HP XC System Software Hardware Preparation Guide Version 3.1

Table of Contents
About This Document.........................................................................................................9
1 Intended Audience..................................................................................................................................9
2 New and Changed Information in This Edition.........................................................................................9
3 Typographic Conventions........................................................................................................................9
4 HP XC and Related HP Products Information..........................................................................................10
5 Related information...............................................................................................................................11
6 Manpages.............................................................................................................................................14
7 HP Encourages Your Comments.............................................................................................................14
1 Hardware and Network Overview............................................................................15
1.1 Important Information About HP XC Systems with HP Server Blades and Enclosures.............................15
1.2 Supported Cluster Platforms................................................................................................................15
1.3 Supported Console Management Devices.............................................................................................16
1.4 Administration Network Overview......................................................................................................17
1.5 Administration Network: Console Branch.............................................................................................17
1.6 Interconnect Network..........................................................................................................................17
1.7 Large-Scale Systems............................................................................................................................18
2 Making Node and Switch Connections....................................................................19
2.1 Cabinets.............................................................................................................................................19
2.2 Trunking and Switch Choices...............................................................................................................19
2.3 Switches.............................................................................................................................................20
2.3.1 Specialized Switch Use................................................................................................................20
2.3.2 Administrator Passwords on ProCurve Switches...........................................................................21
2.3.3 Switch Port Connections..............................................................................................................21
2.3.3.1 Switch Connections and HP Workstations.............................................................................22
2.3.4 Super Root Switch.......................................................................................................................23
2.3.5 Root Administration Switch.........................................................................................................23
2.3.6 Root Console Switches.................................................................................................................25
2.3.6.1 ProCurve 2650 Switch..........................................................................................................25
2.3.6.2 ProCurve 2626 Switch..........................................................................................................26
2.3.7 Branch Administration Switches..................................................................................................26
2.3.8 Branch Console Switches.............................................................................................................27
2.4 Interconnect Connections....................................................................................................................28
2.4.1 QsNet Interconnect Connections..................................................................................................28
2.4.2 Gigabit Ethernet Interconnect Connections...................................................................................29
2.4.3 Administration Network Interconnect Connections.......................................................................29
2.4.4 Myrinet and InfiniBand Interconnect Connections.........................................................................29
3 Preparing Individual Nodes........................................................................................31
3.1 Firmware Requirements and Dependencies..........................................................................................31
3.2 Ethernet Port Connections on the Head Node.......................................................................................32
3.3 General Hardware Preparations for All Cluster Platforms......................................................................32
3.4 Preparing the Hardware for CP3000 Systems........................................................................................33
3.4.1 Preparing HP ProLiant DL140 G2 and G3 Nodes...........................................................................33
3.4.2 Preparing HP ProLiant DL360 G4 and G5 Nodes...........................................................................36
3.4.3 Preparing HP ProLiant DL380 G4 and G5 Nodes...........................................................................38
3.4.4 Preparing HP xw8200 and xw8400 Workstations...........................................................................41
3.5 Preparing the Hardware for CP3000BL Systems....................................................................................44
3.6 Preparing the Hardware for CP4000 Systems........................................................................................45
3.6.1 Preparing HP ProLiant DL145 G1 Nodes......................................................................................45
3.6.2 Preparing HP ProLiant DL145 G2 Nodes......................................................................................47
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