Overview

This tutorial introduces how to install and deploy ZStack Cube Virtualization Edition.

Planning and Prerequisites

Configure Network Environment

This section describes the network planning and switch connection requirements for deploying ZStack Cube Virtualization Edition.

Network Planning

Plan the following network resources in advance:
  • Management network: Used for managing and controlling the hardware resources of the platform. It is recommended to configure at least dual 1GbE networks.
  • Storage network: Used for providing storage services and carrying storage traffic. It is recommended to configure a dual 10GbE network.
  • Service network: The network used by virtual machines to provide application services externally. It is recommended to configure at least dual 1GbE networks.
  • Migration network: A dedicated network for VM migration, which is recommended to be configured separately. If not configured, the management network will be used for VM migration by default.
Note: During network deployment, it is recommended to ensure redundancy for switches, NICs, and other equipment to meet high availability requirements and avoid single points of failure.

Switch Connections

Note: The switch connection process for HCI appliances of different models may vary slightly. Please proceed according to the specific model.
Configure switch port modes based on your VLAN requirements:
  • Configure switch ports in Trunk mode when you need to specify VLAN networks.
  • Configure switch ports in Access mode when you don't need VLAN specification.
We recommend these switch port configurations for each network:
  • Management network: Configure switch ports in Access mode.
  • Service network: Configure switch ports in Trunk mode.
  • Storage network: Configure switch ports in Access mode.
The following digram shows the network topology of the HCI appliance:
图 1. Network Topology


(Optional) Prepare Installation Package

The HCI appliance comes pre-installed with the ISO package, so you can skip this section. If you need to replace the ISO, follow the instructions in this section.

Procedure

  1. Contact the official technical support team to obtain the installation package.
    Note: After downloading the software, verify the checksum using an MD5 verification tool to ensure package integrity.
  2. Burn ISO using Fedora Media Writer.
    1. Connect your USB drive and open Fedora Media Writer.
    2. Click Custom Image to open the ISO image file that you obtained.
    3. After selecting the ISO image, keep the other options at their default settings and click Write Disk.
      Note: Burning the image will format the data on the USB drive. If you have important data on your USB drive, make sure to back it up before formatting.

What to do next

After the burning process completes, you can use the USB drive as a boot disk. The platform supports booting in Legacy mode or UEFI mode.

Install Operating System

About this task

To install the operating system on each server, follow these steps:
  1. Check server BIOS configurations.
  2. Select a boot device.
  3. Proceed with automated installation.
  4. Perform post-installation self-check.
  5. Confirm the OS version.

Procedure

  1. Check server BIOS configurations.
    The following BIOS settings are pre-configured before delivery and require no manual setup. Check these settings:
    • Make sure the hardware clock matches local time zone.
    • Confirm CPU VT and Hyper-Threading (HT) are enabled.
    • Confirm automatic restart after power failure is enabled.
    • Confirm CPU C State is disabled.
    • In RAID controller configuration:
      • Confirm two 480 GB SDD are configured in RAID1 for system disk.
      • Confirm remaining disks are in JBOD passthrough mode.
    • Confirm system boot disk is set as the first boot device.
  2. Select a boot device.

    Enter the BIOS system boot interface, select the prepared USB drive and begin installing the operating system.

    图 1. System Boot


  3. Proceed with automated installation.
    Power on all network devices and servers. The installation process will begin automatically after all servers boot into the operating system.
    Note: The installation will format all disks. Proceed with caution.
    图 2. Install OS


  4. Perform post-installation self-check.
    After the automatic installation is completed, the system verifies the following items:
    • Hyper_Converged_file: Check hyper-converged configuration files.
    • Bootstrap_IP: Check the bootstrap deployment IP address.
    • Bootstrap_Agent: Check the hyperconverged-bootstrap.service status.
    • Storage_path: Check storage-related files.
    • License_path: Check license-related files.
    • Serial_Number: Check the machine serial number.
    • Data_Disk_Size: Check disk specifications.
    Note: If the self-check fails, a red error message will appear, indicating issues during the OS installation process. Please contact official technical support for verification.
    图 3. Self-Check


  5. Confirm the OS version.
    Log in to the server operating system and run bootstrap version to check and confirm the OS version.

Start bootstrap_ui Service

After completing network connections and powering on all hosts in the HCI appliance, select one server for environment deployment. Before deploying the platform through the UI, configure the bootstrap deployment IP and start the bootstrap_ui service.

Procedure

  1. Log in to the management node system as root. The default password for the root account is cube_password.
  2. Run bootstrap init_ui to configure the bootstrap deployment IP and start the bootstrap_ui service.

