HP Insight Control for Linux 7.1 Installation Guide

4 Configuring the network
This chapter describes Insight Control for Linux networking requirements, including how to properly
configure DHCP, which is a requirement for Insight Control for Linux if you are not using virtual
media to boot managed systems.
When you are finished configuring the network, proceed to Chapter 5 (page 37) to install Systems
Insight Manager and Insight Control for Linux.
4.1 Networking overview
This chapter provides an overview of the Insight Control for Linux network environment that is
recommended for the successful operation of the Insight Control for Linux system management,
system monitoring, and software installation and deployment tools.
The Insight Control for Linux tools can operate in a variety of network configurations, but certain
network requirements must be met for the tools to function properly. These requirements are
documented in this chapter.
In addition, certain best practices described in this chapter allow the Insight Control for Linux tools
to perform at their best.
Appendix A (page 68) provides optional, alternative network configurations that you might want
to consider for your environment.
4.1.1 Methods for booting a managed system
There are two methods to boot a managed system:
• PXE
You can network boot a managed system using PXE by configuring your DHCP server as
described in Section 4.3 (page 30).
• Virtual media
If a managed system has an iLO-based MP, you can use virtual media as an alternative to
using PXE and DHCP. Virtual media offers a secure method of booting a kernel and RAM disk
that is contained within an ISO image that is automatically created on the CMS and mounted
through the iLO.
After it is booted, a managed system’s network parameters (for example, its IP address,
netmask, gateway, and so on) are statically assigned using the information you enter through
the Options→IC-Linux→Define Networks... menu item. These network parameters are also
contained within the ISO image and are used to configure the managed systems' boot NIC
so that access to the Insight Control for Linux repository, which contains OS distributions and
captured images, is done through the NIC, not through the iLO.
Virtual media does not use DHCP to assign IP addresses. A file containing the managed
systems' network parameters is stored on the CMS, which you update through the
Options→IC-Linux→Network Configuration Editor menu item.
For more information on configuring and using virtual media to boot managed systems, see
the HP Insight Control for Linux User Guide.
4.1.2 Networking requirements
Insight Control for Linux requires reliable bidirectional network connectivity between the CMS and
all of its managed systems in order to function properly. The network connectivity must support all
of the various protocols Insight Control for Linux uses to communicate:
• Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP)
1
1. Not used if you are using virtual media to boot managed systems.
4.1 Networking overview 27