Dell EMC VxBlock Systems 350 Instruction Manual

Dell EMC
VxBlock™ and Vblock® Systems 350
Administration Guide
Document revision 1.8
October 2017

Revision history
Date Document revision Description of changes
October 2017 1.8 Added a section for configuring VMware
Enhanced Linked Mode (vSphere 6.5U1).
ELM dependencies and limitations - updated
statement regarding Vision software.
October 2017 1.7 Added and updated topics for VMware vSphere
6.5.
Updated the following topics:
•Starting Cisco UCS Manager - added UCS
Manager 3.x changes.
•Upgrading the Cisco UCS C2x0 Server -
split into two topics CIMC 2.x firmware and
CIMC 3.x.
Deleted the topic Backing up network devices
running Cisco IOS software - Nexus switches
do not run IOS so this topic was not required.
Refer to the topic Backing up network devices
running Cisco NX-OS software.
Adding a VLAN to a service profile template -
removed step 4.
September 2017 1.6 Added a section containing guidance for
configuring VMware Enhanced Linked Mode.
September 2017 1.5 Updated to support Dell EMC Unity All-Flash
350F, 450F, 550F, and 650F storage arrays for
VxBlock System 350.
August 2017 1.4 Made updates related to IPv6.
June 2017 1.3 Added the following section to the document:
Managing VMware NSX with VPLEX on
VxBlock Systems
February 2017 1.2 Added a note about how to determine whether
an NX-OS upgrade might need to be done in
two stages rather than the usual one.
Changes for Cisco Falcon software
Added support for IPv6.
December 2016 1.1 Removed VLAN 118 from topics.
October 2016 1.0 Initial version
Revision history | 2

Contents
Introduction.................................................................................................................................................8
IPI Appliance............................................................................................................................................... 9
Managing compute resources.................................................................................................................10
Starting Cisco UCS Manager 3.x......................................................................................................... 10
Directly upgrading firmware at endpoints.......................................................................................10
Upgrading with Cisco UCS Firmware Auto Install..........................................................................12
Activating a Cisco UCS Manager Capability Catalog...........................................................................15
Activating a port license....................................................................................................................... 16
Adding a UUID range........................................................................................................................... 17
Deleting a UUID pool............................................................................................................................18
Adding a WWNN range........................................................................................................................ 18
Deleting a WWNN range...................................................................................................................... 19
Adding a WWPN range........................................................................................................................ 20
Deleting a WWPN range...................................................................................................................... 21
Adding a MAC address range.............................................................................................................. 22
Deleting a MAC pool............................................................................................................................ 23
Creating an IP address block in the management pool........................................................................23
Creating vNIC templates...................................................................................................................... 24
Modifying the time zone setting............................................................................................................25
Adding a network time protocol server...........................................................................................26
Removing a network time protocol server......................................................................................26
Adding a syslog server......................................................................................................................... 27
Removing a syslog server.................................................................................................................... 28
Adding an SNMP server.......................................................................................................................28
Removing an SNMP server..................................................................................................................29
Cisco Trusted Platform Module............................................................................................................ 29
Managing service profiles.....................................................................................................................30
Configuring service profile templates.............................................................................................30
Cloning the service profile templates.............................................................................................33
Adding vNICs to the service templates..........................................................................................34
Configuring service profile templates for Disjoint Layer 2..............................................................35
Assigning or modifying a management IPv4 address....................................................................36
Creating a named VLAN on both FIs.............................................................................................36
Creating an in-band network profile for the IPv6 management address assignment.................... 37
Assigning or modifying a management IPv6 address....................................................................38
Assigning service profiles.............................................................................................................. 38
Renaming service profiles..............................................................................................................39
Managing networking resources.............................................................................................................40
Managing VMware NSX....................................................................................................................... 40
Creating a named VLAN on both FIs................................................................................................... 40
Creating a new VLAN group.................................................................................................................41
Adding a VLAN to a service profile template........................................................................................41
Adding a VLAN to a vNIC template...................................................................................................... 42
3 | Contents

