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Manual Chapter : Platform Installation

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Platform Installation

About installing the platform

 

After you have reviewed the hardware requirements and become familiar with the VIPRION® 2200 platform, you can install the chassis.

Warning: Due to the weight of the platform, at least two people are required to install this chassis into a rack. Failing to use two people can result in severe personal injury or equipment damage.
Important: Before you install this platform, review the environmental guidelines to make sure that you are installing and using the platform into a compatible rack and in the appropriate environment.
Important: F5® strongly recommends that you install the chassis into a rack before you install any blades. This ensures that the weight of the chassis remains manageable as you install the chassis into a rack.
Note: After you install a blade, wait approximately one to two minutes before installing another to ensure that each blade has sufficient time to boot. When the Status LED is green, the blade is fully booted.

About general recommendations for rack mounting

Although not required, a 1U empty space between chassis makes it easier for you to remove the chassis from the rack in the event that the chassis requires service. A 1U space between chassis also provides additional cable routing options.

Leaving at least 100 mm of space from the front panel of the chassis to the rack front or rack door provides enough room for you to route the cables without excessive bending or insulation damage.

A shelf or similar device is required to support the chassis if only one person is installing the chassis.

Warning: Due to the weight of the platform, at least two people are required to install this chassis into a rack. Failing to use two people can result in severe personal injury or equipment damage.
Important: This product is sensitive to electrostatic discharge (ESD). F5® recommends that you use proper ESD grounding procedures and equipment when you install or maintain the unit.

Hardware included with the AC-powered chassis

The VIPRION® 2200 Series AC-powered chassis should include all of the hardware components listed here.

Quantity Hardware
2 AC power cables (C13 to NEMA 5-15P)
2 Two-point rack mounting brackets
1 Four-point rack mounting rail kit (includes two rail assemblies, eight #8-32 thumb screws, and two cage nuts)
2 Four-point rack mounting brackets
6 M3.5 patch screws
2 Cable routing brackets
2 Cable management covers

Hardware included with the DC-powered chassis

The VIPRION® 2200 Series DC-powered chassis should include all of the hardware components listed here.

Quantity Hardware
2 DC connectors
2 Two-point rack mounting brackets
1 Four-point rack mounting rail kit (includes two rail assemblies, eight #8-32 thumb screws, and two cage nuts)
2 Four-point rack mounting brackets
6 M3.5 patch screws
2 Cable routing brackets
2 Cable management covers

Hardware included with blades

VIPRION® B2000 Series blade should include all of the hardware components listed here.

Quantity Hardware
1 RJ45 to DB9 console port cable (beige)
1 RJ45F to RJ45M rolled adapter (beige)
2 SFP+ 10G transceiver modules (B2100 and B2150 only)
1 Electrical static discharge (ESD) strap

Peripheral hardware requirements

For each platform, you might need to provide additional peripheral hardware. If you plan to remotely administer the system, it would be helpful to have a workstation already connected to the same subnet as the management interface.

Type of hardware Description
Network hubs, switches, or connectors to connect to the platform network interface ports You must provide networking devices that are compatible with the network interface ports on the platform. You can use either 10/100/1000/10000-Megabit or 40/100-Gigabit Ethernet switches.
External USB CD/DVD drive or USB flash drive You can use a USB-certified CD/DVD mass storage device or a USB flash drive for installing upgrades and for system recovery.
Note: F5® recommends that external CD/DVD drives be externally powered.
Serial console You can remotely manage the platform by connecting to a serial console terminal server through the console port.
Important: In the event that network access is impaired or not yet configured, the serial console might be the only way to access the chassis. You should perform all installations and upgrades using the serial console, as these procedures require reboots, in which network connectivity is lost temporarily.
Management workstation on the same IP network as the platform You can use the default platform configuration if you have a management workstation set up.

