cisco ucs vcenter plugin 0.9.4 userguide

Cisco UCS vCenter Plugin User Guide, Release 0.9.4First Published: February 19, 2014

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C O N T E N T S

C H A P T E R 1 Overview 1

About the Cisco UCS vCenter Plugin 1

System Requirements 1

C H A P T E R 2 Installing the Plugin and Registering UCS Domains 3

Installing the vCenter Plugin 3

Registering UCS Domains 4

C H A P T E R 3 Viewing Information Using the Plugin 7

Viewing the UCS Domain Details 7

Viewing the Chassis Details 8

Viewing the Fabric Interconnect Details 9

Viewing the Non ESX Server Details 10

Viewing the ESX Server Details 11

Viewing the Fabric Extender Details 12

C H A P T E R 4 Performing Actions Using the Plugin 15

Performing Actions Using the Plugin 15

ESX and Non ESX Server Actions 16

Creating Service Profiles for ESX or Non-ESX Servers 16

Managing BIOS Policies 17

Associating Service Profiles with the Servers 17

Managing Host Firmware Pack 18

Disassociating a Service Profile from a ESX or Non ESX Server 18

Service Profile Templates Actions 19


Managing Server Pools 20

Service Profile Actions 20

Cisco UCS vCenter Plugin User Guide, Release 0.9.4 iii


UCS Domain Actions 21

Reloading UCS Domain Inventory 21

Cisco UCS vCenter Plugin User Guide, Release 0.9.4iv

Contents

C H A P T E R 1Overview

This chapter includes the following sections:

• About the Cisco UCS vCenter Plugin, page 1

• System Requirements, page 1

About the Cisco UCS vCenter PluginCisco UCS vCenter plugin is a VMware vSphere web client plugin, which enables virtualization administratorto view, manage and monitor the Cisco UCS physical infrastructure. The plugin provides a physical view ofthe UCS hardware inventory on the web client. You can perform the following tasks using the plugin:

• Viewing Cisco UCS physical hierarchy.

• Viewing inventory, installed firmware, faults, power and temperature statistics for each server or ESXhost.

• Mapping the ESX host to the physical server.

• Launching the Cisco UCS Manager GUI.

• Launching the KVM consoles of UCS servers.

• Switching the existing state of the locator LEDs.

• Performing key Cisco UCS Manager actions.

System RequirementsBefore installing Cisco UCS vCenter plugin, ensure the system meets or exceeds the following minimumsoftware requirements:

• VMware PowerCLI 5.1 or higher to run the registration tool.

• VMware vCenter 5.1 or higher.

Cisco UCS vCenter Plugin User Guide, Release 0.9.4 1

• VMware vSphere web client 5.x and its pre-requisites. For information on VMware vSphere web clientpre-requisites refer, http://kb.vmware.com/selfservice/microsites/search.do?language=en_US&cmd=displayKC&externalId=2005083

Cisco UCS vCenter Plugin User Guide, Release 0.9.42

OverviewSystem Requirements

http://kb.vmware.com/selfservice/microsites/search.do?language=en_US&cmd=displayKC&externalId=2005083


C H A P T E R 2Installing the Plugin and Registering UCSDomains


• Installing the vCenter Plugin, page 3

• Registering UCS Domains, page 4

Installing the vCenter PluginPerform the following steps to unregister the previous version and install and register the current version ofthe vCenter plugin:

If you do not have the any previous versions of the plugin installed, ignore steps 3-5.Note

Before You Begin

• Install VMware PowerCLI 5.1 or higher to run the registration tool.

• Install VMware vCenter 5.1 or higher.

• Install VMware vSphere web client 5.x and its pre-requisites. For information on VMware vSphere webclient pre-requisites refer, http://kb.vmware.com/selfservice/microsites/search.do?language=en_US&cmd=displayKC&externalId=2005083

Procedure

Step 1 Download the plugin and registration tool zip files available at: https://communities.cisco.com/docs/DOC-37175.

Step 2 Unzip the registration tool and double-click to launch it.




https://communities.cisco.com/docs/DOC-37175

Cisco UCS Plugin Registration Tool screen appears.Step 3 To remove the previous version of the plugin, Select Unregister Plugin.Step 4 Enter the following:

• IP/Hostname - IP or hostname of the vCenter.

• Username - vCenter user name.

• Password - vCenter password.

Step 5 Click Submit.The previous version of the plugin is now unregistered.

Step 6 To register the new plugin, perform the following:

• IP/Hostname - IP or hostname of the vCenter.

• Username - vCenter user name.

• Password - vCenter password.

