Configuring Compaq ProLiant Servers using SmartStart
Updated September 16, 2002
Created September 6, 2001

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 HWPREP SSBOOTMODES SYSERASE SSTIME SCU ORIG_SMART ACU F10SETUP OSINSTALL Q&A

Hardware Preparation: Using SmartStart to setup your Compaq ProLiant server

The SmartStart CD(1) will perform the following tasks: Note: 1: If you cannot locate a copy of SmartStart, please see the instructions listed here: manual-smartstart.html

Looks like a copy is located here:
http://h18007.www1.hp.com/support/files/server/us/download/22678.html

Note: 2: The Original Compaq Smart Array Controller is configured through SCU and not through ACU.
HWPREP SSBOOTMODES SYSERASE SSTIME SCU ORIG_SMART ACU F10SETUP OSINSTALL Q&A

SmartStart Boot Modes

SmartStart has at least 3 different boot modes which are determined by the current configuration status of the Server:
HWPREP SSBOOTMODES SYSERASE SSTIME SCU ORIG_SMART ACU F10SETUP OSINSTALL Q&A

Compaq System Erase

Begin the hardware preparation process by running System Erase.

Warning: System Erase deletes all information from the Compaq server.

Choose System Erase from the main menu of the SmartStart CD and follow the prompts.

Note: System Erase is available from the main menu of the SmartStart CD. Servers that have been previously configured boot to the main menu by default.

Note: If system erase has already been run on your server, then you will boot into the installation wizard.

Note: If the server has had SCO 5 installed through the assisted method on certain versions of SmartStart, then it will be stuck in a SCO 5 installation loop, clear nvram to get out of this loop: nvram.html

Note: System Erase is also available for download from http://www.compaq.com/support/files/server/us/locate/2543.html.
HWPREP SSBOOTMODES SYSERASE SSTIME SCU ORIG_SMART ACU F10SETUP OSINSTALL Q&A

Setting the Date and Time (System Clock)

Be sure to set the Date and Time when prompted to do so in SmartStart. When setting the date and time, I recommend to set it to UTC.

Current versions of Red Hat (RH71 - Sept. 2001) will not set the date and time during installation.

Store the time in the system clock in UTC format. This means (for Central Time) to add either 5 hours (if within the timeframe of the beginning of April to about the end of October) or add 6 hours (if outside of those dates).

 HWPREP SSBOOTMODES SYSERASE SSTIME SCU ORIG_SMART ACU F10SETUP OSINSTALL Q&A

Server Hardware Configuration

Once the Compaq ProLiant Server has been erased, the next step is to configure the server hardware. SmartStart automatically begins this step for you after you complete the System Erase process.

Note: This portion of the setup is equivalent to running SCU from floppies.

For a Linux installation, choose "Manual Installation of Linux". The first set of choices is Assisted / Replicated / Manual -- choose manual. When you get to the OS selection be sure to choose Linux.

Note: The manual installation of Linux does not require a "Server Profile Diskette".

Note: SmartStart "assisted install" is not designed to assist in Linux installations, you must choose "manual installation" if you will be installing Linux (9/6/01).

The server will configure the hardware and may perform several reboots during this process. This process ends by displaying the following prompt: * Continue with SmartStart * Review or Modify Hardware Settings * Install ISA Board If you have a Compaq Original Smart Array Controller, then you must choose "Review or Modify Hardware Settings" in order to configure that controller. If you do not have a Compaq Original Smart Array Controller installed, then you may choose "Continue with SmartStart" to continue the hardware preparation process.

Note: See #ORIG_SMART for instructions on configuring the Compaq Original Smart Array Controller.

Note: System Configuration Utility (SCU) is also available for download from http://www.compaq.com/support/files/server/us/locate/1950.html.
HWPREP SSBOOTMODES SYSERASE SSTIME SCU ORIG_SMART ACU F10SETUP OSINSTALL Q&A

Configuring the Compaq Original Smart Array Controller

Note: The Compaq Original Smart Array Controller is configured in SCU, while all other Compaq array controllers are configured by using the ACU (Array Configuration Utility).

A Compaq Original Smart Array Controller can be identified because it will have one of the following numbers on it: 142130-001, 002969-001, 142055-001, 181132-001, 003596-001, 003596-002, 142055-001.

If you have a Compaq Original Smart Array Controller, then let's configure it now.

