For certain systems without disks, you can install the operating system on storage devices. The server loads the operating system from storage devices for each startup.
NOTE:
On an FC SAN network, after the application server starts and completes FC HBA check, the LUNs mapped from storage device can be used by the application server as local disks. Therefore, you can install the operating system on the storage devices and set FC SAN startup through HBA. On an IP SAN network, the LUNs mapped from storage devices can be used by the application server as local disks only after both the application server and the iSCSI service start. Therefore, you cannot configure IP SAN startup on an IP SAN network.
Currently, commonly-used HBAs include Qlogic and Emulex HBAs.
The procedure for enabling the FC SAN startup on Qlogic HBAs is as follows:
1. Go to the HBA configuration page.
a. During system startup, press CTRL+Q to go to the HBA configuration page, as shown in Figure 1.
Figure 1 HBA configuration page
b. Select the FC HBA connected to the storage device. In the option menu, choose Configuration Settings > Adapter Settings > Host Adapter BIOS to go to the adapter configuration interface, as shown in Figure 2.
Figure 2 Adapter configuration interface
2. Enable the BIOS function of the adapter.
a. Set Host Adapter BIOS to Enabled.
b. Press ESC to exit from the adapter configuration interface.
3. Select the corresponding HBA.
a. In Configuration Settings, select Selectable Boot Settings and press Enter. The Selectable Boot Settings page is displayed, as shown in Figure 3.
Figure 3 Selectable Boot Settings page
b. Select the main startup devices based on Boot Port Number and LUN, and press Enter.
The system displays selected devices, as shown in Figure 4.
Figure 4 Selected devices
4. Press Enter. The selected LUN is used as the first startup device, as shown in Figure 5. You can copy and install the operating system to the disk mapped from the LUN.
Figure 5 Result
The procedure for enabling the FC SAN startup on Emulex HBAs is as follows:
1. Select the HBA for the startup device.
a. During the startup of the application server, press ALT+E to go to the BIOS setting page. The system displays the HBA of the current system, as shown in Figure 6.
Figure 6 BIOS setting page
b. Enter the HBA number behind Enter a Selection and press Enter.
Figure 7 shows the page that is displayed.
Figure 7 Page for selection
2. Select the disk for startup.
a. Enter 1 behind Enter a Selection to go to the startup device selection page, as shown in Figure 8.
Figure 8 Selecting a startup device
2. Select the disk for startup.
a. Enter 1 behind Enter a Selection to go to the startup device selection page, as shown in Figure 8.
Figure 8 Selecting a startup device
c. Enter the two-digit number of the selected LUN behind Select The Two Digit Number of the Desired Boot Device, and press Enter. The system displays the information about the selected LUN, as shown in Figure 10.
Figure 10 LUN information
d. Enter the number of the mapped disk behind Enter a Selection and press Enter.
The system displays the disk identifier selection page, as shown in Figure 11.
Figure 11 Disk identifier selection page
3. Configure to start a device through WWPN or DID.
Enter the option number behind Enter a Selection and press Enter. The system displays the HBA setting option page, as shown in Figure 12.
Figure 12 HBA setting option page
4. Enable the BIOS function of the HBA.
a. Enter 2 behind Enter a Selection.
The parameter option page is displayed, as shown in Figure 13.
Figure 13 Parameter option page
b. Enter 1 behind Enter a Selection to set the BIOS function. Press 1 to enable the BIOS function.
Figure 14 shows the BIOS function setting page.
Figure 14 BIOS function setting page
5. Press Enter to save configurations and exit.
The system displays the selected mapped disk is used as the first startup device, as shown in Figure 15.
Figure 15 Startup device setting result
