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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® 4400 Series 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 VIPRION 4400 Series AC chassis

The VIPRION 4400 Series AC-powered chassis should include all of the hardware components listed here.

Quantity Hardware
4 AC power cables, black (C19 to NEMA 6-20P)
4 AC power cable retention clips
2 Mounting brackets
4 Mounting handles
8 #8-32 1/4 inch black rack mount bracket screws
1 Front bezel (with LCD component)
1 Electrical static discharge (ESD) strap

Hardware included with the VIPRION 4400 Series DC chassis

The VIPRION 4400 Series DC-powered chassis should include all of the hardware components listed here.

Quantity Hardware
1 Two-ring grounding terminal lug, 5/8 inch (1.59 cm) holes on 1.25 inch (3.18 cm) centers
2 5/16-18 Keps nuts for the ground
2 Terminal block plugs for attaching leads to the platform
2 Quick-install rack mount brackets
8 Thumb screws
1 Front bezel (with LCD component)
2 Cable managers

Additional equipment for installing the VIPRION 4400 Series DC chassis

This equipment is required to install the VIPRION 4400 Series DC platform.

Quantity Hardware
1 Rack-mounted power disconnect
2 AWG copper ground wire
8 (minimum) AWG copper wiring leads for four power supplies
1 Molex crimping tool for the ground wire
1 Screwdriver, #2 Phillips head or flat head

Hardware included with blades

The VIPRION® B4000 Series blades should include all of the hardware components listed here.

Quantity Hardware
1 Console cable, beige (B4100 and B4200 only)
1 RJ45 to DB9 console port cable, beige (B4300/B4400 only)
1 RJ45F to RJ45M rolled adapter, beige (B4300/B4400 only)
4 SFP transceiver modules (B4100 only)
2 SFP+ 10G transceiver modules (B4200 and B4300 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® 4400 Series 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. Use a 3/8 inch drive socket to remove the outer metal brace.
    Corrugated box with outer metal brace
  2. Lift to remove the outer corrugated box from the chassis.
    Shipping box
  3. Remove the accessory boxes, cables and foam insert from the top of the chassis.
    Foam and accessory boxes
  4. Install the handles onto the back of the chassis.
    Chassis on pallet
  5. Use a 9/64 inch hex key to remove the shipping brackets from both sides of the chassis.
    Shipping brackets
  6. Use two people and have each person lift straight up to remove the chassis from the pallet.
  7. 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 4400 Series 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 and right sides of the chassis and exhausts hot air out the back and left sides of the chassis. After you have identified the intended location for the platform, you can install the chassis into the rack.

The VIPRION 4400 Series chassis includes a rack mount kit and a handle installation kit. The rack mount kit consists of two mounting brackets that you can attach at either the front, middle, or back of the platform, using the screws provided with the chassis. The location at which you attach the brackets depends on the configuration of the rack. The handle installation kit includes four handles and eight screws for attaching the handles to the chassis. The handles make it easier to lift the chassis into position for rack mounting. You must install the rack mount brackets before you can install the handle kit to lift the chassis into position.

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 pallet, F5® Networks highly recommends that you have at least two people remove the chassis from the pallet. This ensures your safety and prevents damage to the chassis.
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.

Installing the rack mount brackets

Before you install this platform, review the environmental guidelines to make sure that you are installing and using the platform in the appropriate environment.
  1. Locate the mounting brackets included with the chassis.
    These brackets, along with their corresponding screws, are in an accessory box that is included with the chassis.
    VIPRION mounting brackets
  2. Attach the mounting brackets to the appropriate location (front, middle, or rear) by using a Phillips screwdriver and the screws provided in the ship kit.
    VIPRION side view
After you install the rack mount kit, you can install the handle kit and install the chassis into a rack.