Unpacking the chassis

The VIPRION® 2200 chassis ships in a custom-designed package that protects the product during shipment and facilitates ease of removal when you are ready to install the chassis into a rack. Due to the weight of the chassis, there is a specific procedure that you must follow to ensure that you remove the chassis from its packaging safely and securely.
Warning: To ensure your safety and to prevent damage to the chassis, at least two people are required to remove this chassis from the shipping box.
  1. If you have not already done so, open the top of the shipping box.
    Accessory box
  2. Remove the accessory box from the foam insert.
    Foam insert
  3. Remove the foam insert from the top of the chassis.
    Chassis in box
  4. Remove the plastic wrap from the top of the chassis.
  5. Use two people and lift straight up to remove the chassis from the shipping box.
  6. Carefully move the chassis to a flat surface and set it down until you are ready to install the chassis into a rack.

About installing the chassis

You should select a location for installing the VIPRION 2200 chassis that is easy to access for adding or removing power supplies, the fan tray, or blades. The location should also provide adequate ventilation to allow sufficient airflow through the platform. The platform employs a negative pressure fan system, which draws cold air in from the front of the chassis and exhausts hot air out the back of the chassis. After you have identified the intended location for the platform, you can install the chassis into the rack.

The chassis is designed for 19-inch racks. If you are installing into a wider rack, you will need to provide adapters. The four-point rack mounting rail kit will not work with 23-inch racks.

CAUTION:
If you have not yet removed the chassis from the shipping box, F5® Networks highly recommends that you have at least two people remove the chassis from the box. This ensures your safety and prevents damage to the chassis.
CAUTION:
The fan tray handles are not intended to support the weight of the chassis. Lifting the chassis using the handles could damage the chassis and fan tray.
Important: Before you install this platform, review the environmental guidelines to make sure that you are installing and using the platform into a compatible rack and in the appropriate environment.
Important: This product is sensitive to electrostatic discharge (ESD). F5® recommends that you use proper ESD grounding procedures and equipment when you install or maintain the unit.

About the two-point rack mounting brackets

You can use the two-point rack mounting brackets if you are installing into a two-post rack.

Note: You should use the two-point rack mounting brackets to install the platform only if you are installing into a two-post rack. For installing the platform into all other types of racks or cabinets, you should use the four-point rack mounting rail kit.

Installing the two-point rack mounting brackets

Install the two-point rack mounting brackets onto the chassis if you would like to install the chassis directly onto a two-post rack.
  1. Locate the two-point rack mounting brackets included with the chassis.
    These brackets, along with their corresponding screws, are in an accessory box that is included with the chassis.
    Two-point rack mounting brackets
  2. Secure each mounting bracket to the chassis using three of the screws provided.
    Important: Using screws other than those provided risks damage to the system.
    Two-point rack mounting brackets installed
After you install the two-point rack mounting brackets, you can install the chassis into a two-post rack.

About the four-point rack mounting rail kit

The four-point rack mounting rail kit helps ease installation and removal of the chassis from a rack. The rails snap into place in the rack, and no tools are required to install a platform using this kit. The rails are optimized for installation into square hole cabinets, but they can be installed in other cabinet styles, such as round hole cabinets, using the screws provided. The rails are easily converted to mount to either cabinet style.

The rail kit includes these parts:

  • Two rail assemblies (left and right), which consist of an inner rail that you install onto the chassis and an outer rail that you install in the rack
  • Eight #8-32 thumb screws
  • Two cage nuts

Before you install this platform, review the environmental guidelines to make sure that you are installing and using the platform in the appropriate environment.

Four-point rack mounting rails

Four-point rack mounting rails

Four-point rack mounting kit hardware

Four-point rack mounting rail kit thumb screws and cage nuts

For information about installing the platform using the four-point rack mounting rail kit, see the instruction guide provided by the manufacturer, which is included with the kit hardware. After you slide the unit into the rack, use the thumbscrew on the bracket to lock the unit in place. If the thumbscrew does not reach the rack cage nut, insert a customer-provided rack screw through a slot in the bracket to lock the unit to the rack.

Warning: Due to the weight of the platform, at least two people are required to install this chassis into a rack. Failing to use two people can result in severe personal injury or equipment damage.
Important: The maximum rack mount depth supported by the four-point rack mounting rails is 38 inches (96.52 cm). Using the rails in a rack deeper than this might cause the brackets to be overextended and cause a structural failure.

After the chassis is installed into a rack, you can install the four-point rack mounting brackets.

