# Deploying Commvault Flex Appliance With Tagged vLAN and Bonding (Active-Backup or LACP)

Commvault Flex Appliance nodes can be deployed in environments with tagged virtual LANs (VLANs) with bonding.

Note

When the deployment is complete, the password based root access is disabled and firewall and ransomware protection settings are enabled on the node automatically.

## Before You Begin

- If you plan to connect to an existing CommServe server, gather the following information before you begin:

  - The fully qualified domain name (FQDN) of the CommServe server based on the endpoint type used in your deployment.

    Endpoint Type | Example | Applicable to SaaS Deployment
    --- | --- | ---
    CommServe FQDN Registration | `test.commvault.com` | No
    Backup Gateway (default port) | `test.eastus2.cloudapp.azure.com` | Yes
    Backup Gateway (non-default port) | `test.eastus2.cloudapp.azure.com:443` | Yes
    Registration URL (Metrics) | `https://metrics.metallic.io` | Yes
    Registration URL (CommServe) | `https://test.commvault.com` | No

  - The credentials of an administrative user.

  - Confirmation that TCP ports 8400 and 443 are open between the nodes and the CommServe server.

- Verify the requirements needed to setup the Bonded vLAN Topology in your environment.

Tip

Keep the network names and IP addresses listed in the Network Requirements section of Bonded vLAN Topology handy before you start the configuration.

## Procedure

1. Log on to the node as root user using the system console as described in Setting up a Static IP For IPMI. (Do not use PuTTy / SSH to setup the nodes.)

2. Launch the network configuration interface using the following command:

       # hssetup

   The Commvault Flex Appliance Installer page appears.

3. Click Start.

   The Network Configuration page appears.

4. Configure the routable data protection VLAN interface (bonded) as follows:

   1. Click Create bond.

      The Create bond dialog box appears.

      1. From the Interfaces list, select the 2 interfaces that will form the data protection bond. (For example, enpsf3 and enpsf5)

         Tip

         Hover the cursor over the interfaces to display the speed and MAC address of the physical interface.

      2. From Bonding mode list, select either active-backup (Mode 1) or LACP (Mode 4).

         Note

         The same bonding mode must be used for both the data protection and storage pool interfaces.

      3. Click CREATE.

      The bond1 interface appears in the Network Configuration page.

   2. Click Create VLAN.

      The Create VLAN dialog box appears.

      1. From the Interface list, click bond1.

      2. In the VLAN ID box, enter the VLAN ID associated with the routable VLAN network and then click CREATE.

      The bond1 interface appears with the VLAN ID in the Network Configuration page. (The VLAN ID will be different, depending on the VLAN ID in your environment.)

   3. From the Network Type list, select CommServe Registration.

      Note

      This network will perform the same role as the data protection network and will also be used to register the node to the CommServe server.

   4. Add the IP Address and Netmask in the respective boxes.

      Once completed your screen should be similar to the one shown in the following image:

5. Configure additional data protection VLAN interfaces (bonded) as follows:

   (Repeat this step to add all the VLANs available in your environment.)

   1. Click Create VLAN.

      The Create VLAN dialog box appears.

      1. From the Interface list, click bond1.

      2. In the VLAN ID box, enter the VLAN ID associated with the additional data protection VLAN network.

      3. Click CREATE.

      The new bond1 interface appears with the VLAN ID in the Node and Network Configuration page.

   2. From the Network Type list, select Data Protection.

   3. Add the IP Address and Netmask in the respective boxes.

   4. Repeat this step to configure ALL the VLANs available in your environment.

      Once completed your screen should be similar to the one shown in the following image: (The number of VLANs may vary depending on the number of VLANs available in your environment.)

6. Configure the storage pool interface (bonded) as follows:

   1. Click Create bond.

      The Create bond dialog box appears.

   2. From the Interfaces list, select the 2 interfaces that will form the storage pool bond. (For example, enpsf4 and enpsf6 .)

      Tip

      Hover the cursor over the interfaces to display the speed and MAC address of the physical interface.

   3. From Bonding mode list, select either active-backup (Mode 1) or LACP (Mode 4).

      Note

      The same bonding mode must be used for both the data protection and storage pool interfaces.

