HPE Synergy 12000 Initial Acess issues

[Ajithraj]

HI

      We are setting up a new HPE Synergy 12000 Frame with 480 compute modules, with 2 x VC 100G modules installed at ICM3 and 6 Slot, with redundancer Composer1 appliance, 2 x FLM Module ( old model with Copper ports). We connected to the Synergy console network RJ-45 port at the front of the frame,DHCP assigned ip of 192.168.10.2 to the laptop, and  using VNC viewer we could connect to the console then to the oneview, however after performing a reboot of Frame link the connection got termianted, later the default IP of the module 192.168.10.1 is not pingable at all. We tried to reset the module by pressing the reset button at the front panel, no success. Later we removed the 2 x Composer modules and powering on with 1 x FLM module, still we could not ping to 192.168.10.1, but surpringly we could connect to the console via VNC viewer but couldnt connect to the oneview services.  Then we plugged back the synergy composer, still there is no luck. Is there anything missing here. Once we get access we will do the complete firmware upgrade. But we are stuck because of these access issues. Please advise if there is any way to fix this. 

[DanCernese]

Some general info that might help.  Usually, pulling things out makes the situation more confusing (not simpler) because it takes time for things to settle; especially once you put them back in.  If you are connected to the front panel/DHCP/VNC and you reset an FLM module, chances are 50/50 you just disconnected your session; and even though you seemed to have hit some confusion, it clearly reconnected because you could use VNC again.

Perhaps it is unclear, but HPE OneView is the firmware on the composer that you pulled out.  So if you pull out the composers, you have no OneView and no management of the frame except what you can see through the front panel.  That would be, for example, the serial console access to the various components and inventory, etc.

You put the composers back and "still no luck"-- did you wait ~20 minutes for them to fully boot?  You can use the front panel to connect to those appliance serial consoles and watch the boot to ensure there's no hardware issue.

[DanCernese]

The short answer is, put everything back in.  Connect to the front panel.  Can you connect to HPE OneView?  If not, use the serial console menu item to look at both appliances.. ..is there a login prompt?  If not, open a support case.  If yes, login using "maintenance" and go from there.

[DanCernese]

Note:  some manufacturing runs of Composer2 require a self-initialization on first power up.  That can take almost a full hour; and if you pull it out during that time it may restart the hour or it may never finish.  That's why it's important to use the serial console and ensure you didn't interrupt the first boot initialization or at least you can see it complete to the login prompt (before which time it will reboot 1-3 times for the self-initialization first power on only).

[Ajithraj]

Yes you are right. We got disconnected fromt front Frame link port when we reset. What happened after that is strange, that we are unable to ping to IP of the FL 192.168.10.1, but advanced IP scanner shows IP alive. Then after removing the composer modules and then factory reseting the frame link port at the front, DHCP assigned IP to our laptop, but still 192.168.10.1 is not pingable, but strangely i can connect to the 192.168.10.1 via VNC viewer. and through that to console, but oneview was not connecting (since composer is not present). We plugged back and still it did not connect and as it was late we left the site. Today we are trying again onsite. 

How to connect to the serial console of the composer? Is there a console port directly in the front of composer module, i saw only usb port. 

[Ajithraj]

We should try to connect to Serial console today. Is there a direct serial cosnole port at the front side of the composer module?

[Ajithraj]

It was a mistake. I have worked well on C7000 but not on Synergy, the misatke i did was, when i got the access to the Oneview for the first time i forgot to configure static IP for FLM redundant modules. Big lesson!

[DanCernese]

No, it's a menu item from the front panel (you should see using VNC) in the upper-right corner.  My lab is not reachable at the moment otherwise I'd show you a screen shot.

[DanCernese]

Just for clarification:  the FLM modules do not receive IP addresses.  Once you get into HPE OneView initial configuration, the network addresses represent the pair of Composers.  One floating IP for primary web interface.  The other two are for maintenance operations directly to one or the other.

Unlike c7000, the FLM is not given a static IP like the OA was on c7000 because you never connect to an FLM except through the front panel.

[DanCernese]

I'm not sure this is the same verison as you have, but look in the upper right:

[Ajithraj]

Thanks for the clarifications. So there would be a floating IP, and two static IP assigned to the composer modules as well? Or is it just we use only IP to connect via FLM module at slot1 and Slot2 or front module? Is there a way to connect to the Composer directly using sub serial port or anything like that?

[DanCernese]

Let's recap.  You do not assign addresses to any FLM (or front panel).  Ever.   

Assuming everything is working; there is a "Getting Started" poster delivered with the hardware that explains exactly how to set it up.  You connect to the front panel, click on "connect to oneview" and do the "hardware setup".  You assign a static IP address (that is floating) for the composer pair's web interface.  Additionally, there is one maintenance IP for each composer should someone need to get onto them to fix something.

Unless you are attempting to triage hardware or cabling issues, you basically should never worry about an FLM.  The front panel is just a piece of hardware to get you to the FLM's interface that shows all the connected hardware and in the upper-right (I posted the screen shot) is the menu item to reach all the component's serial interfaces (virtually, no cables).

Yes, there are some cabling options for some of the modules (like FLM) but you do not need them.

[Ajithraj · Accepted solution]

Hi Everyone

                  Finally we ended up replacing the Frame. It was due to broken frame. Thanks everyone for their valuable assitance .