[ubuntu] Preparing a Proliant 1600 for Ubuntu installation

[Aethylred]

Ubuntu on a Compaq Proliant 1600

Introduction
The Compaq Proliant 1600 was a top-of-the-line server circa 1999, and though it’s quite obsolete by today standards, it still suite some infrastructure roles due to its reliability and robust nature. Occasionally fully kitted out units can be found at bargain prices. At max specs a Compac Proliant 1600 will have 2 x 600Mhz Intel Pentium 3 processors, 1GB ECC RAM, and 5 x 18.6GB wide SCSI drives. This document will cover configuring this specification (because I have one).

Preparation
Power up your Proliant and check that you have everything you need (e.g. PS2 keyboards!), check that it runs and everything seems ok. In particular check that the SCSI cables are not crimped or pinched by the case. Then perform a complete system erase and reconfigure it for running Linux.

Obtain Compaq SmartStart and Firmware CDs

1. Download Compaq SmartStart for the Proliant 1600 from the HP support site. SmartStart 5.50 was the last version to support the Proliant 1600.
2. Download the Firmware Maintenance 7.30 CD for the Proliant 1600 support site
3. Burn the ISOs to CD

Perform a full System Erase
NOTE: This will erase all data from the server!
NOTE: The server can take some time to boot up again after a System Erase, give it at least 10 minutes before trying to solve the issue. It is also normal for the Server to reboot itself a few times during configuration.
NOTE: After a full system erase it is normal to see some error messages on boot up, for example:

• 172-System Configuration Nonvolatile Memory Invalid
• 172-1 Configuration Nonvolatile Memory Invalid
• 162-System Options Not Set
• 1785-Slot 4 Drive Array Not Configured

1. Insert the SmarStart CD into the Proliant and reboot
2. When the SmartStart utilities load, select System Erase, this may take some time, up to 8 minutes per drive. Wait for it to complete.
3. Eject the CD and power down the Proliant for at least 30 seconds before continuing

Reconfigure the Server for Linux[*]Insert the SmartStart CD into the Proliant and boot it up. You may need to press F1 to continue after boot-up errors caused by a system erase

1. Once the SmartStart utilities have loaded select an appropriate language
2. Set the date and time when prompted
3. Click on Continue in the System Configuration Summary
4. Click on the I Agree check box and then Continue to accept the licensing agreement
5. Select Manual Configuration and then click on the Begin to start manual system configuration
6. In the Operating System Selector select Linux (you may need to select a specific kernel version) and then click on Next
7. The configuration utility will begin to set up the Proliant for running Linux, accept the default settings for any further prompts until the server reboots and loads the Array Configuration Utility loads

Configure the Array Controller

1. Boot the Proliant up with the SmartStart CD and select the Array Configuration Utility (if it has not already booted up to this utility)
2. Your operating system should already be selected
3. Configure your RAID settings (RAID 5, with 1 online spare is recommended for most applications) and click on Next
4. Click on Save Configuration Now to confirm these settings
5. Click on Controller  Exit to exit the utility
6. The server will now go through a few reboot cycles configuring the RAID controller, which may take some time.
7. The server should now be ready to install Ubuntu

Kernel boot options
In order to get the latest versions of Ubuntu to boot the following options will have to either be added at boot up, or permanently added to /boot/grub/menu.lst

noapic nolapic acpi=off

Follow ups

• Check to see if using F10 to enter Advanced Server configuration can be used to resolve ACPI/APIC issues
• Updating the server’s firmware with the Firmware Maintenance CD

References
http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport...odTypeId=15351
http://www.cpqlinux.com/
http://www.cpqlinux.com/linux.html
http://www.cpqlinux.com/steps.html