin

• Rail kit components

• Install the rails

• Secure the rail assemblies to the cabinet

• Install the system in the cabinet

• Install the front bezel

• Connect and route cords and cables

• Configure the Integrated Dell Remote Access Controller (iDRAC)

Before you begin

WARNING: Before you begin, read and follow the safety instructions in any Safety, Environmental, and Regulatory

information document shipped with the system.

WARNING: To avoid injury, do not attempt to lift the system by yourself.

NOTE: The figures in this document do not represent a specific system.

NOTE: The rail kit is compatible with square, unthreaded round, and threaded round hole racks.

Rail kit components

The sliding rail assemblies are used to secure the node in the cabinet, and extended from the cabinet so that the system cover can be

removed to access the internal FRUs. The A10 sliding rail assembly (1U) is used for installation of the F200 and F600 nodes.

6 Node installation

Figure 1. A10 sliding rail assembly - 1U systems

1. A10 sliding rail (2)

2. velcro strap (2)

3. screw (4)

4. washer (4)

Install the rails

The rails are labeled left and right, and cannot be interchanged. The front side of each rail is labeled Left Front or Right Front when

viewed from the cabinet front.

1. Determine where to mount the system, and use masking tape or a felt-tip pen to mark the location at the front and back of the

cabinet.

NOTE: Install the left rail assembly first.

2. Fully extend the rear sliding bracket of the rail.

3. Position the rail end piece labeled Left Front facing inward and orient the rear end piece to align with the holes on the rear cabinet

flanges.

4. Push the rail straight toward the rear of the rack until the latch locks in place.

Node installation

Figure 2. Installing the rear end of the rail

5. For the front end piece, rotate the latch outward and pull the rail forward until the pins slide into the flange, and release the latch to

secure the rail in place.

Figure 3. Installing the front end of the rail

6. Repeat the preceding steps to install the right rail assembly.

Secure the rail assemblies to the cabinet

The supplied screws and washers are used to secure the rail assemblies to the front and rear of the cabinet.

NOTE:

For square hole cabinets, install the supplied conical washer before installing the screw. For unthreaded round

hole cabinets, install only the screw without the conical washer.

1. Align the screws with the designated U spaces on the front and rear rack flanges.

Ensure that the screw holes on the tab of the system retention bracket are seated on the designated U spaces.

2. Insert and tighten the two screws using the Phillips #2 screwdriver.

Node installation

Figure 4. Installing screws

Install the system in the cabinet

This procedure is used to install the system in the cabinet.

Follow all safety guidelines.

CAUTION:

The system is heavy and should be installed in a cabinet by two people. To avoid personal injury and/or

damage to the equipment, do not attempt to install the system in a cabinet without a mechanical lift and/or help from

another person.

1. At front of the cabinet, pull the inner slide rails out of the rack until they lock into place.

Figure 5. Extend rails from the cabinet

2. Locate the rear rail standoff on each side of the system. Position the system above the rails and lower the rear rail standoffs into the

rear J-slots on the slide assemblies.

3. Rotate the system downward until all the rail standoffs are seated in the J-slots.

Node installation

Figure 6. Install the system in the rails

4. Push the system inward until the lock levers click into place.

5. Pull the blue slide release lock tabs forward on both rails and slide the system into the cabinet. The slam latches will engage to secure

the system in the cabinet.

NOTE:

Ensure that the inner rail slides completely into the middle rail. The middle rail locks if the inner rail is not

fully engaged.

Figure 7. Slide the system into the cabinet

Node installation

Install the front bezel

The procedure to install the front bezel with the LCD panel.

1. Align and insert the right end of the bezel onto the system.

2. Press the release button and fit the left end of the bezel onto the system.

3. Lock the bezel by using the key.

Figure 8. Installing the front bezel on 1U system

Connect and route cords and cables

1. Connect the power cables and I/O cables as described in documentation for your system.

2. If the system uses a cable management arm (CMA), install it as described in the document that is shipped with the CMA.

3. If the system does not use a CMA, use the two velcro straps to route and secure cords and cables at the rear of the system:

a. Locate the CMA bracket slots on the rear end of both the rails.

b. Bundle the cables gently, pulling them clear of the system connectors to the left and right sides.

NOTE: Ensure that there is enough space for the cables to move when you slide the system out of the rack.

c. Thread the straps through the CMA bracket slots on each side of the system to hold the cable bundles.

Node installation

Figure 9. CMA bracket slots

F200 and F600 node ports

The back-end ports are the private network connections to the nodes. Port 1 from all nodes connects to one switch, and port 2 from all

the nodes connects to a second switch. Both back-end switches are provided.