Installing the handle kit

After the rack mounting rails are mounted on the chassis, you can mount the handle kit on the chassis.
  1. Locate the handle kit included with the chassis.
    These handles, along with their corresponding #10-32 7/8 inch screws, are in a box included with the chassis. Remove the covers on the handles if they are installed.
    VIPRION handle kit
  2. Mount the two front handles on the screw holes in the rack mounting brackets. Two screws are provided for each handle. Ensure the screws are tightened to 12 to 14 inch-pounds (1.4 to 1.6 Newton-meters).
    VIPRION handle mounting holes
  3. Mount the two back handles using the mounting holes provided on the back of the chassis.
    VIPRION handle rear mounting holes
After the handles are installed, the chassis is ready to be installed in a rack. VIPRION with handles installed

Installing the chassis into a rack

Before you install the chassis into a rack, verify that the front and back lift handles are securely installed.
F5 recommends that you use two or more people to install the chassis into a rack. Be sure to install the chassis before you install blades.
Important: If you are installing the chassis into a high position on the rack or if only one person is installing the unit, be sure to use a lift or similar device.
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.
  1. Using two or more people, lift the chassis to the appropriate location on the rack.
  2. Secure the chassis to the rack using four manufacturer-provided rack screws on each side.
    The chassis must be securely fastened to the rack to provide adequate stability and to prevent the unit from falling out of the rack.

Attaching the front bezel

The front bezel includes an LCD component, which enables you to access several functions associated with the platform, such as configuring the management port for the system. The front bezel is located in one of the small boxes included in the main platform shipping crate.
  1. Grasp the front bezel on either side, using the indentations provided.
    Note: Failure to use the indentations could result in pinched fingers.
  2. Align the guide pins on the front bezel to the corresponding holes in the chassis.
    Attaching front bezel
  3. Press the front bezel onto the corresponding connections at the front of the chassis until it clicks into place.
    Pressing front bezel into place

About installing blades

The VIPRION® C4400 Series chassis supports up to four B4000 Series blades. The VIPRION C4400 chassis supports B4100 and B4200 Series blades. The VIPRION C4480 chassis supports B4200, B4300, and B4400 Series blades. For maximum performance, F5® recommends that you do not mix blade types 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: You should install blades into the chassis starting at the top slot and then in each subsequent empty slot.
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.
Note: The last blade that you install in a fully-populated chassis typically requires more insertion force than the previous blades due to the cumulative compression of the electromagnetic interference (EMI) gaskets.

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. Turn the compression screws (located on both sides of the blank) until the locking indicator changes color from green (locked) to red (unlocked).
    Compression screws (locked and unlocked)
  3. Grasp the two eject levers on the front of the blank and pull toward you.
    Grasping eject lever
  4. Fully extend the eject levers on both sides of the blank and pull out toward you to remove the blank.
    Extending eject lever

Removing a blade

  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. Turn the compression screws, located on both sides of the blade, until the locking indicator changes color from green (locked) to red (unlocked).
    Compression screws (locked and unlocked)
  5. Grasp the two eject levers on the front of the blade and pull toward you.
    Grasping eject lever
  6. Fully extend the eject levers on both sides of the blade and pull out toward you to remove the blade.
    Extending eject lever

Installing a blade

If a blank is installed in the slot in which you want to install a blade, you must first remove it.
  1. Fully extend the eject levers, located on each side of the blade, into the open position.
  2. Carefully lift the blade and align the guide grooves on either side with the corresponding grooves on the interior of the slot.
    Aligning blade in slot
    Important: Verify that the blade is aligned with these grooves; otherwise, the blade does not seat correctly in the platform.
  3. Slide the blade in until it is fully seated in the slot.
  4. When the eject levers engage the chassis, press the eject levers on the blade toward the center of the blade until locked in place.
    Engaging eject lever
  5. Turn the compression screws clockwise until they are completely secured to the platform in the green (locked) position.
    Note: The locking indicator on the compression screws turns green before the screws are completely secured to the platform; however, F5 highly recommends that you continue turning the screws until they are firmly secured.
  6. Repeat this process with each blade until all blades are secured in the unit.
    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.

Blade compatibility

These are the supported VIPRION® 4000 Series chassis/blade configurations.