Adding a VLAN to the Cisco Nexus 1000V Switch...............................................................................42
Adding a VLAN to the Cisco Nexus switches.......................................................................................43
Removing a VLAN from the Cisco Nexus switches..............................................................................43
Configuring a vPC................................................................................................................................ 44
Deleting a vPC..................................................................................................................................... 46
Adding VLANs to a vPC....................................................................................................................... 46
Removing VLANs from a vPC.............................................................................................................. 47
Adding vPCs to VLANs for Disjoint Layer 2 networks.......................................................................... 48
Viewing vPCs assigned to VLANs for Disjoint Layer 2 networks......................................................... 50
Removing vPCs from VLANs for Disjoint Layer 2 networks.................................................................50
Upgrading Cisco Nexus series switch software................................................................................... 51
Downgrading Cisco Nexus switch software......................................................................................... 53
Managing Cisco MDS switches............................................................................................................... 55
Upgrading Cisco MDS switch software................................................................................................ 55
Downgrading Cisco MDS switch software............................................................................................57
Configuring a VSAN............................................................................................................................. 57
Removing a VSAN............................................................................................................................... 58
Configuring a domain ID and priority for a VSAN.................................................................................58
Removing a domain ID and priority from a VSAN................................................................................ 59
Enabling FC interfaces......................................................................................................................... 60
Disabling FC interfaces........................................................................................................................ 60
Moving licenses between FC interfaces...............................................................................................61
Disabling port licenses......................................................................................................................... 62
Guidelines and configuration recommendations.................................................................................. 62
Zoning guidelines................................................................................................................................. 63
Managing storage resources...................................................................................................................64
Creating a storage pool........................................................................................................................ 64
Expanding a storage pool.....................................................................................................................64
Allocating block storage....................................................................................................................... 65
Managing NFS..................................................................................................................................... 66
Creating a NAS server...................................................................................................................66
Creating a file system.................................................................................................................... 67
Creating a tenant........................................................................................................................... 67
Creating NFS shares..................................................................................................................... 68
Managing VMware vSphere 6 with IPv6..................................................................................................69
Managing VMware vSphere ESXi 5.5 and 6.x.........................................................................................70
Installing the latest VMware vSphere ESXi patch (vSphere 6.0)......................................................... 70
Installing the latest VMware vSphere ESXi patch (vSphere 6.5)......................................................... 71
Configuring advanced settings for VMware vSphere ESXi (vSphere 6.0)........................................... 72
Configuring advanced settings for VMware vSphere ESXi (vSphere 6.5)........................................... 73
Restoring default values for VMware vSphere ESXi advanced settings (vSphere 6.0)....................... 74
Restoring default values for VMware vSphere ESXi advanced settings (vSphere 6.5)....................... 75
Hardening security on VMware vSphere ESXi hosts........................................................................... 75
Increasing the disk timeout on Microsoft Windows VMs...................................................................... 75
Installing vCenter Server root certificates on web browser (vSphere 6.5)........................................... 76
Contents | 4

Setting up Java and Internet Explorer on the management workstation or VM (vSphere 6.x).............76
Managing VMware vCenter SSO for VMware vSphere 6.x....................................................................78
VMware vCenter SSO overview...........................................................................................................78
Unlocking and resetting the VMware vCenter SSO administrator password ...................................... 78
Managing the lockout status of VMware vCenter SSO account ..........................................................78
Managing VMware vCenter SSO default password policies................................................................ 79
Managing VMware vCenter SSO lockout policies................................................................................79
Adding an AD identity source to VMware vCenter SSO.......................................................................79
Backing up or restoring the VMware external PSC configuration........................................................ 81
File-Based Backing up and Restoring vCenter Server Appliance (vSphere 6.5)................................. 81
Redirecting VMware vCenter Server to the secondary external Platform Services Controller ............81
Managing virtualization............................................................................................................................83
Patching VMware vSphere ESXi hosts with the VUM (vSphere 6.0)................................................... 83
Patching VMware vSphere ESXi hosts with the VUM (vSphere 6.5)................................................... 85
Supported guest operating systems.....................................................................................................88
Using VMware Enhanced vMotion Compatibility with Cisco UCS blade servers................................. 88
Enabling VMware Enhanced vMotion Compatibility within a cluster.................................................... 89
Configuring the Virtual Flash Read Cache........................................................................................... 89
Managing VMware VDS............................................................................................................................ 91
Provisioning a VMware VDS configuration...........................................................................................91
Modifying an existing distributed port group.................................................................................. 91
Creating a distributed port group................................................................................................... 93
Configuring a VMkernel interface...................................................................................................93
Associating VMware vSphere ESXi hosts to an existing VMware VDS.........................................95
Configuring jumbo frames on VMware VDS.................................................................................. 96
Configuring jumbo frames on distributed port groups.................................................................... 97
Modifying CoS settings.................................................................................................................. 97
Decommissioning VMware VDS components......................................................................................98
Deleting a distributed port group....................................................................................................99
Disassociating the VMware vSphere ESXi host.......................................................................... 101
Removing a VMware VDS........................................................................................................... 105
Using disjoint layer 2 configuration on VMware VDS......................................................................... 108
Creating a VMware VDS for Disjoint Layer 2 configuration......................................................... 108
Creating distributed port groups for disjoint layer 2..................................................................... 109
Adding VMware vSphere ESXi hosts to VMware VDS................................................................ 110
Backing up and restoring a VMware VDS data configuration............................................................. 111
Exporting a backup of a VMware dvSwitch configuration............................................................ 111
Importing a backup of a dvSwitch configuration...........................................................................112
Restoring a backup of the dvSwitch configuration....................................................................... 113
VMware VDS basic troubleshooting................................................................................................... 113
Managing the Cisco Nexus 1000V Series Switch.................................................................................115
Managing licenses..............................................................................................................................115
Adding hosts.......................................................................................................................................115
Creating a port profile......................................................................................................................... 115
Modifying the uplink port profiles........................................................................................................ 116
5 | Contents

