# Basic Deployment of Commvault Flex Appliance

Commvault Flex Appliance nodes can be deployed with a basic data protection and storage pool interfaces.

Use this procedure to deploy the Commvault Flex Appliance software using the latest version of the Commvault Flex Appliance ISO.

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 for setting up the Basic Topology in your environment.

Tip

Keep the network names and IP addresses listed in the Network Requirements section of Basic Topology handy before you start the configuration. This will help you to accurately add the details during the deployment.

## 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 data protection interface as follows:

   1. Click Configure interface.

      The Configure interface dialog box appears.

   2. From the Interfaces list, select one of the data protection interfaces. (For example, enpsf1 or enpsf3.)

      Tip

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

   3. Click CREATE.

      The selected interface appears in the Network Configuration page.

   4. 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.

   5. 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 the storage pool interface as follows:

   1. Click Configure interface.

      The Configure interface dialog box appears.

   2. From the Interfaces list, select one of the storage pool interfaces. (For example, enpsf4 or enpsf6.)

      Tip

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

   3. Click CREATE.

      The selected interface appears in the Node and Network Configuration page.

   4. 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.

   5. 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:

6. 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.)

7. Click CONFIGURE

   The software validates the network and will take a few minutes to complete.

   The Network Configuration Summary dialog box appears.

8. Verify the network configuration and then click CONTINUE.

   Verify the following information.

   - IP address and netmask for the data protection interface accurate.

   - IP address and netmask for the storage pool interface is accurate.

   - Hostname and serial number associated with the node is accurate.

     Note

     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 configuration dialog box appears.

9. 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.

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

    The Select Nodes page appears.

11. 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.

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

    Important

    Verify that all nodes have identical information for the default gateway and DNS servers.

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

    The Server Credentials page appears.

13. 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.

14. 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.

15. 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

16. 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.

17. 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.

18. 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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