Task: Install switches and cabling.

• Rack 2 switches & plug into power
• Update Rack Tables in wiki
• Make Cat 6 cables and plug in according to Switches and port assignment table

Task: For each incoming server, do:

• Remove server from box and pull lid for physical inspection
• Install rails
• Rack server
• Label hostname and NICs
• Update Rack Tables in wiki with location of server
• Plug in power, display, keyboard
• Step through BIOS
• Connect to network port if available
• Install OS (pxe boot?)
• Configure OS
• Add monit settings
• Format storage drives
• (Side project: On one storage server only) Setup and begin temp archival storage copy

Task: Move new racks into their permanent location in server room

• Contact Isaac regarding drilling holes in floor to secure new racks
• Assemble racks, remove sides and store
• Position racks in server room, raise wheels

Task: Research, implement, and test network switches.

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This Cluster Deployment Checklist has been developed to facilitate in location preparation and installation.

Requirements Gathering

• Does the hardware meet the need of the application(s) it will be hosting?
• What are the communication expectations of the stakeholders throughout the deployment?
• Is there a timeline dictating the completion of the cluster installation and availability?

Server Room Power

• Identify output from UPS, 208v or 120v? Amperage per circuit?
• Calculate new load and estimate for UPS capacity in the event of building power failure
• Identify remaining life span of UPS and batteries
• Gather wattage consumption of servers and switches to calculate load capacity per pdu
• Match server and PDU cable ends with outlet receptacles
• Estimate power cable lengths needed
• If remote power control is desired, plan for smart PDU configuration

Server Room Cooling and Humidity

• Gather BTU/hour output of all servers to calculate total room worst case scenario
• Gather existing cooling capacity
• Identify cooling design of room to dictate arrangement of servers in racks. If ambient air cooled, leave air gaps in between servers.
• Deploy temperature and humidity monitors

Networking

• Identify need for dual switch PSUs
• Identify need for bandwidth capacity & cable/receiver form factors (e.g. RJ45 or SFP+)
• Identify quantity of switch ports needed to host all cluster server NICs
• Identify vlans, IP addresses, and hostnames for all cluster components (e.g. servers, switches, smart PDUs)
• Estimate network cable lengths needed
• Gather cable making equipment and supplies if needed

Delivery Logistics

• Is there a loading dock available?
• Are there personnel available to help move boxes?
• Is there a dolly or cart available for moving boxes?
• Is there an elevator available with the weight capacity to handle pallets of computer hardware?
• Is the route to/from the elevator clear and able to navigate with a large pallet on a pallet jack?

Waste Disposal

• Is there a location identified to store the boxes and packing foam prior to disposal?
• Are recycling facilities available to receive cardboard and plastics? Hours of availability?

Personnel Safety

• Obtain comfortable ear protection
• Obtain respiratory masks if necessary during 100 year pandemic
• Dress in comfortable layers which won't snag on equipment
• Plans for breaks to stretch, eat, and exercise

Miscellaneous Tools and Supplies

• Obtain velcro strips for cable management
• Obtain label maker with laminated label tape
• Have on hand a box cutter, screwdrivers, camera
• Property tags if required by organization
• Printed invoice to track property tags and serial numbers as servers are racked

Task: Confirm condition of arrival. If undamaged, sign invoice and turn in.

• Notify office staff of incoming bohemoth boxes, identify spaces to squirrel away boxes until I have time to open them
• PDUs (6 + 6 cables)
• Network Switches
• Storage Servers (12)
• Compute Servers (9)
• Racks (2 + floor bolt kits)

Task: Setup and test power from whips to PDUs to server.

• Rack PDUs
• Distribute dual PSU cables across PDUs
• Label PDUs with power whip supplying power
• Power on individual storage server and observe max Watts consumed
• Power on individual compute server and observer max Watts consumed
• Calculate total max Watts plugged into each PDU (208v * 20Amp = 4160 Watts)
• Test and note change in load by pulling power supply on a storage server psu
• Test and note change in load by pulling power supply on a computer server psu

Task: Plan and document network configuration details.

• Identify 21 new hostnames
• Identify internal subnet for storage servers
• Count available NICs for compute servers
• Count available NICs for storage servers
• Assign IPs to storage servers (internal only)
• Assign external IPs to compute servers
• Assign internal IPs to compute servers
• Request DNS entries for external IPs and compute servers
• Generate table for 2 switches and port assignments

Task: Prepare the server room for the installation of incoming equipment.

• Arrange electrician work for conversion of 12 x 120v circuits to 208v
• Clear out piles on East end of room (surplus or move elsewhere)
• Inquire about retiring 2 remaining servers in rack 6 (Jan 15)
• Vacuum server room
• Sort and Surplus extra power cables