Installing the four-point rack mounting brackets

This platform includes a pair of four-point rack mounting brackets, which you can use to secure the four-point rack-mounted chassis to a rack.
  1. Locate the four-point rack mounting brackets included with the chassis.
    These brackets, along with their corresponding screws, are in an accessory box that is included with the chassis.
    Four-point rack mounting brackets
  2. Secure each mounting bracket to the chassis using two of the screws provided.
    Important: Using screws other than those provided risks damage to the system.
    Four-point rack mounting brackets installed
  3. Secure the chassis to the rack by tightening the thumb screw on the four-point rack mounting bracket through the rack and into the threaded hole on the four-point rack mounting rail.
After you have secured the chassis to the rack, you can install the cable management system, and then supply power to the chassis.

Installing the cable management system

After you have installed and secured the chassis to a rack, you can install the cable management system.
  1. Locate the cable routing brackets and covers included with the chassis.
    The brackets and covers are in an accessory box that is included with the chassis.
    Cable routing brackets and covers
  2. Attach the cable routing brackets to the four-point rack mounting brackets by tightening the captive screws clockwise until they are completely secured.
  3. Attach the cable management covers to the brackets after you have connected cables to the blades.
    An example of a platform installed using the four-point rack mounting rail kit

About grounding the chassis

You should ground the platform after you install it in a rack.

Do not secure multiple bonding or grounding connectors with the same bolt. The grounding connectors do not need to be removed to perform service or installation procedures. You can connect other bonding or grounding conductors to a grounding connector provided a reliable bond between the connector and the equipment is not disturbed during installation, service, or maintenance of the platform.

Important: All copper grounding cable compression-type terminal lugs used for grounding must meet all appropriate safety standards.
Note: The VIPRION 2200 platform must be grounded to a common bonding network (CBN).
Chassis grounding stud

AC-powered chassis grounding stud

Chassis grounding stud

DC-powered chassis grounding studs

Connecting the chassis grounding stud to the ground terminal

You will need these tools to properly ground the chassis:

  • Crimping tool
  • Single (AC) or double (DC) ring ground terminal lug
  • For either AC or DC installations, one 14 AWG copper wire long enough to reach from the chassis to the common bonding network (CBN)
After the chassis is installed in the rack and before you provide power to the system, you need to connect the grounding hardware.
  1. Remove the M4 Keps nut from the stud.
  2. Use a crimping tool to crimp the copper ground wire to a single ring ground terminal lug.
  3. Attach the single ring ground terminal lug to the chassis grounding stud.
  4. Reinstall the M4 Keps nut to the grounding stud.
    Use 6 to 8 inch-pounds (.7 to .9 Newton-meters) of torque on the M4 Keps nut.
  5. Connect the ground wire to a common bonding network (CBN).
 

About powering the VIPRION 2200 AC platform

The AC platform ships with two power cords that you must use with the installed power supplies to power the chassis.

Important: Do not install blades or disconnect blades from the chassis before supplying power to the chassis.
Important: Do not use any power cords other than those specifically designed for the VIPRION 2200 platform.
CAUTION:
The power supply cord is used as the main disconnect device, ensure that the socket-outlet is located or installed near the equipment and is easily accessible.
Attention: Le cordon d'alimentation est utilisé comme interrupteur général. La prise de courant doit être située ou installée à proximité de l'équipement et être facile d'accès.
CAUTION:
This unit has more than one power supply cord. Disconnect two power supply cords before servicing to avoid electric shock.
Attention: Cet appareil comporte plus d'un cordon d'alimentation. Afin de prévenir les chocs électriques, débrancher les deux cordons d'alimentation avant de faire le dépannage.

Powering the AC platform

You can connect the power cables to the platform after you install the chassis into a rack.
  1. On the back of the chassis, locate the power outlets that correspond to the locations of the power supplies.
  2. Attach a power cord to the outlet and press firmly until it is fully seated.
    Attaching AC power cord
  3. Plug the power cord into an approved power source.
  4. Repeat this process for each power supply in the chassis.

About powering the VIPRION 2200 DC platform

If you ordered DC power as a factory option, your VIPRION® 2200 platform comes pre-installed with DC power supplies.