Removing the uplink port profiles....................................................................................................... 118
Modifying vEthernet data port profiles................................................................................................ 118
Modifying the QoS settings ............................................................................................................... 120
Upgrading the VEM software............................................................................................................. 121
Troubleshooting the Cisco Nexus 1000V switch................................................................................ 121
Managing VMware NSX with VPLEX on VxBlock Systems.................................................................123
Performing a graceful failover............................................................................................................ 123
Performing a graceful recovery.......................................................................................................... 127
Managing AMP-2.....................................................................................................................................131
Upgrading the Cisco UCS C2x0 Server (CIMC 2.x firmware)............................................................ 131
Upgrading the Cisco UCS C2x0 Server (CIMC 3.x firmware)............................................................ 132
Upgrading VNXe3200 Software......................................................................................................... 133
Creating a new VMware datastore..................................................................................................... 133
Changing the VMware datastore capacity .........................................................................................134
Adding a VMware ESXi host for IPv4.................................................................................................135
Adding a VMware vSphere ESXi host for IPv6.................................................................................. 136
Adding datastore access to a VMware ESXi Host............................................................................. 136
Configuring VMware ESXi persistent scratch location ...................................................................... 137
Configuring RAID devices for AMP-2................................................................................................. 138
Disabling VAAI primitives for AMP-2.................................................................................................. 139
Backing up AMP-2..............................................................................................................................139
Creating an instance of the configuration repository....................................................................139
Creating a backup of a configuration repository.......................................................................... 140
Restoring a configuration file....................................................................................................... 141
Backing up targets in the Converged System..............................................................................141
Guidelines for backing up configuration files......................................................................................143
Backing up configuration files.............................................................................................................143
Backing up network devices running Cisco NX-OS software.............................................................143
Backing up Cisco UCS FIs................................................................................................................. 145
Creating and runnig the backup using the Cisco UCS Manager................................................. 146
By using the Cisco UCS CLI........................................................................................................147
Creating and running the backup using scheduled backups....................................................... 148
Configuring fault suppression...................................................................................................... 149
Backing up the VMware vCenter SQL server database.....................................................................149
Backing up Cisco MDS switches...........................................................................................................154
Creating backups of startup and running configuration files.............................................................. 154
Creating a script to purge older copies of the backup files.................................................................154
Scheduling the task to purge older backup files.................................................................................155
Configuring VMware Enhanced Linked Mode (vSphere 6.0).............................................................. 157
Introduction.........................................................................................................................................157
VMware vSphere 6.0 ELM use cases................................................................................................ 157
Backing up and restoring Converged Systems with ELM.................................................................. 158
Converged System AMP design........................................................................................................ 159
ELM scalability planning.....................................................................................................................160
Intra Converged System ELM scalability planning.......................................................................161
Contents | 6