The front-end ports are for the client network connections.

NOTE:

In the F200, the rNDC can provide 10 GbE or 25 GbE connections for front-end networking. In the F600, the

rNDC does not provide network connectivity.

Configure the Integrated Dell Remote Access

Controller (iDRAC)

The integrated Dell Remote Access Controller (iDRAC) delivers advanced, agent-free local, and remote administration. iDRAC is

embedded in every F200 and F600 node and provides a secure means to automate a multitude of common management tasks.

NOTE:

Although iDRAC is preinstalled in F200 and F600 nodes, caution is recommended when using IDRAC. Some

IDRAC features and functionality might not work as expected with OneFS.

IDRAC does not require any additional software installation.

1. After connecting the network cables, and powering on the node, iDRAC is available for use. For iDRAC, the RJ-45 (1 GbE) connects to

the external network switch.

Figure 10. Node with RJ-45 iDRAC connection

2. Log in to iDRAC by using the following default username and password:

• root

• calvin

Node installation

F200 and F600 node configuration

Topics:

• Configure the node

• Front panel LCD display

• Update the install database

• Where to go for support

Configure the node

Before using the node, you must either create a new cluster or add the node to an existing cluster.

Federal installations

Configure nodes to comply with United States federal regulations.

If you are installing F200 or F600 nodes in a United States federal agency, configure the external network with IPv6 addresses. To comply

with Federal requirements, if the OneFS cluster is configured for IPv6, enablement of link-local is required.

As part of the installation procedure, configure the external cluster for IPv6 addresses in the Isilon configuration wizard after a node is

powered on.

After you install the cluster, enable link-local addresses by following the instructions in the KB article How to enable link-local addresses for

IPv6.

SmartLock compliance mode

You can configure nodes to operate in SmartLock compliance mode. If your data environment must comply with SEC rule 17-a4(f), only

then should you run the cluster in SmartLock compliance mode.

Compliance mode controls how SmartLock directories function and limits access to the cluster in alignment with SEC rule 17-a4(f).

A valid SmartLock license is required to configure a node in compliance mode.

CAUTION:

Once you select to run a node in SmartLock compliance mode, you cannot leave compliance mode without

reformatting the node.

SmartLock compliance mode is incompatible with the following:

• vCenter

• VMware vSphere API for Storage Awareness (VASA)

• VMware vSphere API for Array Integration (VAAI) NAS Plug-In

Connect to the node using a serial cable

You can use a null modem serial cable to provide a direct connection to a node.

If no serial ports are available, you can use a USB-to-serial converter.

1. Connect a null modem serial cable to the serial port of a computer, such as a laptop.

2. Connect the other end of the serial cable to the serial port on the back panel of the node.

3. Start a serial communication utility such as Minicom (UNIX) or PuTTY (Windows).

4. Configure the connection utility to use the following port settings:

F200 and F600 node configuration 13

Setting Value

Transfer rate 115,200 bps

Data bits 8

Parity None

Stop bits 1

Flow control

(RTS/CTS)

Hardware

Open a connection to the node.

Run the configuration wizard

The Isilon configuration wizard starts automatically when a new node is powered on. The wizard provides step-by-step guidance for

configuring a new cluster or adding a node to an existing cluster.

The following procedure assumes that there is an open serial connection to a new node.

NOTE: You can type back at most prompts to return to the previous step in the wizard.

1. For new clusters, joining a node to an existing cluster, or preparing a node to run in SmartLock compliance mode, choose one of the

following options:

• To create a cluster, type 1.

• To join the node to an existing cluster, type 2.

• To exit the wizard and configure the node manually, type 3.

• To restart the node in SmartLock compliance mode, type 4.

CAUTION:

If you choose to restart the node in SmartLock compliance mode, the node restarts and returns to this

step. Selection 4 changes to enable you to disable SmartLock compliance mode. Selection 4 is the last

opportunity to back out of compliance mode without reformatting the node.

2. Follow the prompts to configure the node.

For new clusters, the following table lists the information necessary to configure the cluster. To ensure that the installation process is

not interrupted, it is recommended that you collect this information before installation.

Setting

Description

SmartLock compliance license A valid SmartLock license for clusters in compliance mode only

Root password The password for the root user for clusters in compliance mode do not allow

a root user and request a compliance administrator (comp admin) password.

Admin password The password for the administrator user

Cluster name The name used to identify the cluster. Cluster names must begin with a letter

and can contain only numbers, letters, and hyphens.