The above section of SmartStart ends by displaying the following prompt:

* Continue with SmartStart
* Review or Modify Hardware Settings
* Install ISA Board

  1. For the above prompt choose "Review or Modify Hardware Settings"
  2. Then choose "Step 3: View or edit details"

  3. Now configure the Compaq Original Smart Array Controller.


    4. You will then find the Compaq Original Smart Array Controller in the listing. You configure the controller by selecting the logical drives, adding physical drives to them, and setting the raid level.

    Once you have configured the Compaq Original Smart Array Controller, exit this utility through the following steps:

  4. When done "press F10 (<DONE=F10>)"
  5. Then choose "Step 5: Save and exit"
  6. Then choose "Save the configuration and restart the computer"


    7. You will then see the following prompt:

    The SmartStart installation process will now continue. <OK=ENTER>

 HWPREP SSBOOTMODES SYSERASE SSTIME SCU ORIG_SMART ACU F10SETUP OSINSTALL Q&A

Array Controller Configuration

Note: The Compaq Original Smart Array Controller is configured in SCU, while all other Compaq array controllers are configured by using the ACU (Array Configuration Utility).

After you exit from the hardware configuration portion of setup, you will be taken to the Array Configuration Utility if you have an array controller. If you do not have an array controller, then you will be sent on to the next step which is the installation of the F10 Setup Partition.

The Array Controller Utility is used to configure any array controllers you may have. Arrays must be configured before they can be used. Creating an array involves choosing the drives for the array, choosing the raid level (1=mirroring, 2=mirrored, 5=striping with parity), and finally creating a logical drive.

Follow the prompts in ACU in order to set up your array controller.

Note: ACU will not configure the Compaq Original Smart Array Controller, you must use SCU to configure that array controller. See #ORIG_SMART for instructions on configuring the Compaq Original Smart Array Controller.

Note: ACU Downloads are available from the following locations if needed:
HWPREP SSBOOTMODES SYSERASE SSTIME SCU ORIG_SMART ACU F10SETUP OSINSTALL Q&A

Installing the Compaq F10 System Partition

SmartStart will automatically continue to this step which installs the Compaq F10 System Partition on your primary hard drive. Another names for this partition is the "Compaq F10 Setup Partition". This partition is about 39MB in size.

This partition is accessible when you press the F10 key during bootup.

LILO will need to be kept out of the MBR (Master Boot Record) in order for the F10 utility to be able to be called from the F10 key during bootup. LILO should be installed into the /boot partition in order to preserve the F10 key functioning properly during bootup.

Once this step completes, you will be taken back to SmartStart. SmartStart will then offer to create additional software for you. You do not need any additional software in order to install Linux. You may access this software creation program (called Disk Builder) at any time in the future by either booting to this SmartStart CD or by inserting it into a machine running Windows.

SmartStart will then prompt you to remove the SmartStart CD and Press OK. This step completes the SmartStart Manual Install process, the system reboots, and you are now ready to install Linux.

Note: You do not need to run SmartStart again unless you dramatically change the hardware installed in the server or you choose to install an Operating System other than Linux.

Note: You should run SCU any time you make any hardware changes to the system including changes to items such as memory, cpu's, and controller cards. SCU does not need to be run after changes to hard drives, tape drives, CD-Rom's, etc.

Here are some notes regarding the Compaq System Partition:

System Partition Installation Utility

The System Partition is a special area of the fixed disk
which can contain Compaq configuration, diagnostic and
maintenance utilities.  These utilities are more readily
available and run faster when installed on the System
Partition.
To access the System Partition, press F10 at boot time when
the cursor moves to the upper right corner of the screen.
HWPREP SSBOOTMODES SYSERASE SSTIME SCU ORIG_SMART ACU F10SETUP OSINSTALL Q&A

Installing your Operating System

After you remove the SmartStart CD-Rom as prompted by SmartStart, you have now completed the SmartStart Server Configuration and are now ready to install your operating system.

Please insert your operating system installation media and prepare to install your operating system.

Items to note during installation of Linux: Other pages that should be of interest:
HWPREP SSBOOTMODES SYSERASE SSTIME SCU ORIG_SMART ACU F10SETUP OSINSTALL Q&A

Questions and Answers

Q. What is a SmartStart CD?
A. A SmartStart CD is a CD that contains utilities for configuring Compaq ProLiant servers.
Q. Where do I find the SmartStart CD?
A. The SmartStart CD comes with each Compaq ProLiant Server.
Q. How can I get a replacement copy of SmartStart?
Q. Can I configure my Compaq ProLiant server without using the SmartStart CD?
A. Yes, you can configure the server manually with the instructions found here: manual-smartstart.html.
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