Inter Converged System ELM scalability planning in a single physical data center.................... 162
Inter Converged System ELM scalability planning with multiple physical data centers............... 163
ELM deployment information..............................................................................................................163
ELM dependencies and limitations.....................................................................................................165
VMware ELM References.................................................................................................................. 166
Conclusions........................................................................................................................................166
Configuring VMware Enhanced Linked Mode (vSphere 6.5U1)..........................................................168
Introduction to ELM (vSphere 6.5U1).................................................................................................168
VMware ELM with VMware vSphere 6.5U1 use cases...................................................................... 168
Backup and restore Converged Systems with VMware ELM (vSphere 6.5)...................................... 169
Backing up the PSC using the backup option..............................................................................169
Restoring a failed PSC.................................................................................................................169
Backup and recovery capabilities................................................................................................ 170
Converged System AMP design (ELM/vSphere 6.5U1).....................................................................171
VMware ELM scalability planning (vSphere 6.5U1)........................................................................... 174
Intra Converged System VMware ELM scalability planning (vSphere 6.5U1)............................. 175
Inter Converged System VMware ELM scalability planning in Converged Systems in a single
physical data center (vSphere 6.5U1)..........................................................................................176
Inter Converged System ELM scalability planning with multiple physical data centers
(vSphere 6.5U1)...........................................................................................................................177
WMware ELM deployment information (vSphere 6.5U1)................................................................... 177
VMware ELM references (vSphere 6.5U1)........................................................................................ 179
VMware ELM conclusions (vSphere 6.5U1).......................................................................................179
7 | Contents

Introduction
This guide contains instructions for managing the Converged Systems after installation at the customer
site.
In this document, the Vblock System and the VxBlock System are referred to as the Converged System.
The target audience for this document includes those responsible for managing the Converged System,
including the system administrator and Dell EMC personnel responsible for remote management. The
document assumes that the administrator:
•Is familiar with VMware, Dell EMC storage technologies, and Cisco compute and networking
technologies
•Is familiar with Converged System concepts and terminology
•Has Converged System troubleshooting skills
Refer to the Glossary for definitions of terms specific to Dell EMC.
Introduction | 8

IPI Appliance
The IPI Appliance provides an intelligent gateway to gather information about power, thermals, security,
alerts, and all components in the physical infrastructure of each cabinet.
Vision Intelligent Operations uses SNMP to poll the status of the IPI Appliance and then passes the
results to VMware vCenter.
For cabinet-related operations such as adding users or cabinet access cards, refer to the VCE Intelligent
Physical Infrastructure Appliance User Manual.
Refer to the management release certification matrix (RCM) to identify the recommended firmware
version for your IPI Appliance. Contact Support with any questions.
Accessing the IPI Appliance
To access the IPI Appliance in a given cabinet, connect a laptop to the appropriate subnet and use a
browser to access the IPI Appliance.
The following default settings apply:
•IP address: 192.168.0.253
•Mask: 255.255.255.0
•Gateway: 192.168.0.1
9 | IPI Appliance

Managing compute resources
Starting Cisco UCS Manager 3.x
Cisco UCS Manager, Version 3.1.1 provides an HTML5 based web interface that can be used in place of
the traditional Java-based Cisco UCSM applet.
About this task
These instructions apply for Java-based interfaces on all current versions of the Cisco UCS Manager.
Settings, policies, and pools apply regardless of the interface used.
Before you begin
For more information on using the HTML5 web interface, refer to the Cisco UCS Manager GUI
Configuration Guide for versions 3.1.1 and higher.
Procedure
1From a web browser, open the web link for Cisco UCS Manager GUI at: http(s)://
UCSManager_IP.
2Type the virtual cluster IP address of the management port on the fabric interconnect.
3If a Security Alert dialog box appears, click Yes to accept the security certificate and continue.
4In the Cisco UCS Manager window, click Launch UCS Manager.
5For Cisco UCS Manager versions 3.1.1 and higher, click Launch UCS Manager to launch the
HTML page.
6If a banner window appears, review the message and click OK.
7If a Security dialog box appears, check the box to accept all content from Cisco, and click Yes.
8In the Login dialog box, type your username and password.
9If your Cisco UCS implementation includes multiple domains, select the appropriate domain from
the Domain drop-down list, then click Login.
What to do next
Directly upgrading firmware at endpoints
Directly upgrading firmware at endpoints
Some components in the Converged Systems may require a reboot after being updated. Upgrading Cisco
UCS software impacts the Cisco UCS Manager, fabric interconnects, I/O modules, chassis, chassis
blades, and mezzanine adapters.
Managing compute resources | 10

