Cisco Nexus Fabric Manager Quick Start Guide, Release 1.x

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Updated:June 19, 2017

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Cisco Nexus Fabric Manager Quick Start Guide

First Published: April 20, 2016

Last Updated: June 19, 2017


Cisco Nexus Fabric Manager Quick Start Guide

This chapter contains the following sections:

New and Changed Information

The following table summarizes the new and changed features for the Cisco Nexus Fabric Manager Quick Start Guide, Release 1.x. and tells you where they are documented.

Feature

Description

Changed in Release

Where Documented

—

AFP functionality of interface if0 has been consolidated into mgmt0

1.3(1)

Configuring the Cisco Nexus Fabric Manager Virtual Appliance

Modifying Cisco Nexus Fabric Manager Management and Auto Fabric Provisioning IP Address Configuration

-- Reversed correction of default password

1.1(2a), 1.1(2), 1.1(1)

Configuring Network Information for ESXi

--

Corrected default password.

1.1(2a), 1.1(2), 1.1(1)

Configuring Network Information for ESXi

--

Modified if0 note.

1.1(1)

Configuring the Cisco Nexus Fabric Manager Virtual Appliance

No New Features

Initial release

1.1(1)

--

Overview

The Cisco Nexus Fabric Manager is a system designed to highly simplify and optimize the full lifecycle management of a switch fabric based on the Cisco Nexus 9000 Series switches. The Cisco Nexus Fabric Manager provides point-and-click methods for performing fabric management tasks such as adding, removing, and configuring network components. The configurable network components include switchpools, switches, switch interfaces, foreign devices (such as hosts), virtual routing and forwarding topologies (VRFs), port channels and broadcast domains.

The Cisco Nexus Fabric Manager user interface leverages an intuitive Navigation menu to easily move between the main functions of the system. The main system functions include switchpools, profiles, faults, racks, VRFs, images, upgrades, and authentication.

The Cisco Nexus Fabric Manager also introduces Auto Fabric Provisioning (AFP), which enables the Cisco Nexus Fabric Manager to manage switches that have not yet received any configuration. Through AFP, you can specify the initial switch configuration using the desired management IP address, username, password, and Cisco NX-OS software release. Your initial configuration is automatically applied to the device before being imported into the switchpool.

For configuration information, see the Cisco Nexus Fabric Manager Configuration Guide, Release 1.1(1) .

Prerequisites

The items concerning the networking environment are as follows. You will need to provide a minimum of three IP addresses (four with Auto Fabric Provisioning):

  • IP address or DNS name, netmask, gateway for the ESXi management interface.

  • IP address, netmask, and gateway for the CIMC.

  • IP address, netmask, and gateway for the Cisco Nexus Fabric Manager management interface.

  • Gateway address appropriate to the IP address and netmask.

  • (Optional) IP address, netmask, and gateway for Auto Fabric Provisioning interface.

  • (Optional) IP addresses of up to two DNS servers for the virtual appliance to use.

  • Any proxy values necessary for the virtual appliance to access the Internet.

Cisco Integrated Management Controller (CIMC)

Be ready with the following information when configuring the Cisco Integrated Management Controller:

  • IP address for the CIMC port on the Cisco Nexus Fabric Manager.


    Note

    This IP address must be unique for this appliance.

  • Netmask (subnetmask) for the CIMC port address.

  • Gateway for the CIMC port address.

Network information for ESXi

Be ready with the following information when configuring network information for ESXi:

  • IP address for the ESXi management interface on the Cisco Nexus Fabric Manager.


    Note

    This IP address must be unique for this appliance.

  • Netmask for the IP address of the ESXi management interface.

  • Gateway address for the ESXi management interface on the Cisco Nexus Fabric Manager.

  • VLAN (if any) for the ESXi management interface on the Cisco Nexus Fabric Manager.

Cisco Nexus Fabric Manager Virtual Appliance

Be ready with the following information before you configure the initial setup of the virtual appliance. These items are unique to the installation of this particular virtual appliance.

  • A root password for the operating system on the virtual appliance. You will be prompted to enter and configure the root password during your first boot.

  • A REST API password for Cisco Nexus Fabric Manager and UI access.

  • IP address for the Cisco Nexus Fabric Manager virtual appliance.

  • DNS name (hostname) for the virtual appliance. It should be placed into DNS using the IP address you selected for the virtual appliance.

Cable Connection

Network Cable Connections for Cisco Nexus Fabric Manager

Figure 1. Rear Chassis View



1

Cisco Nexus Fabric Manager & VMware ESXi management port connection.

2

Cisco Auto Fabric Provisioning port connection. See the Cisco Nexus Fabric Manager Configuration Guide for how to configure Auto Fabric Provisioning.

3

Cisco Integrated Management Controller (CIMC) port connection.