Before you power this VIPRION DC platform, see Guidelines for DC-powered equipment and Guidelines for VIPRION DC platform installation.

Connecting DC power to the platform

Important: Be sure that the DC power source is off and the ground lug is connected to the ground terminal before you connect the platform to the DC power source.
After you have assembled the DC input connector, you can connect the platform to the DC power source. When you connect the DC power source, you should also follow the safety requirements defined for your network operations center (NOC).
  1. Plug the assembled DC input connector into the outlet on the back of the chassis and then press firmly until the connector is fully seated.
    If the connector does not readily insert into the power supply, you might need to manually align it.
    Inserting DC input connector
  2. Secure the DC input connector to the chassis by tightening the captive screws clockwise until they are secured to the chassis completely.
  3. Connect the DC power cord to an approved power source.
    For more information about voltage input requirements, see Chassis hardware specifications.
  4. Repeat this process for each power supply in the chassis.
  5. Power on the DC power source.
    The system begins to boot.

About installing blades

The VIPRION® 2200 chassis supports up to two B2000 Series blades.
Note: F5® does not support mixing blade models in a chassis.

When you initially receive the chassis, the slots that can contain these blades are filled with blanks. A blank must be installed in each empty slot to ensure proper thermal management and regulatory compliance. To add a new blade, you first remove the blank from the corresponding slot and then insert the blade. Be sure to keep the blanks in case you need to change the blade configuration later. You should not operate the chassis for an extended period of time without all slots populated.

Important: This product is sensitive to electrostatic discharge (ESD). F5® recommends that you use proper ESD grounding procedures and equipment when you install or maintain the unit.
Note: Ensure that you supply power to the chassis prior to installing any blades.
Note: After you install a blade, wait approximately one to two minutes before installing another to ensure that each blade has sufficient time to boot. When the Status LED is green, the blade is fully booted.

Removing a blank

If a blank is installed in the slot where you want to install a blade, you must remove it. If the slot does not contain a blank, you can skip this procedure.
  1. Select the slot in which you want to insert the blade.
  2. Loosen the captive screws on either side of the blank with a #2 Phillips screwdriver, if necessary.
  3. Grasp the two captive screws on the front of the blank and pull straight out to remove the blank from the chassis.
    Removing a blank

Removing a blade

You can remove a blade from the chassis without powering down the system.
  1. Identify the blade that you would like to remove from the chassis.
  2. Halt the blade:
    1. Connect to the blade using the serial console.
    2. Halt the blade.
      halt
      The blade is halted when the system displays: halted.
  3. Disconnect all cables and remove any optical modules.
  4. Loosen the captive screws on either side of the blade with an appropriate screwdriver, if necessary.
  5. Grasp the two latches on the front of the blade and pull toward you.
    Grasping latch
  6. Fully extend the latches on both sides of the blade and pull out toward you to remove the blade.
    Extending latch
If you are not going to insert a replacement blade, you must install a blank in the open slot.

Installing a blade

Check if a blank is in the slot in which you want to install a blade. If so, you must first remove it.
You can install a blade in the chassis without powering down the system.
  1. Fully extend the latches, located on each side of the blade, into the open position.
    Grasping eject lever
  2. Carefully lift the blade and insert it into the empty slot.
  3. Slide the blade into the slot until it is fully seated and the latches engage.
    Grasping eject lever
  4. Tighten the captive screws clockwise until they are secured to the chassis completely.
    Important: The captive screws must be tightened properly to ensure that the blade has a strong connection to the chassis.
    Grasping eject lever
  5. Repeat this process with each blade until all blades are secured in the chassis.
    Note: After you install a blade, wait approximately one to two minutes before installing another to ensure that each blade has sufficient time to boot. When the Status LED is green, the blade is fully booted.

Connecting the cables and other hardware

After you have installed the chassis into the rack, connect the cables and other hardware.