    When you run this command, the system automatically scans all NICs. After the scanning is completed, select one NIC from management network/storage network/other network segment to start the bootstrap_ui service. It is recommended to use the management network for bootstrap service. After saving the configuration, the system successfully starts the bootstrap_ui service.

    [root@localhost ~]# bootstrap init_ui  //Configure bootstrap_ui
    
    Step 1: Choose Network Interface  //Choose interface for bootstrap IP configuration
    ----------------------------------------------------------------
    Please select an interface (enter the number)  //Select network interface
    
    Step 2: Network Configuration for Selected Interface  //Network interface settings
    ---------------------------------------------------------------
    1) Enter IP Address (default: xxx.xx.xx.xxx)  //Set IP address (recommended: management network IP)
    
    2) Enter Subnet Mask (default: xxx.xxx.x.x)  //Set netmask
    
    3) Enter Gateway (leave blank if none)  //Set gateway (optional)
    
    4) Enter VLAN ID [1-4096] (leave blank if none)  //Set VLAN ID (must match switch configuration)
    
    Step 3: Confirmation  //Confirm settings
    --------------------------------------------------------------
    Choose an option
    
    1) Confirm configuration
    
    2) Modify configuration
    
    3) Exit without applying changes

Deploy HCI Platform

Enter Welcome Page

Procedure

  1. After successfully starting the bootstrap_ui service, connect your laptop to the business network switch.
    Configure your laptop with an IP address in the same subnet as the bootstrap_ui IP. For example, if the configured bootstrap_ui IP is 172.26.30.242, set your laptop IP to 172.26.30.245.
  2. Open the URL http://172.26.30.242:18080 in your browser to access the HCI deployment wizard.
    图 1. Enter Welcome Page


  3. On the wizard page, click Deploy.

Discover Hosts

The system automatically scans and displays host hardware information. Select at least three hosts for deployment.

Before you begin

  • It is recommended to select hosts with the same version or upgrade the selected hosts to the same version before the deployment.
  • The selected host must have at least one 10GbE NIC with the same name and in UP status.
  • The disk types of the selected hosts must be consistent. For example, all hosts should have either all SSD disks or a mix of SSD and HDD disks.

Procedure

  1. On the Discover Host page, select the hosts you want to deploy.
    Note: To scan for newly added hosts, click Rescan.
  2. Confirm your selection and click Next.
    图 1. Discover Host


Configure Networks

Configure the management network, storage network, business network, and BMC network according to your network plan.

Procedure

  1. Configure management network.
    Set the following parameters:
    • NIC: Select one or two NICs with the same speed for Bond configuration.
    • Bond Mode: Supports Link Aggregation and Active-Backup mode.
      Note:
      • Management or business network Bond mode must match switch configuration. Use Link Aggregation mode only when the switch is configured for dynamic/static LACP. Use Active-Backup mode when the switch has no link aggregation.
      • When configuring a single NIC, only Active-Backup mode is supported.
    • IP Range: Set the management network IP range.
    • Netmask: Configure the management network netmask.
    • Gateway: Specify the gateway address
    • VLAN ID: Optional. Enter VLAN ID if the management network uses VLAN.
      Note:
      • When switch ports are in Access mode, the HCI platform must be configured as NoVLAN network and leave VLAN ID blank.
      • When switch ports are in Trunk mode, the HCI platform must be configured as VLAN network and enter the corresponding VLAN ID.
    图 1. Configure Management Network


  2. Configure storage network.
    Set the following parameters:
    • Configuration:
      • Configure Public Network and Cluster Network Together: Shares the same configuration between public network and cluster network, including NICs, Bond mode, IP range, netmask, and VLAN ID.
      • Configure Public Network and Cluster Network Separately: Requires independent configuration for public network and cluster network, including NICs, Bond mode, IP range, netmask, and VLAN ID.
      • Reuse Management Network: Applies management network configuration to both storage networks. Any management network changes will automatically update the storage networks.
    Note:
    • When configuring a single NIC, only Active-Backup mode is supported.
    • When switch ports are in Access mode, the HCI platform must be configured as NoVLAN network and leave VLAN ID blank.
    • When switch ports are in Trunk mode, the HCI platform must be configured as VLAN network and enter the corresponding VLAN ID.
    • Storage networks require 10GbE NICs. You cannot reuse 1GbE management NICs for storage networks.
    图 2. Configure Storage Network


