Configure Integrated UCS C-Series Servers to Standalone Mode

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Updated:September 29, 2023

Document ID:221003

Bias-Free Language

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Introduction

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

Prerequisites

Requirements

Cisco recommends that you have knowledge of these topics:

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

Components Used

This document is not restricted to specific software version.

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: Do not perform this process without TAC recommendation.

Put Server in Standalone Mode

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: 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 power chords.

Wait for 2 minutes and connect the power chords 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: Default password for admin user is password

CIMC Prompt view and current CIMC version

CIMC-2

Reimage Firmware Version

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 https://software.cisco.com/download

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: 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: 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

Contributed by Cisco Engineers

Daniel Diaz Sanchez
Cisco TAC Engineer