HP XC System Software Installation Guide Version 3.1

1.3 Task 3: Prepare Existing HP XC Systems
This task applies to anyone who is installing HP XC System Software Version 3.1 on an HP XC system
that is already installed with an older version of the HP XC System Software. Bypass this task If you are
installing HP XC System Software Version 3.1 on new hardware for the first time.
Before using the procedures described in this document to install and configure HP XC System Software
Version 3.1, HP recommends that you perform the following tasks on existing HP XC systems running
older versions of the HP XC System Software:
1. Use your preferred backup solution to perform a full backup of the head node, which you can do
while the head node is up and when jobs are running.
If the /hptc_cluster file system is located on an HP StorageWorks Scalable File Server (SFS), back
up the SFS server as well.
2. Preserve local user accounts.
3. If your hardware configuration contains HP Integrity head nodes, prepare all client nodes to network
boot rather than boot from local disk:
# setnode --resync --all
4. Follow the procedures outlined in the remainder of this document. Because you already have a running
HP XC system, some preparation tasks might not apply to your situation. Regardless, HP recommends
that you read through every task described in this document and perform those that apply to your
system configuration.
1.4 Task 4: Prepare the Hardware
Use the information in the HP XC Hardware Preparation Guide to prepare the hardware. The connection of
nodes to ProCurve switch ports is important for the automatic discovery process. The HP XC Hardware
Preparation Guide describes these connections in detail.
IMPORTANT: Hardware preparation tasks for hardware configuration containing HP server blades and
enclosures are documented in the HP XC Systems With HP Server Blades and Enclosures HowTo, which is
available at the following Web site:
http://www.docs.hp.com/en/highperfcomp.html
Do not proceed with the software installation process until all hardware preparation tasks are complete.
1.5 Task 5: Verify Firmware Versions
Follow the instructions in the accompanying HP Cluster Platform documents to ensure that all hardware
components are running the latest qualified firmware versions. Upgrade the firmware versions, if necessary.
The master firmware list for this release of the HP XC System Software is available at the following Web
site:
http://www.docs.hp.com/en/highperfcomp.html
1.6 Task 6: Arrange for IP Address Assignments and Host Names
Make arrangements with your site's network administrator to assign IP addresses for the following system
components. All IP addresses must be defined in the site's Domain Name System (DNS) configuration:
• The external IP address of the HP XC system, if it is to be connected to an external network. The name
associated with this interface is known as the LVS or cluster alias.
• The external IP address of the head node, if it is to be connected to an external network.
• The IP address of any other node that will have a Ethernet connection to an external network.
• The IP address of additional network address translation (NAT) servers if you are configuring
improved availability for the NAT service.
24 Preparing for a New Installation