Before you begin
•Coordinate firmware upgrades during maintenance windows and refer to Cisco documentation for
proper upgrade procedures.
•Download the latest Cisco UCS B-Series GUI Firmware Management Guide.
•Run a full state and all configuration backup.
•For a cluster configuration, verify the high availability status of both fabric interconnect shows up
and running.
•Verify all servers, I/O modules, and adapters are fully functional. An inoperable server cannot be
upgraded.
•Verify all servers have been discovered. Servers do not need to be powered on or associated
with a service profile.
•Verify the time, date, and time zone of fabric interconnects are identical for a cluster using a
central time source such as NTP.
Best practices for managing firmware in the Cisco UCS Manager are documented by Cisco. Ensure that
the firmware versions are compatible with the Release Certification Matrix.
Procedure
1Perform the Cisco UCS upgrade as described in the Cisco UCS B-Series GUI Firmware
Management Guide for the release being installed.
2To verify the upgrade, from the Navigation window, select the Equipment tab and select the
Equipment node.
3From the Work window, select the Firmware Management tab.
4From the Installed Firmware tab, click Update Firmware. Cisco UCS Manager GUI opens the
Update Firmware dialog box and verifies the firmware versions for all endpoints in the Cisco UCS
domain. This step take a few minutes, based on the number of chassis and servers.
5From the Update Firmware dialog, perform the following:
aFrom the Filter drop-down menu, select ALL.
bSelect the endpoint firmware to update and click OK.
What to do next
Verify the following:
•All components are running the correct version of firmware.
•No new Cisco UCS faults were introduced because of the upgrade.
•All hosts have booted successfully.
11 | Managing compute resources

Related information
Cisco UCS Manager GUI Configuration Guide
Cisco UCS B-Series GUI Firmware Management Guide
Upgrading Cisco UCS software with Cisco UCS Firmware Auto Install
Upgrade Cisco UCS software using Cisco UCS Firmware Auto Install on Cisco UCS B-Series chassis and
blade servers.
About this task
The Cisco UCS Firmware Auto Install feature is performed in two stages that include upgrading the Cisco
UCS infrastructure and server firmware.
Upgrading the Cisco UCS infrastructure firmware includes:
•Fabric interconnect kernel and system
•I/O module
•Cisco UCS Manager
Upgrading the Cisco UCS server firmware includes:
•Adapter
•BIOS
•CIMC
•RAID controller
•Disk firmware
These stages can be manually run or scheduled to run at different times, but never simultaneously. Cisco
UCS infrastructure firmware upgrades must be updated first. Different versions of Cisco UCS
infrastructure firmware and Cisco UCS server firmware are not supported. Cisco UCS infrastructure
firmware upgrades do not support a partial upgrade to some infrastructure components in a Cisco UCS
domain. Cisco UCSM does not support managing firmware on fusion I/O or LSI flash cards.
The Cisco UCS firmware auto install feature has the following scheduling options:
Upgrade stage Scheduling options
Infrastructure firmware •Configure an immediate upgrade or specify a start time.
•If a start time is not specified, the upgrade begins when the transaction is committed.
•You can not cancel a Cisco UCS infrastructure firmware upgrade after it has begun
but can cancel upgrades scheduled to occur in the future.
•Cisco UCS infrastructure firmware upgrades require an acknowledgement for an
administrator user before the primary fabric interconnect is rebooted. The subordinate
fabric interconnect reboots automatically.
Managing compute resources | 12

Upgrade stage Scheduling options
Server firmware •The Dell EMC Host Firmware Policy must be used for Cisco UCS server firmware
upgrades and can be configured for an immediate or scheduled upgrade.
•The server reboot is based on the maintenance policy that has been configured for
each service profile. The default is for an immediate server reboot.
•Create and deploy a maintenance policy called VCE_UserAck with the user
acknowledgment option selected. This option requires an administrator level user
to acknowledge the reboot request for each server.
•You cannot cancel Cisco UCS server firmware upgrades after you complete the
configuration in the Cisco UCS Install Server Firmware wizard.
•A change in the firmware version is required every time you perform the Cisco UCS
firmware auto install.
•The Cisco UCS server firmware auto install feature can only be executed once per
firmware version.
•You cannot run the Cisco UCS server firmware auto install feature when new servers
are added. Update servers by creating and associating new service profiles with the
correct host firmware package.
The Cisco UCS Manager, fabric interconnects, I/O modules, chassis, chassis blades, and mezzanine
adapters are impacted by the upgrade of Cisco UCS software.
Before you begin
Reboot as needed when updating Converged System components. Coordinate firmware upgrades during
maintenance windows and refer to Cisco documentation for proper upgrade procedures.
•Download the latest Cisco UCS B-Series GUI Firmware Management Guide.
•Back up the configuration file into an all configuration backup file and perform a full state backup.
•The time, date, and time zone of the fabric interconnects must be identical for a cluster using a
centralized time source such as NTP.
•Verify the following:
—Both fabric interconnects are up and running for a cluster configuration.
—All servers, I/O modules, and adapters are fully functional. An inoperable server cannot be
upgraded.
—All servers are discovered. The servers do not need to be powered on or associated with a
service profile.
—The software version for the UCS firmware auto install feature is 2.1(1) or later.
—All endpoints are at Cisco UCS release 1.4 or later to run the Cisco UCS auto install.
—All endpoints are running the latest firmware release or patch for that release.
•For the Cisco UCS Server Firmware Auto Install Feature, perform the following prerequisites:
—Remove management firmware packages from all service profile templates and service
profiles.
13 | Managing compute resources