  3. (Optional) Configure business network.
    Set the following parameters:
    • Configure Business Network: Choose whether to configure business network. By default, this switch is enabled.
    • NIC: Select one or two NICs with the same speed for Bond configuration.
    • Bond Mode: Supports Link Aggregation and Active-Backup mode.
      Note:
      • Management or business network Bond mode must match switch configuration. Use Link Aggregation mode only when the switch is configured for dynamic/static LACP. Use Active-Backup mode when the switch has no link aggregation.
      • When configuring a single NIC, only Active-Backup mode is supported.
    • IP Range: Specify the business network IP range.
    • Netmask: Set the business network netmask.
    • VLAN ID: Optional. Enter VLAN ID if the business network uses VLAN.
      Note:
      • When switch ports are in Access mode, the HCI platform must be configured as NoVLAN network and leave VLAN ID blank.
      • When switch ports are in Trunk mode, the HCI platform must be configured as VLAN network and enter the corresponding VLAN ID.
    图 3. Configure Business Network


  4. (Optional) Configure BMC network.
    Set the following parameters:
    • Configure BMC Network: Choose whether to configure BMC network for host IPMI remote connection and management. By default, this switch is disabled.
      Note: Before configuration, make sure each host has a BMC NIC attached.
    • IP Range: Specify the BMC network IP address range.
    • Netmask: Set the BMC network netmask.
    • Gateway: Configure the gateway address.
    图 4. Configure BMC Network


  5. Confirm the configuration and click Next.

Configure Host System Information

Configure system information in bulk, including hostnames and root passwords, with support for modifying individual host configurations.

Procedure

  1. Set host information in batch.
    Set the following parameters:
    • Hostname: Set the hostname and starting sequence number for the first host. Subsequent hosts will automatically generate hostnames based on this sequence.
    • Root Password: Set a root password for all hosts.
    • Confirm Root Password: Re-enter the root password for verification.
  2. (Optional) Adjust host configurations.
    The Host System page displays all host information including device SN, hostname, management IP, and storage IP. You can sort by device SN and modify hostname and IP address.
    Note:
    • When starting the bootstrap_ui service, if the bootstrap IP is configured on the management network or storage network segment, and this IP address is set as the host's management or storage network IP, then this IP address cannot be modified or reordered.
    • When the storage network and management network are shared, only the management IP can be modified manually. The storage network will update automatically.
    • When Public Network and Cluster Network are shared, only the Public IP can be modified manually. The Cluster IP will update automatically.
  3. Confirm the configuration and click Next.
    图 1. Configure Host System Information


Configure Management Node

Configure the HCI platform management node and distributed storage.

Procedure

  1. Configure the HCI platform management node.
    Set the following parameters:
    • Management Node: Select two hosts with identical versions as HCI platform management nodes.
    • Management Node VIP: Enter the virtual IP address for management nodes.
    • DNS Server: Optional. Choose whether to configure DNS server for network resolution services.
    • NTP Server: Set NTP server address, supporting both internal and external NTP servers. By default, the system uses an internal NTP server, indicating the use of a node as the internal time source. If you have an NTP server address, you can set it to an external NTP server.
  2. Configure distributed storage.
    Set the following parameters:
    • Storage System: Select your distributed storage product based on actual conditions.
    • Management Monitor Role: Select three hosts to serve as both monitoring and management nodes for the distributed storage system.
    • Replicas: Displays the current replica count for distributed storage.
    • Deployment Mode: Determined by the type of disks mounted on each host.
      • All-Flash pool: When all hosts use SSD disks.
      • Normal pool: When all hosts use HDD disks.
      • Hybrid pool: When hosts use both SSD and HDD disks.
  3. Confirm the configuration and click Next.
    图 1. Configure Management Node


Preview

Procedure

  1. The interface displays all completed configurations, which you can view either by Device or by Batch Configuration.
  2. Confirm the configuration and click Next to begin deployment.
    图 1. Preview


Deploy HCI Platform

Procedure

  1. Wait for the deployment to complete.
    The deployment page displays real-time progress for each host in list format, with options to view logs and export configuration.
    Note: If the deployment fails, click Retry Now to reinstall affected hosts.
    图 1. Deploy Host


  2. After successful deployment, click Enter HCI Platform to log in to the platform.
    图 2. Enter HCI Platform


What to do next

  • The system provides comprehensive bootstrap CLI tools for additional configuration tasks, including database inspection and firewall rule management. Run bootstrap -h to view available commands.
  • After logging in to the HCI platform, follow the wizard to complete initial environment configuration.
  • Starting from ZStack Cube Virtualization Edition 2.4.10.20, for ZCE-X distributed storage, if you need to access the distributed storage management interface directly, the default login credentials are admin/Admin@123