Configure Integrated UCS C-Series Servers to Standalone Mode

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Updated:September 29, 2023
Document ID:221003

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    Introduction

    This document describes how to configure a UCS-C Series server integrated into UCS Manager to standalone mode and reimage its firmware version.

    Prerequisites

    Requirements

    Cisco recommends that you have knowledge of these topics:

    • Basic understanding of Unified Computing Systems servers(UCS)
    • Basic understanding of UCS Manager (UCSM)
    • Basic understanding of Cisco Integrated Management Controller (CIMC)
    • Basic understanding of Networking.

    Components Used

    This document is not restricted to specific software versions.

    The information in this document was created from the devices in a specific lab environment. All of the devices used in this document started with a cleared (default) configuration. If your network is live, ensure that you understand the potential impact of any command.

    Background Information

    Ensure that you have these requirements before you attempt this configuration.

    • Computer to connect to C-Series Server.
    • KVM cable
    • Monitor
    • Keyboard
    • 1G cable to connect to the management port

    Configure

    note-icon

    Note: Do not perform this process without TAC recommendation.

    Put Server in Standalone Mode

    warning-icon

    Warning: Ensure your server is powered off before you start this procedure.

    Step 1. Decommission the Server

    Go to your UCS Manager web Interface.

    Navigate to Equipment > Rack-Mounts > Server x

    Decommission-1

    Click on Server Maintenance and select Decommission

    Decommission-2

    note-icon

    Note: When a server is decommissioned it is not shown over Rack-Mounts, it is shown under Equipment > Decommisioned > Rack-Mounts

    Step 2. Unconfigure Server Ports

    Navigate to Equipment > Fabric Interconnects > Fabric Interconnect A > Fixed Module > Ethernet Ports > Port x.

    Click on Unconfigure.

    Unconfigure Port-1

    Unconfigure Port-2

    Repeat the same steps for Fabric Interconnect B

    Navigate to Equipment > Fabric Interconnects > Fabric Interconnect B > Fixed Module > Ethernet Ports > Port x.

    Click on Unconfigure.

    Step 3. Change CIMC to Default Settings

    Power off the server and remove the power cords.

    Wait for 2 minutes and connect the power cords again.

    Connect a KVM cable to the server with a monitor and keyboard.

    Monitor the server boot process until you reach the Cisco menu and press F8  to enter to Cisco IMC Configuration Utility.

    Boot Process-1

    CIMC Utility-1

    Press F1 and enable Factory Default.

    CIMC Utility-2

    Press F10 to save changes and reboot the server.

    Step 4. Configure CIMC to Standalone Mode

    Monitor the server boot process until you reach the Cisco menu and press F8  to enter to Cisco IMC Configuration Utility again.

    Apply the next configuration:

    • NIC mode selected to Dedicated
    • IP to IPV4
    • CIMC IP with an IP in the same subnet as your computer.
    • NIC redundancy to none
    • No VLAN

    CIMC Utility-3

    Press F10 to save changes and reboot the server.

    Connect your computer to the physical Management Port on the server and open a web browser.

    Use the IP you configured https://x.x.x.x  

    CIMC-1

    note-icon

    Note: Default password for admin user is password

    CIMC Prompt view and current CIMC version

    CIMC-2

    Reimage Firmware Version

    note-icon

    Note: In case your Server is integrated back into UCSM, it is highly recommended to reimage the firmware version

    Step 1. Download Host Upgrade Utility(HUU) ISO.

    Reimage is done through HUU. You can download HUU ISO at Download Page for Cisco

    Step 2. Launch KVM and Map HUU ISO.

    Once you download HUU for the current version, go to CIMC  and click on Launch KVM

    CIMC-3

    Once vKVM is launched, click on Virtual Media and Activate Virtual Devices

    Map ISO-1

    Map HUU on Map CD/DVD

    Map ISO-2

    Step 3. Boot Using HUU ISO.

    Monitor the server boot process until you reach the Cisco menu and press F6  to enter to Boot Menu.

    Boot Menu-1

    Select vKVM-Mapped vDVD option to boot HUU ISO mapped.

    Boot Menu-2

    note-icon

    Note: Load HUU ISO can take several minutes.

    Step 4.- Reimage Current Version.

    Wait until HUU ISO loads and accepts the Cisco Software License Agreement.

    firmware reimage-1

    Switch to Advanced Mode and select all the components, then click Update & Activate.

    firmware reimage-2

    Wait until it finishes the reimage and the server reboots.

    Integrate Server to UCS Manager

    Step 1. Set CIMC to Factory Default.

    Repeat the same steps as in Step 3 on Put Server in Standalone Mode

    Step 2.- Reconfigured Ports as Server Ports

    Navigate to Equipment > Fabric Interconnects > Fabric Interconnect A > Fixed Module > Ethernet Ports > Port x.

    Click Reconfigure and select Configured as Server Port.

    Configure Port

    Repeat the same steps for Fabric Interconnect B

    Navigate to Equipment > Fabric Interconnects > Fabric Interconnect B > Fixed Module > Ethernet Ports > Port x.

    Click Reconfigure and select Configured as Server Port.

    Step 3.  Connect Adapter Cables

    Connect port 1 to FI-A and port 3 to FI-B of the VIC Card.

    Step 4. Recommission Server.

    Go to Equipment > Decommsioned > Rack-Mounts, select the checkbox for Recommission, and Save Changes.  

    Recommission

    Wait until you see your server again.

    Discovery Process-1

    You can monitor server discovery over Server FSM. 

    Discovery Process-2

    note-icon

    Note: Discovery can take several minutes to start

    Once the server finishes the discovery process, the association of the Service Profile (SP) starts.

    service profile association

    After discovery and association finish, you can boot your server and get it back to production.

    Related Information

    Revision History

    Revision Publish Date Comments
    1.0
    29-Sep-2023
    Initial Release
    TAC Authored

    Contributed by Cisco Engineers

    • Daniel Diaz Sanchez
      Cisco TAC Engineer

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