—Configure and deploy the VCE_UserAck maintenance policy in all new and existing
associated service profiles. Complete this before configuring host firmware policies to support
the Cisco UCS server firmware auto install feature.
•Create a new host firmware policy for the version of code being deployed. During creation of the
policy, do not set the package version or define specific firmware versions. The Cisco UCS
Server Firmware Auto Install wizard updates the embedded firmware package version of the
policy. Assign this new host firmware policy to the service profiles or service profile templates
associated with the blade in which you wish to update using Auto Install. If the service profile
does not set the host firmware policy for the blade, the host firmware policy is set to the default.
•Do not update the Cisco UCS default host firmware package with server firmware upgrades or
reference the package with the server Cisco UCS Auto Install wizard. This may result in
unexpected server reboots. If the default host firmware policy is used in the service profile and
the default host firmware policy is updated, the blade could reboot if the default maintenance
policy (immediate reboot) is configured. Updating the default host firmware package for a new
firmware version can trigger an update and immediate reboot of all unassociated servers.
Setting a firmware package version during the initial creation of the host firmware policy could trigger an
immediate upgrade of the blade. Depending on the maintenance policy for the service profile, an
unexpected server reboot could occur. Cisco has documented best practices for managing firmware in
the Cisco UCS Manager. Ensure that the firmware versions are compatible with the RCM.
To perform a Cisco UCS upgrade, refer to the Cisco UCS B-Series GUI Firmware Management Guide for
the specific release being installed.
Procedure
1To upgrade the Cisco UCS Infrastructure Firmware, perform the following:
aSelect the Equipment tab and then select the Firmware Management tab.
bFrom the Firmware Management tab, select the Firmware Auto Install tab.
cSelect Install Infrastructure Firmware Upgrade.
dOn the Prerequisites page, do not check any boxes.
Important: If no system backup was performed, critical and/or major faults exist, or the
Management Interfaces Monitoring Policy has not been configured or enabled, do
not continue with the upgrade. Do not bypass any of the checks.
Scheduled upgrades are the recommended methodology for Infrastructure
upgrades. The secondary fabric interconnect is upgraded automatically, but the
primary fabric interconnect is not upgraded without a user acknowledgement.
eClick Finish.
2To upgrade Cisco UCS Server Firmware, perform the following:
aSelect the Equipment tab on the left, and then select the Firmware Management tab on the
right.
bFrom the Firmware Management tab, select the Firmware Auto Install tab.
cSelect Install Server Firmware. Server upgrades occur after pending acknowledgements for
server reboots are acknowledged.
Managing compute resources | 14