Note: Serial (hard-wired) failover is not currently supported between VIPRION chassis. If you would like to set up device service clustering (DSC®), previously known as a redundant system configuration, you must configure network failover. For more information, see BIG-IP® Device Service Clustering: Administration.
  1. Connect an Ethernet cable to the MGMT port if you are using the default network configured on the management interface.
  2. Connect the platform to a serial console server.
    Important: In the event that network access is impaired or not yet configured, the serial console might be the only way to access the chassis. F5® strongly recommends that you perform all installations and upgrades using the serial console, as these procedures require reboots, in which network connectivity is lost temporarily.
    • Connect the serial console cable supplied by F5 to the CONSOLE port.
      Note: The default serial port settings are 19200, n, 8, 1.
    • Connect the RJ45F to RJ45M rolled serial adapter to the CONSOLE port if you are connecting the system to a serial console server with a standard CAT5 cable, and then connect the CAT5 cable to the adapter. The adapter provides the appropriate pinout connection to your equipment.
      RJ45F to RJ45M adapter

      The RJ45F to RJ45M rolled serial (pass-through) adapter

  3. If you have not already done so, power on the chassis.

You can now assign a cluster IP address to the system, and then license and provision the software.

Optionally, you should run the latest version of the qkview utility. This utility collects configuration and diagnostic information about your system into a single file that you can provide to F5 Support to aid in troubleshooting. For more information, see http://support.f5.com/kb/en-us/solutions/public/1000/800/sol1858.html.

About cluster management

The management IP address for a cluster is known as the cluster IP address. The cluster IP address enables you to access the browser-based Configuration utility to configure other aspects of the product, such as the product license, VLANs, trunks, and so on. Connecting to the cluster IP address connects you to the primary blade in the system.

With VIPRION® platforms, you assign cluster IP addresses on a per-cluster basis. Initially, all blades installed in the chassis belong to a single default cluster. During the initial setup, you only need to assign a single cluster IP address.

A blade within a cluster is known as a cluster member. You can assign a management IP address to each cluster member.

Important: When you configure an IP address for a blade, that IP address corresponds to the slot in which the blade resides. If you replace that blade with another, the new blade automatically receives the previously-configured management IP address, provided that a second operating blade is installed in the system. At least one operational blade is required at all time to preserve the existing configuration data.

You can manage clusters using these methods:

  • USB LCD module
  • config utility
  • tmsh commands

Configuring the cluster IP address from the LCD

You can use the USB LCD module to configure the cluster IP address. The options for cluster and blade management are located in the Cluster menu item under the System menu.
Note: The USB LCD module is an optional device that is not included with the platform by default. It works only with VIPRION® 2000 Series platforms.
Note: When using the LCD to manage clusters, be sure to use the Commit menu option after changing each setting. Alternatively, you can change all cluster-related settings and use the Commit option to save all settings at once.
  1. Press the X button to access the LCD menus.
  2. Use the arrow keys to select System and press the Check button.
  3. Use the arrow keys to select Cluster and press the Check button.
  4. Use the arrow keys to select Cluster Mgmt and press the Check button.
  5. Use the arrow keys to select Cluster IP and press the Check button.
    The LCD panel shows the current IP address of the cluster. The default value is 192.168.1.246.
  6. Use the arrow keys to configure the IP address of the cluster.
  7. Press the X button until you return to the Cluster Mgmt menu.
  8. Use the arrow keys to select Commit and press the Check button.
The system saves the new IP address for the cluster. You can now access the browser-based Configuration utility using the cluster IP address you assigned.

Configuring the cluster IP subnet mask from the LCD

You can use the LCD module to configure the cluster IP subnet mask.
  1. Press the X button to access the LCD menus.
  2. Use the arrow keys to select System and press the Check button.
  3. Use the arrow keys to select Cluster and press the Check button.
  4. Use the arrow keys to select Cluster Mgmt and press the Check button.
  5. Use the arrow keys to select Cluster IP Mask and press the Check button.
    The LCD shows the current subnet mask address of the cluster. The default value is 255.255.255.0.
  6. Use the arrow keys to configure the subnet mask of the cluster.
  7. Press the X button until you return to the Cluster Mgmt menu.
  8. Use the arrow keys to select Commit and press the Check button.
The system saves the new subnet mask for the cluster.