Configuring Cisco Nexus Fabric Manager

Procedure
Configure the UCS CIMC Network Connection. To configure this you can see the document available online at C220 Installation Guide.

You have to select Dedicated and configure NIC Redundancy as None in the Connecting and Powering On (Standalone Mode) procedure.

The CIMC gives you insight into the hardware as well as support for a virtual KVM console allowing remote management of the ESXi layer. For details on CIMC, see the Cisco UCS C-Series Servers Integrated Management Controller GUI Configuration Guide.


Configuring Network Information for ESXi

After configuring the network information for the UCS CIMC console, use the virtual KVM console that the CIMC console provides to configure the network information for the ESXi hypervisor.

Procedure
    Step 1   Use a browser to connect to the IP address of the CIMC console.
    Step 2   Log into the CIMC console.
    Note   

    The default username is admin and default password is password, but you should change the password at your earliest convenience.

    Step 3   On the Server Summary page, in the Actions pane, click Launch KVM Console.

    You will be asked to approve the running of the application, as this operation downloads code to run on your system. After some delay, the KVM Console window is displayed.

    Note   

    If login fails, it might be either that someone else already has a virtual KVM console already active for this UCS C220 server or that your browser is not configured to run Java Web Start.

    The initial screen on the KVM console displays VMware ESXi 6.0.
    Step 4   Press F2 to customize the system.
    Note   

    The virtual KVM console needs to capture the mouse to accept input. It may be necessary on some systems to use the mouse to select the Single Cursor option from the Tools menu of the KVM Console window. If nothing happens when you press F2, select the Session Options from the Tools menu and click OK. Usually this causes the mouse to be captured, and then the functions keys will make it through to the console. If you want the mouse back, you can press F12.

    Step 5   Press F2 again to view the login window.
    Step 6   Log into the host.

    The default username is root and the password is password.

    Select the Configure Password option and reconfigure the root password after you log in.

    Step 7   Using the arrow keys, select the Configure Management Network option and press Enter.

    Configuring the IP Address of the VMware ESXi

    Procedure
      Step 1   Use the arrow keys to select IP Configuration and press Enter.
      Step 2   Use the arrow keys to select Set Static IP address and Network Configuration.
      Step 3   Use the space bar to enable this selection.
      Step 4   Use the arrow keys to select IP Address and enter the IP address.
      Step 5   Use the arrow keys to select Subnet Mask and enter the subnet mask.
      Step 6   Use the arrow keys to select Default Gateway and enter the gateway address.
      Step 7   Press Enter to accept the IP Configuration updates.

      Configuring DNS Servers for the VMware ESXi

      Procedure
        Step 1   Use the Arrow keys to select DNS Configuration and press Enter.
        Step 2   Use the Arrow keys to select Primary DNS Server and enter the IP address of the primary DNS server.

        Step 3   Use the Arrow keys to select Alternate DNS Server and enter the IP address of the alternate DNS server.
        Step 4   Use the Arrow keys to select Hostname and enter the hostname.
        Note   

        Ensure that you enter the entire hostname, including the domain name.

        Step 5   Press Enter to accept the DNS Configuration updates.
        Step 6   (Optional)If you have a VLAN configured on the switch to which the ESXi is connected, use the arrow keys to select VLAN and press Enter.
        Step 7   (Optional)Enter the VLAN for this network connection and press Enter to accept the change.
        Step 8   Press Esc to exit the Configure Management Network window which you are in now.
        Step 9   Use the Arrow keys to select Test Management Network and press Enter.

        You can see the addresses to be pinged and the hostname to be resolved. Use the arrow keys and select the address to be pinged and press Enter. The test pings your default gateway and DNS servers and tests the connectivity. Press Enter when the test is complete.

        At this point, ESXi listens on the IP address that you configured.

        Step 10   Use a browser to connect to the IP address configured for ESXi. A window displaying VMware ESXi 6.0 Welcome appears.
        Step 11   If you already have downloaded VMware vSphere and have it available, go to Configuring the Cisco Nexus Fabric Manager Virtual Appliance.
        Step 12   Download the VMware vSphere client for Windows onto your system.

        Configuring the Cisco Nexus Fabric Manager Virtual Appliance

        The Cisco Nexus Fabric Manager Virtual Appliance is delivered as a virtual machine installed on the ESXi hypervisor. The virtual machine name as shipped from Cisco is “Cisco Nexus Fabric Manager”.

        To manage the virtual machine containing Cisco Nexus Fabric Manager, use the VMware vSphere Client.

        Procedure
          Step 1   Log in to VMware ESXi 6.0 by using the VMware vSphere Client.
          Step 2   Right-click Cisco Nexus Fabric Manager in the left pane.
          Step 3   From the menu, choose Open Console.
          Step 4   Click in the Console window, enter a new root password and enter it a second time to confirm.
          Step 5   Enter the REST API password and enter it a second time to confirm.
          Note   

          The previous two steps only occur the first time Cisco Nexus Fabric Manager powers up.