NOTE: if the cluster name is longer than 11 characters, the

following warning displays: WARNING: Limit cluster name

to 11 characters or less when the NetBIOS Name

Service is enabled to avoid name truncation. Isilon

uses up to 4 characters for individual node names.

Character encoding The default character encoding is UTF-8.

int-a network settings

• Netmask

• IP range

The int-a network settings are for communication between nodes.

The int-a network must be configured with IPv4.

14 F200 and F600 node configuration

Setting Description

The int-a network must be on a separate subnet from an int-b/failover

network.

int-b/failover network settings

• Netmask

• IP range

• Failover IP range

The int-b/failover network settings are optional. The int-b network is for

communication between nodes, and provides redundancy with the int-a

network.

The int-b network must be configured with IPv4.

The int-a and int-b networks must be on separate subnets.

The failover IP range is a virtual IP range that is resolved to either of the

active ports during failover.

External network settings

• Netmask

• MTU

• IP range

The external network settings are for client access to the cluster.

The default external network can be configured with IPv4 or IPv6 addresses.

Configure the external network with IPv6 addresses by entering an integer

less than 128 for the netmask value. The standard external netmask value for

IPv6 addresses is 64. If you enter a netmask value with dot-decimal notation,

use IPv4 addresses for the IP range.

In the configuration wizard, the following options are available:

Configure external subnet

[ 1] 25gige-1 - External interface

[Enter] Exit configuring external network.

Configure external subnet >>>

Configure external subnet

[ 1] 100gige-1 - External interface

[Enter] Exit configuring external network.

Configure external subnet >>>

NOTE: The 100gige is only an option on F600 nodes.

Default gateway The IP address of the optional gateway server through which the cluster

communicates with clients outside the subnet. Enter an IPv4 or IPv6

address, depending on how configured the external network.

SmartConnect settings

• SmartConnect zone name

• SmartConnect service IP

SmartConnect balances client connections across nodes in a cluster.

Information about configuring SmartConnect is available in the OneFS

Administration Guide.

DNS settings

• DNS servers

• DNS search domains

The DNS settings are for the cluster.

Enter a comma-separated list to specify multiple DNS servers or search

domains. Enter IPv4 or IPv6 addresses, depending on how you configured

the external network settings.

Date and time settings

• Time zone

• Day and time

The day and time settings are for the cluster.

Cluster join mode The method that the cluster uses to add new nodes. Choose one of the

following options:

Manual join Cluster join mode enables configured nodes in the

cluster, or new nodes to request to join the cluster.

Secure join A configured node in the existing cluster must invite

a new unconfigured node to join the cluster.

F200 and F600 node configuration 15

NOTE: If you are installing a node that contains SEDs (self-encrypting drives), the node formats the drives now. The

formatting process might take up to two hours to complete.

Updating node firmware

To make sure that the most recent firmware is installed on a node, update the node firmware.

Follow instructions in the most current Node Firmware Release Notes to update your node to the most recent Node Firmware Package.

Licensing and remote support

After configuring new hardware, update the OneFS license and configure the new hardware for remote support.

For instructions on updating OneFS license and configuring remote support (SRS),see the OneFS WebUI Administration Guide or the

OneFS CLI Administration Guide.

Front panel LCD display

The LCD display provides system information, status, and error messages to indicate that the system is functioning correctly or requires

attention. The LCD display is also used to configure or view the system iDRAC IP address.

The following lists the status and conditions of the LCD display:

• The LCD backlight is white during normal operating conditions.

• When the system needs attention, the LCD backlight is amber, and displays an error code before the descriptive text.

• When the system turns off and there are no errors, LCD enters the standby mode after five minutes of inactivity. Press any button on

the LCD to turn it on.

• If the LCD panel stops responding, remove the bezel and reinstall it. If the problem persists, see Getting help.

• The LCD backlight remains off if LCD messaging is turned off through the iDRAC utility, the LCD panel, or other tools.

NOTE:

If the system is connected to a power source and an error is detected, the LCD is amber whether the system is

turned on or off.

Figure 11. F200 and F600 node LCD display

Item

Button or Display Description

1 Left Moves the cursor back in one-step

increments

2 Select Chooses the selected menu item

3 Right Moves the cursor forward in one-step

increments during message scrolling:

16 F200 and F600 node configuration

Item Button or Display Description

1. · Press and hold the right button to

increase scrolling speed.

2. Release the button To stop scrolling,

release the button.