Configuring the default gateway IP address for the cluster from the LCD

You can use the LCD module to configure the default gateway IP address for the cluster.
  1. Press the X button to access the LCD menus.
  2. Use the arrow keys to select System and press the Check button.
  3. Use the arrow keys to select Cluster and press the Check button.
  4. Use the arrow keys to select Cluster Mgmt and press the Check button.
  5. Use the arrow keys to select Gateway and press the Check button.
    The LCD shows the current gateway IP address of the cluster. The default value is 0.0.0.0.
  6. Use the arrow keys to configure the gateway IP address of the cluster.
  7. Press the X button until you return to the Cluster Mgmt menu.
  8. Use the arrow keys to select Commit and press the Check button.
The system saves the new default gateway IP address for the cluster.

Configuring the management IP address of a cluster member from the LCD

You can use the LCD module to configure the management IP address of a cluster member.
  1. Press the X button to access the LCD menus.
  2. Use the arrow keys to select System and press the Check button.
  3. Use the arrow keys to select Cluster and press the Check button.
  4. Use the arrow keys to select Cluster Mbrs and press the Check button.
  5. Use the arrow keys to select the appropriate blade ( Blade [1-2] Mgmt ) and press the Check button.
  6. Use the arrow keys to select Blade Mgmt IP and press the Check button.
    The LCD shows the current IP address of the blade. The default value is 0.0.0.0.
  7. Use the arrow keys to configure the IP address of the blade.
  8. Press the X button until you return to the Blade [1-2] Mgmt menu.
  9. Use the arrow keys to select Commit and press the Check button.
The system saves the new IP address for the blade.

Configuring the cluster IP address using the config utility

You can configure the cluster IP address using the config utility after you connect a blade to a serial console.
  1. Connect to the system using the serial console.
  2. Start the config utility.
    config
    The config utility displays.
  3. Follow the prompts to configure the cluster IP address, subnet mask, and gateway address for the management port.
The system saves the new IP address, subnet mask, and gateway address for the cluster. You can now access the browser-based Configuration utility using the cluster IP address you assigned.

Configuring the cluster IP address using tmsh

You can configure the cluster IP address using tmsh after you connect a blade to a serial console.
  1. Connect to the system using the serial console.
  2. Set the cluster IP address and subnet mask.
    tmsh modify sys cluster default address <ip_address/mask>
    Example: tmsh modify sys cluster default address 192.168.217.44/24
  3. Set the default gateway for the cluster.
    tmsh modify sys management-route default gateway <gateway_ip>
    Example: tmsh modify sys management-route default gateway 172.20.80.254
  4. Write the running configuration to the stored configuration files.
    tmsh sys save [base-config | config]
The system saves the new IP address, subnet mask, and gateway address for the cluster. You can now access the browser-based Configuration utility using the cluster IP address you assigned.

Licensing the platform

Once the cluster IP address is configured for the platform, you can use the browser-based Configuration utility to license the appropriate BIG-IP software.
  1. Using a Web browser, navigate to the cluster IP address that you assigned to the VIPRION system.
    Use this format, where <cluster_ip_address> is the cluster IP address you assigned:
    https://<cluster_ip_address>
  2. Type admin as the user name and admin as the password.
    If this is the first time you have accessed the Configuration utility, the first screen you see is the License screen.
  3. Follow the instructions in the Configuration utility to license the platform.
    For more information about licensing the system, click the Help tab.

Verifying blade availability

At this point, you have installed the VIPRION platform, powered it, installed blades, assigned a cluster IP address to the system, and licensed it for use. Next, you need to ensure that the blades are recognized by the software and available for processing network traffic.
  1. Using a Web browser, navigate to the cluster IP address that you have assigned to the VIPRION platform.
    The Configuration utility opens.
  2. On the Main tab, click System > Clusters .
    The Clusters screen opens.
  3. In the Cluster Members area, verify that all blades listed have a green status icon in the Status column.
    The green circle icon indicates that the cluster member is available.
Now you have installed a VIPRION platform successfully and prepared it for use on your network. The next steps involve further configuration of the platform by adding the trunks, VLANs, and self IP addresses that are necessary for the system to manage your network traffic effectively.
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