Installing bakend nodes
After the frontend is up and running, backend nodes can be installed.
Requirements
A backend has the following hardware requirements.
| Resource | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| System Memory | 3 GB | 8 GB |
| Network Interfaces | 1 (PXE-Capable) | 1 or more (PXE-Capable) |
| Disk Capacity | 40 GB | 100 GB |
BIOS boot order
- PXE (Network Boot)
- CD/DVD Device (Optional - Only if device is present)
- Hard Disk
Discovery or Spreadsheet
You have a frontend. It's useless if it's not managing backend nodes.
To install a new backend node, Stacki needs to add information about the server (IP address, MAC address, appliance type, etc) to the configuration database.
You can add backend hosts either with a spreadsheet or discovery.
When using discovery, the frontend acts as a promiscuous DHCP server. This is not always acceptable on enterprise networks.
The frontend will attempt to install any machine making a successful pxe/dhcp request. Afer the initial installation of backends, the frontend no longer acts as a promiscuous DHCP server. This is acceptable on most networks.
Do Discovery if: * You have full control of the network. * Your security/network teams aren't freaked about promiscuous DHCP, no matter how short-lived. * You're lazy and don't want to create a spreadsheet detailing the hostname/mac/ip pairings.
Do Spreadsheet: * You don't control the network. * Your security and/or network teams consider this the start of The Apocalypse. * You love spreadsheets.
ALL backend nodes have to have PXE set first in the BIOS boot order. A must. An absolute requirement. A categorical imperative (Yeaaah, you know your Kant). You're not installing anything automated or at scale if you're not doing this. Don't argue. I have 15 years of arguments waiting to be used.
If the vendor does not set PXE first on your machines, you have to go do it. * Boot the machine. * Select BIOS Setup. * Enable PXE on the NIC wired to the installation network. * In the boot order set that NIC to the first boot device. * Save settings and exit.
Please note: Installing laptops as backends is not supported. Ever. Eeeeeeeevverrrrrrr. Don't write. Don't call. Don't text if you're trying to install a laptop as a backend server. Our most acidic mockery is reserved for you. (pH level = 0 = battery acid) If you're successful, great, don't tell us, we don't care.