dOn the Prerequisites page, do not check any boxes.
Important: If no system backup was performed, critical and/or major faults exist, or the
Management Interfaces Monitoring Policy has not been configured or enabled, do
not continue with the upgrade. Do not bypass any of the checks.
eOn the Select Package Versions page, select the firmware version for the Cisco B-Series
Blade software field and click Next.
fOn the Select Host Firmware Packages page, select the VCE-HostFirmware package you
created and click Next.
gOn the Host Firmware Package Dependencies page, click Next.
hOn the Impacted Endpoints Summary page, click Install.
iWhen appropriate, assign the new host firmware package to the blade servers that require
the code upgrade. This requires a server reboot.
What to do next
If required, follow the Cisco recommended procedures for firmware downgrades. If you downgrade a
Cisco UCS domain to a previous release, remove all unsupported features from the current release.
Related information
Cisco UCS Manager GUI Configuration Guide
Cisco UCS B-Series GUI Firmware Management Guide
Activating a Cisco UCS Manager Capability Catalog
The Cisco UCS Manager Capability Catalog is a set of tunable parameters, strings, and rules used by the
Cisco UCS Manager to update the display and configure components.
About this task
The catalog is divided by hardware components, such as the chassis, CPU, local disks, and the I/O
module. There is one provider per hardware component. Use the catalog to view the list of providers
available for that component. Each provider is identified by the vendor, model (PID), and revision. For
each provider, you can view details of the equipment manufacturer and the form factor.
Cisco UCS Manager Capability Catalog updates are included in each Cisco UCS Manager update.
Unless otherwise instructed by Cisco Technical Support, only activate the Capability Catalog update after
you have downloaded, updated, and activated a Cisco UCS infrastructure software bundle.
When you activate a Capability Catalog update, the Cisco UCS Manager immediately updates to the new
baseline catalog. You do not need to perform any further tasks or reboot any component in the Cisco
UCS instance or reinstall the Cisco UCS Manager when you perform an update.
Each Cisco UCS Manager release contains a baseline catalog. In rare cases, Cisco releases an update
to the Capability Catalog and makes it available on the same site where you download firmware images.
15 | Managing compute resources

Before you begin
Download, update, and activate a Cisco UCS infrastructure software bundle before activating a capability
catalog.
Procedure
Refer to the appropriate Cisco UCS B-Series GUI Firmware Management Guide for your release to
update the Cisco UCS Manager Capability Catalog.
Related information
Cisco UCS Manager GUI Configuration Guide
Cisco UCS B-Series GUI Firmware Management Guide
Activating a port license
Port licenses for each Cisco UCS fabric interconnect are factory installed and shipped with the hardware.
Activate a port license using the Cisco UCS Manager.
About this task
Expansion modules come with eight licenses that can be used on the expansion module or the base
module. The eight default licenses that come with the Cisco UCS 6248UP Fabric Interconnect expansion
module can be used to enable ports on the base module, but travel with the expansion module if it is
removed. If the expansion module is removed, any default expansion module licenses used by the base
module are removed from the ports on the base module. This results in unlicensed ports.
Port licenses are not bound to physical ports. When a licensed port is disabled, the license is retained for
use with the next enabled port. Install licenses to use additional fixed ports. If you use an unlicensed port,
the Cisco UCSM initiates a 120-day grace period measured from the first use of the unlicensed port and
is paused when a valid license file is installed. The amount of time used in the grace period is retained by
the system. Each physical port has its own grace period. Initiating the grace period on a single port does
not initiate the grace period for all ports.
If a licensed port is not configured, that license is transferred to a port functioning within a grace period. If
multiple ports are acting within grace periods, the license is moved to the port whose grace period is
closest to expiring.
To avoid inconsistencies during failover, fabric interconnects in the cluster should have the same number
of licensed ports. If symmetry is not maintained and failover occurs, Cisco UCS enables the missing
licenses and initiates the grace period for each port used on the failover node.
Converged Systems ship with the appropriate number of fabric interconnect licenses installed. If
additional licenses are needed, request a chassis activation kit.
Procedure
To view, obtain, download, install, and uninstall a fabric interconnect license, refer to the Cisco UCS
Manager GUI Configuration Guide for your release.
Managing compute resources | 16

Related information
Cisco UCS Manager GUI Configuration Guide
Adding a UUID range
Add a range to a UUID pool using the Cisco UCS Manager.
Before you begin
Verify the new UUID range does not exist on any pre-existing Cisco UCS compute environment.
Procedure
1Log on to the Cisco UCS Manager.
2In the Navigation window, select the Servers tab.
3On the Servers tab, expand Servers > Pools.
4Expand the node for the organization where you want to create the pool. If the system does not
include multi-tenancy, expand the root node.
5Right-click UUID Suffix Pools and select Create UUID Suffix Pool.
6In the Define Name and Description window of the Create UUID Suffix Pool wizard, perform
the following:
aIn the Name field, type the name of the UUID pool.
bIn the Description field, type a description of the pool.
cIn the Prefix field, either select Derived (the system creates the suffix) or Other (allows you
to specify the suffix).
7In the Add UUID Blocks window of the Create UUID Suffix Pool wizard, click Add.
8From the Create a Block of UUID Suffixes window:
aType the first UUID suffix in the pool and the number of UUID suffixes to include in the pool.
bClick OK.
9 Click Finish.
What to do next
Include the UUID suffix pool in a service profile and/or template.
Related information
Deleting a UUID pool (see page 18)
17 | Managing compute resources

