Configuring the blade server

There are several components on the blade server that you can configure and several methods for configuring those components.

1. Configure the Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) firmware for the blade server.
   You can configure the UEFI firmware by using the Setup utility or the Advanced Settings Utility (ASU). For more information about the Setup utility, see Using the Setup utility. For more information about ASU, see Using the Advanced Settings Utility (ASU).

   Note: For more information about firmware configuration options, see http://www.ibm.com/systems/support/supportsite.wss/docdisplay?lndocid=MIGR-5083207&brandind=5000008.
2. Set the boot protocol.
   To set the boot protocol, use either the Setup Utility or the Preboot Execution Environment (PXE) boot agent utility program. For more information about the PXE boot agent utility program, see Using the PXE boot agent utility program.

   Note: You can temporarily redefine the boot order by using the Boot menu program that is provided with the blade server firmware
3. Configure the RAID array.
   You can install up to two solid state drives in the blade server and implement RAID level-0 (striping) or RAID level-1 (mirror) arrays in operating systems that are listed on the ServerProven list at the http://www.ibm.com/ servers/eserver/serverproven/compat/us/. For the blade server, you must configure the RAID by using the LSI Configuration Utility program.

   Note: If you are implementing a scalable blade complex in single partition mode, you cannot combine the SSD in both the primary and the secondary server to define a RAID array. RAID arrays can be defined using only the SSDs within a blade server.

   If an optional RAID expansion card is installed, you can use it to control all the storage drives that are installed in the blade server. See the documentation that comes with the expansion card for information about how to configure the RAID array.

   Important: You must create the RAID array before you install the operating system on the blade server.

4. Configure the integrated management module (IMM).
   To configure the IMM, use either the Setup utility or the Advanced Settings Utility (ASU).
5. Update the blade server firmware. For more information about updating blade server firmware, see Updating firmware and device drivers
   If you are performing inband updates to firmware on blade servers operating as a single partition in a scalable blade complex, see Updating firmware for blade servers operating as a single partition. If you are updating firmware for blade servers that are operating as independent partitions in a scalable blade complex or you are performing out-of-band updates to firmware for blade servers in a scalable blade complex, see Updating firmware for each blade server independently.
6. Use IBM FastSetup
   IBM FastSetup is a no-cost software tool that helps simplify the maintenance and deployment of selected IBM BladeCenter chassis, servers, and components. The intuitive graphical interface initializes all phases of server setup, including discovery, update, and configuration. Features include templates that enable replication of settings to many servers and automation that reduces hands-on time and user errors. Wizards and other default settings enable customization capabilities. The low-touch, set-once and walk-away feature reduces the hands-on server setup time from days to minutes, particularly for larger deployments. For information about this tool, see http://www.ibm.com/support/entry/portal/docdisplay?brand=5000008&lndocid=TOOL-FASTSET.