Quick installation checklist

This checklist provides a high-level overview of the basic installation process from the planning stage to the point where the switch comes online and is ready to be deployed. Completing all the tasks in the suggested order ensures successful installation. IBM recommends that you print this checklist and take it to the installation site.

Pre-installation tasks

Review all installation requirements ahead of time as part of your site preparation. Careful planning and site preparation ensures seamless installation, especially when installing multiple switches.

Table 1. Installation prerequisites
Task	Task details or additional information	Completed
Unpack the switch.	Take an inventory of the hardware components included in your shipment. Refer to Items included with the switch.
Gather necessary components and required tools.	Review the time and items required information at the beginning of each chapter to ensure you have gathered all necessary components required for the following installation tasks: Mounting the switch Power supply and fan assembly Installing transceivers and cables
Review the safety precautions.	Refer to Safety and environmental notices.
Plan the installation.	Decide whether you want to install the unit on a flat surface or in a rack. For rack installation, obtain the appropriate rack mount kit. Refer to Mounting options.
Review and verify installation requirements.	Verify that the following requirements are met. Refer to Facility requirements. Power requirements Environmental requirements Clearance for standalone or rack installation
Gather network configuration parameters.	IP address: Subnet mask: Default gateway: Domain ID: Time zone:

Installation and initial configuration

The initial setup includes mounting the device on a flat surface or in a rack and completing the configuration tasks necessary to bring the device online and verify the operation.

Table 2. Installation and basic system configuration
Task	Task details or additional information	Completed
Mount the device.	Choose one of the following mounting options: Mount the device as a standalone unit. Refer to Setting up the switch as a standalone unit. Mount the device in a four-post rack. Refer to Installing the Universal Four-Post Rack Kit. Mount the device in a two-post rack. Refer to Installing the Universal Two-Post Rack Kit.
Check the airflow of the power supply and fan assembly	The airflow direction of the power supply and fan should match. The power supplies and fan trays are clearly labeled with either a green arrow with an "E", or an orange arrow with an "I." For more details, refer to Identifying the airflow direction.
Gather all components required for the initial setup.	Refer to Items required.
Provide power to the device.	Refer to Providing power to the switch.
Attach a management station, establish a serial connection, and change the default passwords (optional).	Refer to Establishing a first-time serial connection. After completing this task, log in to the serial port to configure the device.
Set the IP address, subnet mask, and the default gateway IP address.	Use the ipaddrset command to configure a static device IP address, subnet mask, and gateway IP address, or you can use a DHCP server to obtain the information dynamically. Refer to Configuring the IP address.
Set the date and time.	Use the date command to display and set the date and time. Use the tstimezone command to display and set the time zone. Use the tsclockserver command to synchronize the time with an external NTP server. Refer to Setting the date and time for more information.
Customize the switch name and chassis name.	Use the swicthname command to change the default switch name. Use the chassisname command to change the default chassis name. Refer to Customizing the chassis name and switch name for more information.
Establish an Ethernet connection.	By establishing an Ethernet connection, you can complete the device configuration using a serial session, Telnet, or management application, such as IBM Network Advisor. Refer to Establishing an Ethernet connection.
Optional: Configure the DNS service.	Use the dnsconfig command to create DNS server entries. Refer to theFabric OS Administrator's Guide.
Optional: Customize the domain ID.	Use the configure command to change the domain ID (default ID is 1). Refer toSetting the domain ID for more information.
Verify that the device operates correctly.	Check the LEDs to verify operation of functional parts. Refer to Interpreting port-side LEDs and Interpreting nonport-side LEDs. The following commands can be useful to establish an operational baseline for the device. Refer to the Fabric OS Command Reference for more information on these commands. psshow fanshow tempshow historyshow errdump
Back up the configuration.	Use the interactive configupload command to back up the configuration. Refer to Verifying correct operation for more information.
Optional: Power off the devices.	Enter the shutdown command and wait for the device to power down, and then unplug the power cords. Refer to Powering down the device for more information.