Performing the initial configuration
The following procedure explains how to configure the Flex Appliance software on a new appliance.
Note:
If more than the tested number of Fibre Channel devices or paths are connected to the appliance, Cohesity recommends that you disable the ports or disconnect the devices before you begin this procedure. When the procedure is complete, reenable or reconnect them. You may need to scan the ports from the Fibre Channel interfaces page.
To configure Flex Appliance
- Review the initial configuration guidelines and checklist to make sure that you have all of the necessary information to complete this procedure.
- Use the following steps to access the Flex Appliance Shell from the Veritas Remote Management Interface:
Open a supported web browser on a system that has a network connection to the appliance. Flex Appliance supports the following browsers:
Google Chrome version 139 or later recommended (minimum version 105 or later)
Mozilla Firefox version 142 or later recommended (minimum version 140 or later)
Enter the IP address that is assigned to the remote management (IPMI) port of the appliance node. If you have a multi-node appliance, select one of the nodes to use to begin the initial configuration.
Log in to the Veritas Remote Management Interface with the following default credentials:
Username: sysadmin
Password: P@ssw0rd
Change the sysadmin password from the known default password as follows:
Navigate to Configuration > Users and select the sysadmin user.
Click Modify User.
Select the Change Password check box and enter a new password.
Do one of the following to launch the Flex Appliance Shell:
Navigate to Remote Control > Console Redirection and click Launch Console.
If available, navigate to Remote Control > iKVM over HTML5 and click Launch Console over HTML5.
Note:
Availability of the HTML5 option depends on the appliance firmware version. You can check the version from the System > System Information page. The BIOS ID must show version 00.01.0016 or later.
- Log in to the Flex Appliance Shell with the following default credentials:
Username: hostadmin
Password: P@ssw0rd
- Enter the following command to change the password for the hostadmin user:
set user password
- Enter the following command to configure the host network:
setup configure-network
Follow the prompts to enter the host network information. You can enter multiple DNS server IP addresses or search domains using a comma-separated list. You can enter up to three DNS server IP addresses. If you need to add more, you can use the set network dns command after initial configuration.
- If you did not fill in the optional DNS parameters or want to bypass DNS for specific hosts, you must add the hostname resolution information to the appliance
Hostsfile. Use the following steps:Enter the following command:
system add-host
One at a time, enter the required hostname information for the following:
The node
The Flex Appliance Console if the setup configure-network prompts asked for it
You can also add the information for the other node if you have a multi-node appliance, as well as any instances you plan to create, or you can add that information later.
- Use the set date commands to set the date and time. See Setting the date and time for appliance nodes.
- Enter the following command to configure the Flex Appliance Console:
setup configure-console
Follow the prompts as applicable to your appliance to enter the console network information.
Note:
Depending on the number of storage shelves you have in the appliance, this step may take up to 15 minutes to complete. When it is complete, the shell refreshes with new command options.
- If you have a single-node appliance, the initial configuration process is now complete. Proceed to the next steps that are listed at the end of this topic.
If you have a multi-node appliance, add the second node. Then proceed to the next steps that are listed at the end of this topic.
See Adding a node.
Note:
If any part of the initial configuration fails, refer to the error message to resolve the issue and try again. If you resolve the error but experience the same failure, perform a factory reset and a storage reset to return the appliance to its factory configuration. Then restart the initial configuration process.
After you have completed the initial configuration, you must perform the following tasks before you can create an application instance and start using Flex Appliance:
Verify that you can access the Flex Appliance Console.
Configure at least one network interface. You can configure a physical interface, add a VLAN tag, or create a bond.
Add the applications that you want to use to the repository.
Add at least one tenant.
See Adding a tenant.
Cohesity recommends that you change the BIOS password.
Cohesity also recommends that you register your appliance to ensure that you receive maximum support in the event of a failure. Registration helps Cohesity to contact the right person and to dispatch field services to the correct location for repairs.
Once all of these tasks have been completed, you are ready to create an instance and start using Flex Appliance.