Cisco UCS « IT Infrastructure Services (IT IS) Blog

How to recover the only administrator account for Cisco UCS Manager

Posted on October 29, 2015 Updated on October 29, 2015

Recovering the only administrator account for Cisco UCS Manager:

If we lost/forgot the password of the only administrator account, you cannot retrieve the original password. However you have the option to recover it by changing the password for which you need to to power cycle all fabric interconnects (FI) in a Cisco UCS domain.

You can reset the password for all other local accounts through Cisco UCS Manager. However, you must log in to Cisco UCS Manager with an account that includes aaa or admin privileges. If you do not have access to a admin account then read below:

I am going to tell you in steps how to do that:

Prerequisite 1: Determining the Leadership Role of a Fabric Interconnect

In the Navigation pane, click the Equipment tab.
In the Equipment tab, expand Equipment > Fabric Interconnects.
Click the fabric interconnect for which you want to identify the role.
In the Work pane, click the General tab.
In the General tab, click the down arrows on the High Availability Details bar to expand that area.
View the Leadership field to determine whether the fabric interconnect is the primary or subordinate.

Prerequisite 2: Verifying the Firmware Versions on a Fabric Interconnect

You can use the following procedure to verify the firmware versions on all fabric interconnects in a Cisco UCS domain. You can verify the firmware for a single fabric interconnect through the Installed Firmware tab for that fabric interconnect.

In the Navigation pane, click the Equipment tab.
In the Equipment tab, click the Equipment node.
In the Work pane, click the Firmware Management tab.
In the Installed Firmware tab, verify that the following firmware versions for each fabric interconnect match the version to which you updated the firmware:

Kernel version

System version

Scenario 1: Recovering the Admin Account Password in a Standalone Configuration

This procedure will help you to recover the password that you set for the admin account when you performed an initial system setup on the fabric interconnect. The admin account is the system administrator or superuser account.

Before You Begin:

Physically connect the console port on the fabric interconnect to a computer terminal or console server
Determine the running versions of the following firmware:

The firmware kernel version on the fabric interconnect

The firmware system version

Connect to the console port.
Power cycle the fabric interconnect:

Turn off the power to the fabric interconnect.

Turn on the power to the fabric interconnect.

In the console, press one of the following key combinations as it boots to get the loader prompt:

Ctrl+l

Ctrl+Shift+r

You may need to press the selected key combination multiple times before your screen displays the loader prompt.

Boot the kernel firmware version on the fabric interconnect.

loader >

boot /installables/switch/

kernel_firmware_version

Example:

loader >

boot /installables/switch/ucs-6100-k9-kickstart.4.1.3.N2.1.0.11.gbin

Enter config terminal mode.

Fabric(boot)#

config terminal

Reset the admin password.

Fabric(boot)(config)#

admin-password

password

Choose a strong password that includes at least one capital letter and one number. The password cannot be blank. The new password displays in clear text mode.

Exit config terminal mode and return to the boot prompt.
Boot the system firmware version on the fabric interconnect.

Fabric(boot)#

load /installables/switch/

system_firmware_version

Example:

Fabric(boot)#

load /installables/switch/ucs-6100-k9-system.4.1.3.N2.1.0.211.bin

After the system image loads, log in to Cisco UCS Manager.

Scenario 2: Recovering the Admin Account Password in a Cluster Configuration

This procedure will help you to recover the password that you set for the admin account when you performed an initial system setup on the fabric interconnects. The admin account is the system administrator or superuser account.

Before You Begin

Physically connect a console port on one of the fabric interconnects to a computer terminal or console server.
Obtain the following information:

The firmware kernel version on the fabric interconnect

The firmware system version

Which fabric interconnect has the primary leadership role and which is the subordinate

Connect to the console port.
For the subordinate fabric interconnect.
Turn off the power to the fabric interconnect.
Turn on the power to the fabric interconnect.
In the console, press one of the following key combinations as it boots to get the loader prompt:

Ctrl+l

Ctrl+Shift+r

You may need to press the selected key combination multiple times before your screen displays the loader prompt.