          The Network Manager TUI window opens.
          Step 6   To configure the management IP address, choose the Edit a connection option and press Enter. The Ethernet window opens.
          Step 7   Select MGMT0.
          Step 8   Tab over to the Edit field and press Enter. The Edit Connection window opens.
          Step 9   Tab over to the IPv4 CONFIGURATION Disabled field and press Enter. The menu expands.
          Step 10   Use the Arrow keys to move to Manual and press Enter.
          Step 11   Tab over to the Show field and press Enter. The IPv4 CONFIGURATION section expands.
          Step 12   Tab over to the Addresses Add field and press Enter.
          Step 13   In the Addresses field, enter the IP address.

          The IP address must be in the format IP address/netmask. For example,192.168.x.x/25.

          Step 14   Tab over to the Gateway and enter the IP address.

          For example, 192.168.x.x.

          Step 15   (Optional)Tab over to either the DNS servers field or the Search domains field and enter the IP address for the DNS server or search domain configurations.
          Step 16   Tab over to OK field and press Enter.
          Step 17   (Optional)Configure if0 for Auto Fabric Provisioning.
          Note   

          Configuration of if0 is necessary only if you are using Cisco Nexus Fabric Manager Release 1.2(3) or earlier and you are using Auto Fabric Provisioning (AFP). In which case, if0 must be in the same subnet as the mgmt0 interface.

          Beginning with Cisco Nexus Fabric Manager Release 1.3(1), the AFP functionality is executed via mgmt0.

          Step 18   (Optional)Select if0.
          Step 19   (Optional)Repeat Steps 8 to 15 for if0 IP address configurations.
          Step 20   Tab over to the Quit field and press Enter. The services restart after the network configuration change.
          Step 21   Once you see the login prompt, close the console and vSphere client. You are done with the initial network setup.

          Logging into the Cisco Nexus Fabric Manager

          Procedure
            Step 1   Open a browser (Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox)
            Step 2   Enter the IP address of the Cisco Nexus Fabric Manager.
            Step 3   Enter admin in the Username field.
            Step 4   Enter the REST API password in the Password field.

            Modifying Cisco Nexus Fabric Manager Management and Auto Fabric Provisioning IP Address Configuration


            Note

            Beginning with Cisco Nexus Fabric Manager Release 1.3(1), the Auto Fabric Provisioning (AFP) functionality of interface if0 has been consolidated into mgmt0. Configuration of if0 is necessary only if you are using Cisco Nexus Fabric Manager Release 1.2(3) or earlier and are using AFP.

            Procedure
              Step 1   Log in to VMware ESXi 6.0 by using the VMware vSphere Client.
              Step 2   Right-click Cisco Nexus Fabric Manager in the left pane.
              Step 3   From the menu, choose Open Console.
              Step 4   Click in the Console window and log in as root.
              Step 5   Enter the root password.
              Step 6   Enter the following commands: 
              # service esm stop
# nmtui
              Step 7   Select the Edit a connection option.
              Step 8   Select the interface (Mgmt0 for management IP address, if0 for the Auto Fabric Provisioning IP address.)
              Step 9   Tab over to the Edit field and press Enter. The Edit Connection window opens.
              Step 10   Tab over to the Addresses field and modify the IP address.

              The IP address must be in the format IP address/netmask. For example. 192.168.x.x/25.

              Step 11   Tab over to OK field and press Enter.
              Step 12   Tab over to the Quit field and press Enter.
              Step 13   Enter the following command to update the management IP address change: # nmcli con down mgmt0 ; nmcli con up mgmt0
              Step 14   Enter the following command to update the Auto Fabric Provisioning IP address change: 
              # nmcli con down if0 ; nmcli con up if0

              Step 15   To restart the service, enter the following command: 
              # service esm start
              Step 16   After the service starts, enter the following command: 
              # exit
              Step 17   Close the console and VMware vSphere client.

              Cisco Nexus Fabric Manager Related Documentation


              Note

              We sometimes update the documentation after original publication. Therefore, you should also review the documentation on Cisco.com for any updates.

              The following is a list of documentation that you can refer to:

              Hardware Documents

              Go to the following page to see the documentation for UCS server hardware: http:/​/​www.cisco.com/​c/​en/​us/​products/​servers-unified-computing/​ucs-c-series-rack-servers/​index.html

              .

              Platform Specific Documents

              The following is a list of sites with platform-specific documentation:

              • For VMware ESXi specific documentation, go the VMware website.

              Software Documents

              The following document gives the list of documents available for Cisco Nexus Fabric Manager: http:/​/​www.cisco.com/​c/​en/​us/​support/​cloud-systems-management/​nexus-fabric-manager/​tsd-products-support-series-home.html

              Copyright © 2016-2017, Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.

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