• Plugin location:

◦If Cisco Communities is reachable from the machine on which the vSphereWeb Client is installed,select Cisco Communities

◦If you have hosted the plugin zip file on your own HTTP or HTTPS server, select Enter PluginURL. Enter the HTTPS/HTTP URL of the plugin zip file. For example,https://10.1x.1x.1/plugins/ucs/ucs-vcplugin-0.9.2.zip

Step 7 Click Submit.The vCenter plugin is successfully registered.

Registering UCS DomainsUsing the vSphere web client, you can register UCS domains. You also can edit the details, unregister andre-register the previously registered UCS domains.

The following procedure explains how to register UCS domains:

Procedure

Step 1 Launch the vSphere web client.Step 2 Under the Home tab, double-click Cisco UCS.

Cisco UCS Management Center view appears.Step 3 Click Register.

Register UCS Domain pop-up appears.Step 4 Enter the following:

• UCS Hostname/IP - IP address or the host name of the UCS domain.


Installing the Plugin and Registering UCS DomainsRegistering UCS Domains

• Username - UCS domain username.

• Password - UCS domain password.

• Port - Port number.

• SSL - To use a secure connection to Cisco UCS Manager

Step 5 Click OK.UCS domain is registered and appears on the list of Registered UCS Domains.Cisco UCS Management Center also provides the following options:

DescriptionButton

Allows you to unregister a UCS domain.Unregister

Allows you to edit a UCS domain.Edit

Allows you to re-register a UCS domain.Re-register



C H A P T E R 3Viewing Information Using the Plugin


• Viewing the UCS Domain Details, page 7

• Viewing the Chassis Details, page 8

• Viewing the Fabric Interconnect Details, page 9

• Viewing the Non ESX Server Details, page 10

• Viewing the ESX Server Details, page 11

• Viewing the Fabric Extender Details, page 12

Viewing the UCS Domain DetailsThis section describes step to view the details of the registered Cisco UCS domains using the UCS vCenterplugin.

Procedure

Step 1 Launch the vSphere Web Client.Step 2 Click vCenter.Step 3 Under Cisco UCS Domains, click UCS Domains.

A list of all the registered UCS domains appear.Step 4 Select the domain for which you want view the details.

On the right pane of the window, you can view the following UCS Domain information:DescriptionName

Displays high level UCS domain information.Summary tab


DescriptionName

The manage tab displays the following information:

• Service profiles, service profile templates, serverpools and host firmware packages and relatedinformation on their respective tabs.

• Displays the Manage Host Firmware Packaction supported on the service profile tab.

• Displays the following actions supported on theservice profile template tab:

◦Manage Host Firmware Pack

◦Manage Server Pool

Manage tab

Displays the chassis, rack mounts and fabricinterconnects associated with the domain on theirrespective tabs.

Related Objects tab

Viewing the Chassis DetailsThe following section explains how to view chassis related information using the vCenter plugin.

Procedure


A list of all the registered UCS domains appears.Step 4 Select a domain.Step 5 Click Chassis.

A list of all the chassis associated with the UCS domain appears.Step 6 Select a chassis from the list for which you want view the details.

On the right pane of the window, you can view the following chassis information:DescriptionName

Displays high level chassis information.Summary tab


Viewing Information Using the PluginViewing the Chassis Details

DescriptionName


• The associated PSUs and related informationon the PSU tab.

• The associated Input/output modules and relatedinformation on the IO Modules tab.

• The fan modules and related information on theFan tab.

Manage tab

Displays the ESX and non ESX servers, and the UCSdomain with which the chassis is associated, on theirrespective tabs.

Related Objects tab

Viewing the Fabric Interconnect DetailsThe following section explains how to view fabric interconnect related information using the vCenter plugin.

Procedure


A list of all the registered UCS domains appears.Step 4 Select a domain.Step 5 Click Fabric Interconnect.

A list of all the fabric interconnect associated with the UCS domain appears.Step 6 Select a fabric interconnect from the list for which you want view the details.

On the right pane of the window, you can view the following fabric interconnect information:DescriptionName

Displays high level fabric interconnect information.Summary tab




Manage tab


Viewing Information Using the PluginViewing the Fabric Interconnect Details

DescriptionName

Displays the UCS domain with which the fabricinterconnect is associated on their respective tabs.

Related Objects tab

Viewing the Non ESX Server DetailsYou can view the non ESX server information for the c-series servers under the rack mounts and the bladeservers under the chassis. The following section explains how to view the non ESX server related informationusing the vCenter plugin for either rack mounts or chassis.

Procedure


A list of all the registered UCS domains appears.Step 4 Select a domain.Step 5 Click Rack Mounts or Chassis.

A list of all the rack mounts or chassis associated with the UCS domain appears.Step 6 Select a rack mount or chassis.Step 7 Click Non ESX Servers.

A list of all the non ESX servers associated with the rack mount or chassis appears.Step 8 Select a server from the list for which you want view the details.