Chassis B4100 Series blade B4200 Series blade B4300 Series blade B4400 Series blade
C4400 chassis x x    
C4480 chassis   x x x
Important: You can use a mixed cluster of VIPRION B4100 and B4200 Series blades only in a VIPRION 4400 chassis that is running BIG-IP® version 10.1 or later.
Important: For maximum performance, F5® recommends that you use only blades of the same model, either B4300 or B4400 Series, in a VIPRION 4480 chassis.
Note: You should not mix B4300 or B4400 blades with other blade types in a chassis.

Blade performance in mixed clusters

If you choose to create a mixed cluster, a system that includes a mixture of VIPRION® blade types, all blades will perform at the same level as the earliest blade model installed in the chassis.

For example, if you have three B4200 Series blades and one B4100 Series blade installed in a chassis, the B4200 Series blades will perform at the same level as the B4100 Series blade. Removing all B4100 blades from a mixed cluster, leaving only B4200 Series blades, enables the B4200 Series blades to perform at their maximum capacity.

Important: The VIPRION B4300 and B4400 Series blades do not support mixed cluster operation.

Blade software versions in mixed clusters

The behavior of a mixed cluster differs depending on the software versions installed on the blades.

B4200 Series blades in a cluster running BIG-IP version 10.0.x and earlier

If you install a B4200 Series blade into a B4100 cluster running a version of the BIG-IP software that is earlier than version 10.1, you could experience these scenarios:

  • You receive an error message in the cluster status for the slot in which the B4200 Series blade is installed, indicating that the blade is running the wrong software version. The software installation status also displays an error for the B4200 Series blade slot.
  • Earlier BIG-IP software versions might display in the Configuration utility, but you will not be able to install them to the B4200 Series blade. You receive an installation error message if you attempt to install an earlier version of the BIG-IP software.
  • If you upgrade the cluster to version 10.1 or later, the B4200 Series blade joins the cluster as an active member.
  • If the B4100 Series blades are subsequently removed from the cluster, the situation does not correct itself automatically, as the system will remember that the version of software for that cluster is a version prior to version 10.1. You can correct this issue by specifying that version 10.1 or later run on the cluster.
  • If you move a B4200 Series blade to a second chassis, this does not cause the other chassis to downgrade to a version earlier than version 10.1. Cluster configuration information, which includes the software version information, is tied to the chassis identifier on the chassis hardware and is removed from the blade when it is moved to another chassis.
B4100 Series blades in a cluster running BIG-IP version 10.1 and later

If you install a B4100 Series blade into a chassis with B4200 Series blades running version 10.1 or later, you could experience these scenarios:

  • The B4100 Series blade upgrades to the new software and runs (this is the typical, expected behavior).
  • The software images previously installed on the B4100 Series blade display as installable in the Configuration utility. If you attempt to install one of those images, you receive an error on the B4200 Series blades, but the installation completes successfully on the B4100 Series blades.

Trunk configuration in mixed clusters

If you replace a B4100 Series blade with a B4200 Series blade in a cluster that uses one or more trunks across the blades, you must adjust the trunk configuration to match the desired B4200 external interfaces. For example, if your trunk uses 10G ports, interface 1.1 on a B4100 Series blade is 10G, and interface 2.1 on a B4200 Series blade is 10G.

For information about configuring your VIPRION system and creating BIG-IP system objects (for example, trunks, VLANS, and self IP addresses), see VIPRION® Systems: Configuration.

Redundant system configuration and mixed clusters

If you have configured device service clustering (DSC™), previously known as a redundant system configuration, and would like to use a mixture of B4100 and B4200 Series blades, you must put the same blade type in the corresponding slots on each chassis. For example, if you install a B4200 Series blade in slot 1 and a B4100 Series blade in slot 2 on the active chassis, you must install a B4200 in slot 1 and a B4100 Series blade in slot 2 in the standby chassis.

About powering the VIPRION 4400 Series AC platform

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

Important: Do not use any power cords other than those specifically designed for the VIPRION 4400 Series platform.