   4. Click CREATE.

      The bond2 interface appears in the Network Configuration page.

   5. From the Network Type list, select Storage Pool. This interface will be be used exclusively for communication and replication between the Commvault Flex Appliance nodes.

   6. Add the IP Address and Netmask in the respective boxes.

      Once completed your screen should be similar to the one shown in the following image:

7. Configure the DNS server(s) as follows:

   1. In the Default Gateway box, add the IP address associated with the default gateway.

   2. In the DNS Servers box, add the IP address associated with the DNS Server.

      Click the ADD button to add additional DNS servers. A maximum of 3 DNS servers can be added.

      Note

      Multiple DNS servers are recommended.

      Once completed your screen should be similar to the one shown in the following image: (The number of DNS servers may vary depending on the number of servers available in your environment.)

      Note

      Verify that the bonding mode is the same for both the data protection and storage pool bonds. Hover the cursor over the check box associated with the bond to view the bonding mode and other information associated with the interfaces.

8. Click CONFIGURE.

   The software validates the network. (This may take a few minutes to complete.)

   The Network Configuration Summary page appears.

9. Verify the network configuration and then click CONTINUE.

   Verify the following information.

   - All the VLANs are included.

   - IP address and Netmask for the VLANs are accurate.

     Note

     Hostname and serial number associated with the node is accurate.

     If you need to change the Hostname do so now. To change the hostname modify and correct the DNS records, (forward and reverse records) as discussed in Setting Up the DNS.

   - Default gateway and DNS servers are accurately configured.

     Note

     If an error is found, or if the hostname was changed, click CHANGE CONFIGURATION to go back and correct the values.

     The Node Details dialog box appears.

10. Click one of the following:

    - Click NO, EXIT to configure another node in the storage pool.

      Repeat the steps (steps 1 through 10) from another node.

    - Click YES, CONTINUE if this is the last node in the storage pool.

      The Setup Type page appears.

11. Click New storage pool setup and then click NEXT.

    The Select Nodes page appears.

12. Select the nodes as follows:

    1. Click the down arrow at the top right area of the page to view a list of available nodes.

    2. Click and select the nodes that must be included in the storage pool.

       Note

       If a remote node is not listed, make sure to complete the network configuration on the remote node, and then click ADD and enter the IP address of the node.

    3. Click NEXT.

       The selected nodes will be listed in the Select Nodes page.

    4. Click NEXT.

       The Network Configuration Summary page appears.

13. Verify the summary for each node by clicking the tabs associated with each node. Ensure that the nodes are accurately configured and then click NEXT.

    Verify the following information.

    - All nodes have the same number of VLANs.

    - All nodes have identical information for the VLANs.

    - All nodes have identical information for the default gateway and DNS servers.

      Note

      If an error is found, click Exit, login to the node in which the error is found and repeat all the steps to correct the error.

    The Server Credentials page appears.

14. Add the following information:

    1. In the Root password and Confirm password boxes, type a secure password for the nodes.

       Tip

       Hover the cursor over the Root password box to view the password requirements.

    2. In the Password for Restricted shell user - cvbackupadmin and Confirm cvbckupadmin password boxes, type a secure password for the cvbackupadmin user.

    3. Click NEXT.

    The Node Details page appears.

15. Add the following information:

    1. From the Time zone list, select the time zone in which the nodes are located.

    2. Optional: In the NTP Server/Pool box, type the IP address of the NTP server or NTP pool if available.

    3. Click NEXT.

       Note

       The setup process configures the network for the nodes. This will take some time to complete.

    The Network Status page appears.

16. Check the status to ensure that all the nodes have a green status to indicate that the network settings is validated and accurate. Click NEXT.

    Note

    If an error is found, hover your cursor over the status icon to view more information on the error. If a node is missing, exit the installer and confirm that all the nodes can ping each other on the storage pool network.

    The Server Information page appears

17. Add the following information:

    1. In the CommServeGateway Hostname box, enter the fully qualified domain name (FQDN) of the CommServe server based on the endpoint type used in your deployment.