On the right pane of the window, you can view the following server information:DescriptionName

Displays the UCS server UUID, associated serviceprofile, serial number, and so on. It also has thefollowing action buttons:

• Launch KVM - You can launch the KVMconsole by clicking on this button.

• Launch UCSM - You can launch the CiscoUCS Manager with which the server isregistered by clicking on this button.

• Turn Locator LED On - You can turn thelocator LED on or off by clicking on this button.

Summary tab

Displays the UCS server inventory and firmwaremanagement information.

Manage tab


Viewing Information Using the PluginViewing the Non ESX Server Details

DescriptionName

Displays faults' information, power and temperaturestatistics.

Monitor tab

Displays information about the chassis or the rackmount they are associated with.

Related Objects tab

Viewing the ESX Server DetailsYou can view the ESX server information for the c-series servers under the rack mounts and the blade serversunder the chassis. The following section explains how to view the ESX server related information using thevCenter plugin for either rack mounts or chassis.

Procedure



A list of all the rack mounts or chassis associated with the UCS domain appears.Step 6 Select a rack mount or chassis.Step 7 Click ESX Servers.

A list of all the ESX servers associated with the rack mount or chassis appears.Step 8 Select a server from the list for which you want view the details.

On the right pane of the window, you can view the following server information:


Viewing Information Using the PluginViewing the ESX Server Details

DescriptionName

Displays high level server information related tohardware, configuration, health status and the CiscoUCS information.

The Cisco UCS information includes UUID,associated service profile, serial number, actionbuttons and so on. It also has the following actionbuttons:

• Launch KVM - You can launch the KVMconsole by clicking on this button.

• Launch UCSM - You can launch the CiscoUCS Manager with which the server isregistered by clicking on this button.

• Turn Locator LED On - You can turn thelocator LED on or off by clicking on this button.

Summary tab


• ESX server related information, such asnetworking, storage, alarm definitions, tags,permissions and settings information on theirrespective tabs.

• The Cisco UCS tab displays the UCS serverinventory and firmware managementinformation.

Manage tab

Displays faults' information, and power andtemperature statistics.

Monitor tab

Displays related information on chassis or the rackmount.

Related Objects tab

Viewing the Fabric Extender DetailsThe following section explains how to view fabric extender related information using the vCenter plugin.


Viewing Information Using the PluginViewing the Fabric Extender Details

Procedure


A list of all the registered UCS domains appears.Step 4 Select a domain.Step 5 Click Rack Mounts.

A list of all the rack mounts associated with the UCS domain appears.Step 6 Select a rack mount.Step 7 Click FEX.

On the right pane of the window, you can view the following fabric extender information:DescriptionName

Displays high level fabric extender information.Summary tab



• The associated Input/output modules and relatedinformation on the IO Modules tab.


Manage tab

Displays the rack mount with which the fabricextender is associated.

Related Objects tab



C H A P T E R 4Performing Actions Using the Plugin


• Performing Actions Using the Plugin, page 15

• ESX and Non ESX Server Actions, page 16

• Service Profile Templates Actions, page 19

• Service Profile Actions, page 20

• UCS Domain Actions, page 21

Performing Actions Using the PluginCisco UCS vCenter plugin enables you to perform various actions on the servers, UCS domains, serviceprofiles and service profile templates. The actions that you can perform are available, based on the associationstate of the servers and your user privileges. Before executing any action, an impact analysis is performed.Based on the result of the analysis, you are prompted to cancel or continue with the action.

You can perform the following actions on various components that can be managed using the plugin:

• ESX and non ESX servers:

◦Create service profiles for servers - allows you to create hardware or template based server profiles.

◦Manage BIOS policy - allows you to modify BIOS policy for a server.

◦Associate service profile - allows you to associate service profile for a server.

◦Manage firmware host pack - allows you to change host firmware pack for a server.

◦Disassociate service profile - allows you to disassociate service profile from a server.

• UCS domains: Reload UCS Domain - allows you to reload the physical inventory of a UCS domain.

• Service profile templates:

◦Manage host firmware pack - allows you to change host firmware pack for a service profile template.

◦Manage Server Pools - allows you to change server pools.


• Service profiles:Manage firmware host pack - allows you to change firmware host pack for a serviceprofile.

The following sections describe how to perform the available actions.

ESX and Non ESX Server Actions

Creating Service Profiles for ESX or Non-ESX ServersPerform the following steps to create a service profile:

Procedure



A list of all the rack mounts or chassis associated with the UCS domain appears.Step 6 Select a rack mount or chassis.Step 7 Click ESX Servers or Non ESX Servers.

A list of all the ESX or non ESX servers associated with the rack mount or chassis appears.Step 8 Select a server and right-click.