Power cycle the primary fabric interconnect:
Turn off the power to the fabric interconnect.
Turn on the power to the fabric interconnect.
In the console, press one of the following key combinations as it boots to get the loader prompt:

Ctrl+l

Ctrl+Shift+r

You may need to press the selected key combination multiple times before your screen displays the loader prompt.

Boot the kernel firmware version on the primary fabric interconnect.

loader > boot /installables/switch/

kernel_firmware_version

Example:

loader > boot /installables/switch/ucs-6100-k9-kickstart.4.1.3.N2.1.0.11.gbin

Enter config terminal mode.

Fabric(boot)# config terminal

Reset the admin password.

Fabric(boot)(config)# admin-password password

Choose a strong password that includes at least one capital letter and one number. The password cannot be blank. The new password displays in clear text mode.

Exit config terminal mode and return to the boot prompt.
Boot the system firmware version on the primary fabric interconnect.

Fabric(boot)# load /installables/switch/

system_firmware_version

Example:

Fabric(boot)# load /installables/switch/ucs-6100-k9-system.4.1.3.N2.1.0.211.bin

After the system image loads, log in to Cisco UCS Manager.
In the console for the subordinate fabric interconnect, do the following to bring it up:
Boot the kernel firmware version on the subordinate fabric interconnect.

loader > boot /installables/switch/

kernel_firmware_version

Boot the system firmware version on the subordinate fabric interconnect.

Fabric(boot)# load /installables/switch/

system_firmware_version

How to install a memory on a Cisco UCS B200 M3

Posted on June 9, 2015 Updated on June 10, 2015

To install a DIMM into the blade server, follow these steps:

Procedure

Step 1: Open both DIMM connector latches.

Step 2: Press the DIMM into its slot evenly on both ends until it clicks into place.

DIMMs are keyed, if a gentle force is not sufficient, make sure the notch on the DIMM is correctly aligned.

Note: Be sure that the notch in the DIMM aligns with the slot. If the notch is misaligned you may damage the DIMM, the slot, or both.

Step 3: Press the DIMM connector latches inward slightly to seat them fully.

Supported DIMMs

The DIMMs supported in this blade server are constantly being updated. A list of currently supported and available drives is in the specification sheets at:

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/ps10280/products_data_sheets_list.html

Cisco does not support third-party memory DIMMs, and in some cases their use may irreparably damage the server and require an RMA and down time.

Memory Arrangement

The blade server contains 24 DIMM slots—12 for each CPU. Each set of 12 DIMM slots is arranged into four channels, where each channel has three DIMMs.

1

Channels A-D for CPU 1

2

Channels E-H for CPU 2

DIMMs and Channels

Each channel is identified by a letter—A, B, C, D for CPU1, and E, F, G, H for CPU 2. Each DIMM slot is numbered 0, 1, or 2. Note that each DIMM slot 0 is blue, each slot 1 is black, and each slot 2 is off-white or beige.

The figure below shows how DIMMs and channels are physically laid out on the blade server. The DIMM slots in the upper and lower right are associated with the second CPU (CPU shown on right in the diagram), while the DIMM slots in the upper and lower left are associated with the first CPU (CPU shown on left).

Physical representation of DIMMS and channels

Courtesy: Cisco

This entry was posted in Cisco UCS and tagged Cisco UCS B200 M3 Blade Server, How to install a memory on a Cisco UCS B200 M3, Installing Memory, Installing RAM, Memory Upgrade.

What is FlexPod?

Posted on May 11, 2015 Updated on May 16, 2015

FlexPod is a integrated computing, networking, and storage solution developed by Cisco and NetApp. Its configurations and workloads are published as Cisco Validated Designs. FlexPod is categorized by established and emerging client needs:

FlexPod Data Center was developed for large enterprises.
FlexPod Express serves small and medium-sized enterprises.
FlexPod Select focuses on high capacity and performance for specialized workloads.

Cisco and NetApp support FlexPod deployments through the Cooperative Support Model.