Powering the AC platform

You can connect the power cables to the platform after you install it in a rack.
  1. On the back of the platform, locate the power outlets that correspond to the locations of the power supplies. Each outlet is labeled to ensure that you connect each power cord to the appropriate outlet.
    VIPRION power receptacles
  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.
After you successfully install the platform and provide it with power, you must assign a management IP address to the cluster.

About powering the VIPRION 4400 Series DC platform

If you ordered DC power as a factory option, your VIPRION® 4400 Series 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.

Additional equipment for powering the DC platform

In addition to the equipment supplied with the standard AC platform, the DC platform requires some additional equipment for installation and wiring. This additional equipment is supplied with the platform.

  • Two-ring grounding terminal lug, 5/8 inch (1.59 cm) holes on 1.25 inch (3.18 cm) centers
  • Two 5/16-18 Keps nuts for the ground
  • Two terminal block plugs for attaching leads to the platform

You need to supply this additional equipment.

  • Rack-mounted power disconnect
  • 2 AWG copper ground wire
  • Minimum 8 AWG copper wiring leads for four power supplies
  • Crimping tool for the ground wire
  • Screwdriver, #2 Phillips head or flat head

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 4400 Series platform must be grounded to a common bonding network (CBN).
Chassis ground lugs

Chassis ground lugs

Connecting the ground lug to the ground terminal

After the unit is installed in the rack and before you provide power to the system, you need to connect the grounding hardware.
  1. Use a crimping tool to crimp the ground wire to the two-ring ground terminal lug.
    Use a 2 AWG copper wire for grounding.
  2. Attach the two-ring ground terminal lug to the ground terminal.
  3. Install the M6 Keps nuts on the ground terminal lugs.
    Use 16 to 18 inch-pounds (1.8 to 2.0 Newton-meters) of torque on these Keps nuts.
  4. Connect the ground wire to a common bonding network (CBN).

About connecting the DC power source

After the platform is installed in a rack, you can wire 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).

There are two groups of terminals on the back of the chassis. When you view the chassis from the rear, there is one on the left side and one on the right side. Each terminal group contains the leads for two power supplies.

  • Use the group of leads on the right rear of the chassis labeled PWR 2 and PWR 1 for power supplies 2 and 1.
  • Use the group of leads on the left rear of the chassis labeled PWR 4 and PWR 3 for power supplies 4 and 3.
DC terminal block plug

DC terminal block plug

Note: The battery return terminals on the DC-powered platform are in an isolated DC return (DC-I) configuration.

Connecting DC power to the platform

After the unit is installed in the rack and before you provide power to the system, you need to connect the grounding hardware.
  1. After you are sure the power is off and the ground lug is connected to the ground terminal, you can connect the DC power source.
  2. After you connect the ground lug, connect the negative DC power lead to the -48V terminal on the terminal block plug.
    The terminals are clearly labeled. You should strip at least 0.50 in. (12.7 mm) of insulation off of each wire where you connect the wire to the terminal block plug.
  3. Connect the positive DC wire to the RTN terminal on the terminal block plug.
    You should strip at least 0.50 in. (12.7 mm) of insulation off of each wire where you connect the wire to the terminal block plug.
  4. Wire each supply in this manner until you have wired each terminal block plug for the two power supplies.
  5. Plug each terminal block plug into the plug on the back of the chassis.
    Use the screws supplied to attach each wiring block to the plug in the chassis. Use 16 to 18 inch-pounds (1.8 to 2.0 Newton-meters) of torque on these screws.
  6. Power on the DC power source.
    The system begins to boot.
After you successfully install the platform and provide it with power, you must assign a management IP address to the cluster.

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:

  • LCD panel
  • config utility
  • tmsh commands

Configuring the cluster IP address from the LCD

You can use the LCD panel 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: 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 panel 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 panel to configure the cluster IP subnet mask.
  1. Press the X button to access the LCD panel 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 panel to configure the default gateway IP address for the cluster.
  1. Press the X button to access the LCD panel 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 panel to configure the management IP address of a cluster member.
  1. Press the X button to access the LCD panel 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 () 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-] 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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