For ESX servers, right-click and select All Cisco UCS vCenter Plugin Actions.Step 9 Click Create Service Profile for Server.

Create Service Profile for Server screen appears.Step 10 In the Create Service Profile for Server, perform the following:

• Create Service Profile in Organization - Choose an organization from the drop-down menu.

• Select Hardware Based Service Profile or Template Based Service Profile.

• If you have chosen Hardware Based Service Profile, enter the following:

◦Name of the service profile.

◦Select Create Default vNICs or Create Default vHBAs.

◦Click OK.

• If you have chosen Template Based Service Profile, enter the following:

◦Name of the service profile.

◦Select a service profile template form the drop-down menu.

◦Click OK.


Performing Actions Using the PluginESX and Non ESX Server Actions

This creates a service profile and associates it with the chosen server.

Managing BIOS PoliciesPerform the following steps to manage a BIOS policy for a server:

Procedure




A list of all the ESX or non ESX servers associated with the rack mount or chassis appears.Step 8 Select a server and right-click.Step 9 ClickManage BIOS Policy.

Manage BIOS Policy screen appears.Step 10 In theManage BIOS Policy screen, select a BIOS Policy from the drop-down menu.Step 11 Click Save Changes.Step 12 To change the BIOS parameters, click on BIOS Policy Instance link.

BIOS Policy screen appears.Step 13 Make the necessary changes to the BIOS parameters and click Save Changes.

You can associate a BIOS policy to multiple servers, if you make changes to the policy, changes willapply to all the associated servers.

Note

Associating Service Profiles with the ServersPerform the following steps to associate a service profile with a server:

Procedure



Performing Actions Using the PluginManaging BIOS Policies



A list of all the ESX or non ESX servers associated with the rack mount or chassis appears.Step 8 Select a server and right-click.Step 9 Click Associate Service Profile.

Associate Service Profile screen appears.Step 10 In the Associate Service Profile screen, select Available Service Profiles or All Service Profiles.

A list of service profiles appears.Step 11 Select a service profile from the list and click OK.

The chosen service profile is associated with the server.

Managing Host Firmware PackPerform the following steps to manage firmware host packs for servers:

Procedure


A list of all the registered UCS domains appears.Step 4 Select a domain.Step 5 On the right pane of the screen:

• For service profile templates, clickManage > Service Profile Template.

• For service profiles, clickManage > Service Profile.

Step 6 Click Actions and selectManage Firmware Host Pack.Manage Firmware Host Pack screen appears.

Step 7 In theManage Firmware Host Pack screen, select a firmware host pack from the drop-down menu.Step 8 Click Save Changes.

Disassociating a Service Profile from a ESX or Non ESX ServerPerform the following steps to disassociate a service profile from a server:


Performing Actions Using the PluginManaging Host Firmware Pack

Procedure




A list of all the ESX or non ESX servers associated with the rack mount or chassis appears.Step 8 Select a server and right-click.Step 9 Click Disassociate Service Profile.Step 10 In the Disassociate Service Profile screen, select the service profile and click OK.

The service profile is disassociated from the server.

Service Profile Templates Actions


Procedure





Step 6 Click Actions and selectManage Firmware Host Pack.Manage Firmware Host Pack screen appears.

Step 7 In theManage Firmware Host Pack screen, select a firmware host pack from the drop-down menu.Step 8 Click Save Changes.


Performing Actions Using the PluginService Profile Templates Actions

Managing Server PoolsPerform the following steps to manage server pools:

Procedure


A list of all the registered UCS domains appears.Step 4 Select a domain.Step 5 On the right pane of the screen, clickManage > Service Profile TemplatesStep 6 Click Actions and selectManage Server Pools.

Associated Server Pools pop-up appears.Step 7 Click Associate with Server Pool.

Associate with Server Pool pop-up appears.Step 8 Select Pool Assignment and Server Pool Qualification from the respective drop-down menus.Step 9 Click OK.

Service Profile Actions


Procedure





Step 6 Click Actions and selectManage Firmware Host Pack.


Performing Actions Using the PluginManaging Server Pools

Manage Firmware Host Pack screen appears.Step 7 In theManage Firmware Host Pack screen, select a firmware host pack from the drop-down menu.Step 8 Click Save Changes.

UCS Domain Actions

Reloading UCS Domain InventoryPerform the following steps to reload a UCS domain inventory:

Procedure


A list of all the registered UCS domains appears.Step 4 Select a domain and right-click.Step 5 Select Reload UCS Domain.

Reloads the UCS domain inventory.


Performing Actions Using the PluginUCS Domain Actions


Performing Actions Using the PluginReloading UCS Domain Inventory

cisco ucs vcenter plugin 0.9.4 userguide

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