FlexPod components include Cisco Unified Computing System (Cisco UCS)servers, Cisco Nexus switches, and NetApp unified storage systems.

The FlexPod architecture can scale up or out. And it can be optimized for a variety of mixed workloads in both virtualized and nonvirtualized environments.

Large enterprise data centers need agile platforms with high availability and scalable storage. Along with reducing operating costs, chief information officers want to use a converged infrastructure to support hybrid cloud computing.

Small and medium-sized enterprises need a simplified setup and easy use, access to public cloud services, and greater value for their data center budgets.

Many enterprises also need purpose-built, high-capacity platforms for specialized workloads. Large-scale, real-time data analytics place unique demands on computing stacks. Video surveillance, in-memory databases, and public cloud infrastructures have similar capacity needs.

FlexPod’s architecture can be configured for the growing needs of all these clients. FlexPod is deployed with more than 4100 customers and available in more than 100 countries. For the future, FlexPod customers and partners want configuration guidance, easy ordering, and validation for the configuration that is most aligned with their needs.

To meet these emerging trends, FlexPod delivers three named configurations:

FlexPod Data Center
FlexPod Express
FlexPod Select

Cisco and NetApp support FlexPod through a Cooperative Support Model, receive best in class experience from NetApp, Cisco and our ecosystem partners delivered through collaborative and coordinated support services for your FlexPod integrated infrastructure.

FlexPod benefits from integrated management in the form of Cisco UCS Director.UCS Director supports cohesive, flexible data centers, built on FlexPod, that increase IT and business agility, while reducing operational processes and expenses.

An overview of the FlexPod solution is available through an iPad app.

FlexPod’s architectural flexibility is underpinned by a series of Cisco Validated Designs. These guides cover the important areas of the FlexPod infrastructure, applications on FlexPod, and security.

Featured Validated Designs

Infrastructure
- FlexPod Datacenter with VMware vSphere 5.5 and Cisco UCS Director(PDF – 12.1 MB)
- FlexPod with Cisco UCS Mini Design Guide (PDF – 2.1 MB)
- FlexPod Datacenter with VMware vSphere 5.5 Update 2 and Cisco Nexus 9000 Application Centric Infrastructure (ACI) Design Guide (PDF – 7.7 MB)
- FlexPod Datacenter with VMware vSphere 5.5 U1 and Cisco Nexus 9000 Series Switches Design Guide (PDF – 2.8 MB)
- FlexPod Datacenter with VMware vSphere 5.5 Update 1 Design Guide (PDF – 3.9 MB)
- FlexPod Datacenter with VMware vSphere 5.5 Update 1 with 7 – Mode (PDF – 7.8 MB)
- FlexPod Data Center with VMware vSphere 5.1U1 and Cisco Nexus 9000 Series Switches Design Guide (PDF – 2.6 MB)
- FlexPod Data Center with VMware vSphere 5.1U1 and Cisco Nexus 6000 Series Switches Design Guide
- FlexPod Data Center with VMware vSphere 5.1 and Nexus 7000 Using FCoE Design Guide
Security
- FlexPod Data Center with Cisco Secure Enclaves (PDF – 7.0 MB)
Microsoft
Oracle
- Oracle RAC on FlexPod (PDF – 11.0 MB)
- Oracle JD Edwards on FlexPod with Oracle Linux
SAP
- FlexPod Datacenter for SAP Solution (PDF – 12.7 MB)

Videos

Secure Multitenancy and FlexPod (13:29 min)
FlexPod Management and Automation (5:36 min)
Introduction to FlexPod Express (2:14 min)

Solution Briefs

Featured Case Studies

Americas
- Katz, Sapper & Miller (PDF – 558 KB)
- King County (PDF – 563 KB)
- Photobucket (PDF – 457 KB)
- ActioNet (PDF – 394 KB)
Asia-Pacific
- County Fire Authority (PDF – 454 KB)
- Energia Communications, Inc.(PDF – 169 KB)
- Duzon Bizon (PDF – 689 KB)
- Swinburne University of Technology (PDF – 382 KB)
EMEAR
- Toyota Tsusho Africa (PDF – 317 KB)
- Groupe Mutuel (PDF – 226 KB)
- Suttons Group (PDF – 273 KB)
- Steria (PDF – 209 KB)

A more complete listing is available on the Data Center Case Studies.

