Depending on the value of discovery_mechanism
in input/provision_config.yml
, potential target servers can be discovered one of four ways:
mappingfile switch-based bmc snmp
- switch_based
Omnia can query known switches (by SNMPv3 username/password) for information on target node MAC IDs.
Pros
- The whole discovery process is totally automatic.
- Admin IP, BMC IP and Infiniband IP address configuration is automatic on the target nodes.
- Re-provisioning of servers will be automatic.
- PXE booting servers is supported via split ports on the swtich.
Cons
- Users need to enable IPMI on target servers.
- Servers require a manual PXE boot after the first run of the provision tool
For more information regarding switch-based discovery, click here
- mapping
Manually collect PXE NIC information for target servers and manually define them to Omnia using a mapping file using the below format:
pxe_mapping_file.csv
MAC,Hostname,IP
xx:yy:zz:aa:bb:cc,server,10.5.0.101
aa:bb:cc:dd:ee:ff,server2, 10.5.0.102
Pros
- Easily customized if the user maintains a list of MAC addresses.
Cons
- The user needs to be aware of the MAC/IP mapping required in the network.
- Servers require a manual PXE boot if iDRAC IPs are not configured.
For more information regarding mapping files, click here
- snmpwalk
Omnia can query known switches (by IP and community string) for information on target node MAC IDs.
- Pros
- The method can be applied to large clusters.
- User intervention is minimal.
- Cons
- Switches should be SNMP enabled.
- Servers require a manual PXE boot if iDRAC IPs are not configured.
- PXE NIC ranges should contain IPs that are double the iDRACs present (as NIC and iDRAC MACs may need to be mapped).
- LOM architecture is not supported.
For more information regarding snmpwalk, click here
- bmc
Omnia can also discover nodes via their iDRAC using IPMI.
Pros
- Discovery and provisioning of servers is automatic.
- Admin, BMC and Infiniband IP address configuration is automatic on the control plane.
Cons
- For iDRACs that are not DHCP enabled (ie Static), users need to enable IPMI manually.
For more information regarding BMC, click here