       Endpoint Type | Example | Applicable to SaaS Deployment
       --- | --- | ---
       CommServe FQDN Registration | `test.commvault.com` | No
       Backup Gateway (default port) | `test.eastus2.cloudapp.azure.com` | Yes
       Backup Gateway (non-default port) | `test.eastus2.cloudapp.azure.com:443` | Yes
       Registration URL (Metrics) | `https://metrics.metallic.io` | Yes
       Registration URL (CommServe) | `https://test.commvault.com` | No

       Note

       TCP Ports 8400 & 443 must be open from the nodes to the CommServe server for the registration to work.

    2. In the Auth-code box, enter the authorization code to connect to the CommServe server.

    3. Click NEXT.

    The Flash Storage Details screen appears.

18. Complete the following steps:

    1. From the Storage Type list, select the required storage platform:

       - Everpure Storage FlashBlade
       - NetApp StorageGRID
       - VAST Data Platform
       - HPE MP X10000
       - Hitachi VSP One Object Storage

    2. From the Flash Storage Credential Type list, select one of the following:

       - S3 credentials
       - Array credentials

    Note

    - For the HPE MP X10000 storage type, only installations and configurations that use S3 credentials are supported. As a result, this option appears only when S3 Credentials is selected as the Flash Storage Credential Type.
    - The required fields vary based on the selected storage type and credential type.
    - Ensure that the correct credential type is selected for the chosen storage platform.

    1. In the Storage Pool Name, enter the name of the storage pool.

    2. Enter other details specific to the storage type and credentail type that you selected.

       - If you selected S3 credentials, enter the following details:

         - Bucket Name: Enter the bucket name.
         - S3 Service Host: Enter the hostname of the S3 service. For Hitachi VSP One Object Storage, enter the service host in the format `<servicehost>(<regionname>)`. For example, `vsp1o.hitachi.com(useast2)`.
         - S3 Access Key and S3 Secret Key: Enter the S3 credentials.
         - WORM Configuration: For a new bucket, enable or disable WORM lock and specify retention days. For an existing bucket, the existing WORM configurations apply.

       Sample screenshot for Hitachi VSP One Object Storage with Array credentials:

       - If you selected Array credentials, enter the following details for different storage types:

         - Everure Storage FlashBlade

           - Bucket Name: Enter the bucket name.
           - Storage Array FQDN hostname or IP address: Enter the hostname or IP address of the storage array.
           - Array Management Token ID: Enter the token ID to access the storage array.

         - NetApp StorageGRID

           - Bucket Name: Enter the bucket name.
           - Bucket Region: Enter the region name.
           - Storage Array FQDN hostname or IP address: Enter the hostname or IP address of the storage array.
           - Storage Array Login Name: Enter the login name for the user account access the storage array.
           - Storage Array Login Password: Enter the password for the user account access the storage array.
           - CVFlex Tenant Root Password: Enter the tenant root password.
           - S3 Service Host: Enter the hostname of the S3 service.

         - Hitachi VSP One Object Storage

           - Bucket Name: Enter the bucket name.
           - Bucket Region: Enter the region name.
           - Storage Array FQDN hostname or IP address: Enter the hostname or IP address of the storage array.
           - Storage Array Login Name: Enter the login name for the user account access the storage array.
           - Storage Array Login Password: Enter the password for the user account access the storage array.

         - VAST Data Platform

           - Bucket Name: Enter the bucket name.
           - Storage Array FQDN hostname or IP address: Enter the hostname or IP address of the storage array.
           - Storage Array Login Name: Enter the login name for the user account access the storage array.
           - Storage Array Login Password: Enter the password for the user account access the storage array.

         Sample screenshot for Hitachi VSP One Object Storage with Array credentials:

    The software validates the information and will start the installation process. This process may take some time (approximately 45 minutes) to complete. You can monitor the progress using the progress bar.

    Caution

    Do not reboot or stop the installation during this process.

    Once the installation is completed, the Installation page appears.

19. Click CLOSE.

## What to Do Next

Complete the additional configurations that may be required to customize your environment. For more information, see What to do Next.

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