Courtesy: Cisco

This entry was posted in Cisco UCS, FlexPod and tagged Cisco UCS Manager, FlexPod, UCS commands.

How to install NIC Teaming Driver and configure NIC Teaming in a Cisco UCS B200-M3

Posted on May 7, 2015

The Cisco NIC Teaming Driver is contained in the UCS-related Windows Utilities ISO. You can download it from http://www.cisco.com. Depending on your platform, choose either Cisco UCS B-Series Blade Server Software or Cisco UCS C-Series Rack-Mount UCS-Managed Server Software. Once you have installed Windows on the blade you can proceed to install the teaming software.

First let us see how to install the NIC teaming driver on the server.

Step 1

In Windows, open a command prompt with administrator privileges.

Step 2

At the command prompt, enter enictool -p “drivers_directory”The Cisco NIC Teaming Driver is installed using the .inf files located in the specified directory.Example:This example installs the teaming driver using the .inf files located in the temp directory:

C:\> enictool -p "c:\temp"

Once the driver is installed, you need to configure the teaming on the desired NICs.

Step 1	In Windows, open a command prompt with administrator privileges.
Step 2	To create a team, enter enictool -c “list of connections” -m modeThe mode options are as follows: 1—Active Backup 2—Active Backup with failback to active mode 3—Active Active (transmit load balancing) 4—802.3ad LACP Example:This example creates a team of two NICs in Active Backup mode: C:\> `enictool -c "Local Area Connection" "Local Area Connection 2" -m 1`
Step 3	To delete a team, enter enictool -d “list of connections” Example:This example deletes a team of two NICs: C:\> `enictool -d "Local Area Connection" "Local Area Connection 2"`
Step 4	To view additional options and usage information, enter enictool /?Use the displayed command option information to configure load balancing method, load balancing hash method, and other options.

This entry was posted in Cisco UCS, Windows and tagged How to install NIC Teaming Driver and configure NIC Teaming in a Cisco UCS B200-M3.

How to fix UCSM login problems with the Java 7 Update 45

Posted on May 5, 2015 Updated on May 10, 2015

This thread was brought to my attention – https://supportforums.cisco.com/thread/2246189

After updating Java to Update 45 – you can no longer login to UCSM (UCS Manager)

You may see one of two errors:

Login Error: java.io.IOException: Invalid Http response

Login Error: java.io.IOException: Server returned HTTP response code: 400 for URL: http://x.x.x.x:443/nuova

Cisco Bug ID: CSCuj84421

This is due to a change introduced in Java

The solution posted is to rollback to Update 25. Rolling back to Update 40 also works.

This entry was posted in Cisco UCS and tagged UCS console does not open, UCSM login problems with the Java 7 Update 45.

DCICN Exam – Cisco Data Center Networking (640-911) details and Study Guide

Posted on April 24, 2015 Updated on May 10, 2015

The 640-911 DCICN “Introducing Cisco Data Center Networking” is one of the exams associated with the CCNA® Data Center certification. This 90-minute 65−75 questions exam tests a candidate’s knowledge of networking concepts for the Data Center environment, based on Nexus-OS. You will learn fundamental information on how a Data Center network works; and how to configure virtualization in the network, addressing schemes, troubleshooting and configuration skills. Candidates can prepare for this exam by taking the course 640-911 DCICN, “Introducing Cisco Data Center Networking”.

The following topics are general guidelines for the content likely to be included on the exam. However, other related topics may also appear on any specific delivery of the exam. In order to better reflect the contents of the exam and for clarity purposes, the guidelines below may change at any time without notice.

Download Complete List of Topics in PDF format

The Study/Learn tabs for the 640-911 DCICN Exam page.

DCICN Exam Topics