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Create a Bare Metal Cluster

Before you begin

  • Attach a deployment server to the bare metal cluster to provide PXE services for bare metal instances in the cluster.
  • Each bare metal cluster supports only one deployment server. A deployment server can be attached to multiple bare metal clusters.
  • You can attach distributed switches to a bare metal cluster to provide network services for bare metal instances in the cluster.

Procedure

  1. In the navigation pane, choose Inventory > Bare Metal Management.
  2. Select the target data center.
  3. On the data center details page, click Bare Metal Management.
  4. On the Bare Metal Management tab, choose Bare Metal Cluster > New Bare Metal Cluster.
  5. In the New Bare Metal Cluster dialog, configure the following options:
    Option Description
    Name Enter a name for the bare metal cluster.
    Description Enter a brief description for the bare metal cluster.
    Attach Deployment Server Select whether to attach a deployment server.
    Server Source

    Select whether to create a deployment server or use an existing one.

    If you select New Deployment Server, configure the deployment server options. If you select Existing Deployment Server, select a deployment server.
    Deployment Server Name If you select New Deployment Server, enter a name for the deployment server.
    DHCP Listening NIC If you select New Deployment Server, enter the device name of the NIC on the deployment server that is connected to the deployment network.
    Note:
    • The NIC must be connected to the deployment network of the bare metal chassis and have an IP address.
    • No other DHCP service can be available on the network connected to this NIC.
    Storage Path If you select New Deployment Server, enter a local directory on the deployment server for storing PXE deployment images.
    Deployment Server IP If you select New Deployment Server, enter the IP address of the deployment server.
    SSH Port If you select New Deployment Server, enter the SSH port. The default value is 22.
    Username If you select New Deployment Server, enter a username. The default username is root. You can also enter a regular user.
    Password If you select New Deployment Server, enter the password for the specified user.
    DHCP Start IP If you select New Deployment Server, enter the start IP address of the range scanned by the DHCP service.
    DHCP End IP If you select New Deployment Server, enter the end IP address of the range scanned by the DHCP service.
    Note: If you leave this field empty, the system detects the network based on the NIC IP address and excludes IP addresses that are already in use.
  6. Review the configuration and click OK.
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