Cisco UCS Manager GUI Configuration Guide
Deleting a UUID pool
Delete a UUID pool using the Cisco UCS Manager. If you delete a pool, the addresses are not reallocated
from the pool that have been assigned to vNICs or vHBAs.
About this task
All assigned addresses from a deleted pool remain with the vNIC or vHBA to which they are assigned
until:
•Associated service profiles are deleted.
•The vNIC or vHBA to which the address is assigned is deleted or assigned to a different pool.
Procedure
1Log on to the Cisco UCS Manager.
2In the Navigation window, select the Servers tab.
3On the Servers tab, expand Servers > Pools > Organization_Name.
4Expand the UUID Suffix Pools node.
5Right-click the pool and select Delete.
6If a confirmation dialog box appears, click Yes.
Related information
Adding a UUID range (see page 17)
Cisco UCS Manager GUI Configuration Guide
Adding a WWNN range
Add a range to the WWNN pool using the Cisco UCS Manager. A WWNN pool is a WWN pool that
contains only WW node names.
About this task
A WWN pool only includes WWNNs or WWPNs in the following ranges:
•20:00:00:00:00:00:00:00 to 20:FF:FF:FF:FF:FF:FF:FF
•50:00:00:00:00:00:00:00 to 5F:FF:FF:FF:FF:FF:FF:FF.
All other WWN ranges are reserved. To ensure the uniqueness of the Cisco UCS WWNNs and WWPNs
in the SAN fabric, use the WWN prefix 20:00:00:25:B5:XX:XX:XX for all blocks in a pool.
Managing compute resources | 18

Before you begin
Obtain the WWNN information.
Procedure
1Log on to the Cisco UCS Manager.
2In the Navigation window, select the SAN tab.
3In the SAN tab, expand SAN > Pools.
4Expand the node for the organization where you want to create the pool. If the system does not
include multi-tenancy, expand the root node.
5Right-click WWNN Pools and select Create WWNN Pool.
6From the WWNN Pool window, perform the following:
aIn the Define Name and Description window, type a unique name and description for the
WWNN pool.
bNext.
7In the Add WWN Blocks window, click Add.
8In the Create WWN Block window, perform the following:
aIn the From field, type the first WWNN in the pool.
bIn the Size field, type the number of WWNNs to include in the pool.
cClick OK.
9Click Finish.
What to do next
Include the WWNN pool in a vHBA template.
Related information
Deleting a WWNN range (see page 19)
Cisco UCS Manager GUI Configuration Guide
Deleting a WWNN range
Delete a range from the WWNN pool using the Cisco UCS Manager. If you delete a pool, the addresses
are not reallocated from the pool that have been assigned to vNICs or vHBAs.
19 | Managing compute resources

About this task
All assigned addresses from a deleted pool remain with the vNIC or vHBA to which they are assigned
until:
•Associated service profiles are deleted.
•The vNIC or vHBA to which the address is assigned is deleted or assigned to a different pool.
Procedure
1Log on to the Cisco UCS Manager.
2In the Navigation window, select the SAN tab.
3In the SAN tab, expand SAN > Pools > Organization_Name.
4Expand the WWNN Pools node.
5Right-click the WWNN pool you want to delete and select Delete.
6If a confirmation dialog box appears, click Yes.
Related information
Adding a WWNN range (see page 18)
Cisco UCS Manager GUI Configuration Guide
Adding a WWPN range
Add a range to the WWPN pool using the Cisco UCS Manager.
About this task
A WWN pool only includes WWNNs or WWPNs in the following ranges:
•20:00:00:00:00:00:00:00 to 20:FF:FF:FF:FF:FF:FF:FF
•50:00:00:00:00:00:00:00 to 5F:FF:FF:FF:FF:FF:FF:FF
All other WWN ranges are reserved. To ensure the uniqueness of the Cisco UCS WWNNs and WWPNs
in the SAN fabric use the following WWN prefix for all blocks in a pool: 20:00:00:25:B5:XX:XX:XX
Create separate WWPN pools for SAN Fabric A and SAN Fabric B.
Before you begin
Obtain the WWPN information.
Procedure
1Log on to the Cisco UCS Manager.
2In the Navigation window, select the SAN tab.
Managing compute resources | 20