NOTE: The display stops scrolling

when the button is released. After

45 s of inactivity, the display starts

scrolling.

4 LCD Display Displays system information, status, and

error messages or iDRAC address

View the Home screen

The Home screen displays user-configurable information about the system. This screen is displayed during normal system operation when

there are no status messages or errors. When the system is off and there are no errors, the LCD enters standby mode after five minutes

of inactivity. Press any button on the LCD display to turn it on.

1. To view the Home screen, press one of the three navigation buttons (Select, Left, or Right).

2. To go to the Home screen from another menu, complete the following steps:

a. Press and hold the navigation button until the up arrow is displayed.

b. Go to the Home icon by using the up arrow.

c. On the Home screen, press the Select button to enter the main menu.

d. Select the Home icon.

Setup menu

NOTE: When you select an option in the Setup menu, confirm the option before going to the next action.

Option Description

iDRAC Select DHCP or Static IP to configure the network mode. If Static

IP is selected, the available fields are IP, Subnet (Sub), and

Gateway (Gtw). Select Setup DNS to enable DNS and to view

domain addresses. Two separate DNS entries are available.

Set error Select SEL to view LCD error messages in a format that matches

the IPMI description in the SEL. You can match an LCD message

with an SEL entry. Select Simple to view LCD error messages in a

simplified description. For information about the generated event

and error messages in the system firmware and agents that

monitor system components, see the Error Code Lookup page, at

qrl.dell.com.

Set home Select the default information for the Home screen.

View menu

NOTE: When you select an option in the View menu, confirm the option before going to the next action.

Option Description

iDRAC IP Displays the IPv4 or IPv6 addresses for iDRAC9. Addresses include

DNS (Primary and Secondary), Gateway, IP, and Subnet (IPv6

does not have Subnet).

MAC Displays the MAC addresses for iDRAC, iSCSI, or Network devices

F200 and F600 node configuration 17

Option Description

Name Displays the name of the Host, Model, or User String for the

system

Number Displays the Asset tag or the Service tag for the system

Power Displays the power output of the system in BTU/hr or Watts. The

display format can be configured in the Set home submenu of the

Setup menu.

Temperature Displays the temperature of the system in Celsius or Fahrenheit.

The display format can be configured in the Set home submenu of

the Setup menu.

Join a cluster by using buttons and the LCD display

NOTE: When you select an option in the View menu, confirm the option before proceeding to the next action.

When the node starts and is unconfigured, the LCD display reads, Unconfigured, and launches a wizard. The wizard joins the node to a

cluster that is connected to the back-end network.

To join the node to a cluster when the LCD display reads, Unconfigured:

1. Press Select to start the wizard.

2. Press Left or Right to switch menu items:

a. <Scan>: Scan the back-end network, and display available clusters.

b. <Return>: Return to the Unconfigured screen.

3. To browse the available clusters, press Left or Right.

NOTE: Some of the clusters might not have enough IP addresses. The attempt to join the node fails.

4. To join the displayed cluster, press Select.

5. <Return>: Return to the scan menu in Step 3.

6. The LCD display reads Joining….

a. If the node joins the cluster successfully, the LCD displays the hostname of the node.

b. If the node fails to join the cluster, the LCD displays Failed to join…. Return to Step 4.

c. To try another cluster, press Select.

Update the install database

After all work is complete, update the install database.

1. Browse to the Business Services portal.

2. Select the Product Registration and Install Base Maintenance option.

3. To open the form, select the IB Status Change option.

4. Complete the form with the applicable information.

5. To submit the form, click Submit.

Where to go for support

This topic contains resources for getting answers to questions about PowerScale products.

Online support

• Live Chat

• Create a Service Request

For questions about accessing online support, send an email to [email protected].

Telephone support

• United States: 1-800-SVC-4EMC (1-800-782-4362)

• Canada: 1-800-543-4782

• Worldwide: 1-508-497-7901

18 F200 and F600 node configuration

• Local phone numbers for a specific country/region are available at Dell EMC Customer Support

Centers.

PowerScale OneFS

Documentation Info Hubs

You can find product documentation, troubleshooting guides, videos, and other resources about

PowerScale OneFS products and features on the PowerScale OneFS Info Hubs page.

F200 and F600 node configuration 19

Dell EMC PowerScale F200 Installation guide

Brand: Dell EMC

Model: PowerScale F200

Type: Installation guide

This manual is also suitable for

PowerScale F600

Download PDF

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Dell EMC PowerScale F200 Installation guide

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Dell EMC PowerScale F200 Installation guide

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