Installing SCALE Enterprise (HA)
12 minute read.
Last Modified 2023-02-22 12:01 ESTTrueNAS Enterprise
TrueNAS SCALE Enterprise will be generally available with the release of SCALE 22.12.2. Do not attempt to install Enterprise High Availability systems with TrueNAS SCALE until it becomes generally available or the deployment is experimental in nature.
Installing TrueNAS SCALE on High Availability (HA) systems is complicated and should be guided by Enterprise level support. Contact iXsystems Support for assistance whenever attempting to install TrueNAS SCALE on Enterprise HA hardware.
Do NOT use Linux or CLI commands to recover or clean-install the SCALE iso file or configure any initial configuration settings! Incorrect use of CLI commands can further disrupt your system access and can potentially do greater damage to your system. Proceed at your own risk.
This article outlines a procedure to do a clean install of a SCALE Enterprise (HA) systems using an iso file. HA systems are dual controller systems. Execute this procedure on both controllers in the system. SCALE includes features and functions to help guide you with completing the process after you get to the SCALE UI.
For a list of SCALE Enterprise (HA) preparation information, see Preparing for SCALE UI Configuration (Enterprise).
Have this information handy to complete this procedure:
- All the assigned network addresses and host names (VIP, controller A and B IP addresses)
- Other network information including domain name(s), and DNS server, default gateway, alias or other static IP addresses
- The IPMI access addresses for each controller and the administration credentials for IPMI access to these addresses
- SCALE license file provided by iXsystems.
- SCALE Storage Controller A and B serial numbers (refer to contracts or documentation provided with the system, or contact iXsystems Support and provide your contract number)
HA system controllers each have serial numbers, the lower number assigned is for controller A (e.g. of two controller serial numbers assigned A1-12345 and A1-12346, the A1-12345 is for controller A and A1-12346 is for controller B).
When restoring after a clean install, also have ready: - Storage data backups to import into the Enterprise HA system.
- System configuration file from the previous TrueNAS install.
The sections in this article cover these primary steps:
Download the iso file from the TrueNAS website and prepare a USB flash drive to use if not using IPMI for remote access.
Log into your IPMI system using the network address assigned to for controller A.
Install SCALE using the iso file and use the Fresh Install option on controller A, and when complete, then repeat on controller B in the other IPMI session.
Use the DHCP-assigned IP address or assign the controller A IP address using the Console Setup Menu to gain access to the SCALE UI.
Use the SCALE UI for system configuration as it has safety mechanisms in place to prevent disrupting network access that could require you to repeat the clean install to access your system. However, if you are experienced with the Console Setup Menu and are using it to configure network settings you can configure the rest of the controller A network settings with the Console Setup Menu.
In a separate web browser session, log into the system IPMI using the network address assigned for controller B. Leave the controller A IPMI connection up and where you left it at after completing step 4, and then repeat step 3 for controller B.
Log into the SCALE UI to sign the EULA agreement on controller A and apply the system license.
Disable failover to configure the rest of the network settings and edit the primary network interface on controller A, and then enable failover.
Complete the minimum storage requirement by adding or importing one pool on controller A.
Sign in using the Virtual IP (VIP) address.
These steps are described in detail in the sections that follow.
Download the .iso file.
If you are remote to the system and are installing through an IPMI connection you do not need to save the .iso file to a USB flash drive.
If you are physically present with the TrueNAS SCALE system, burn the .iso file to a USB flash drive and use that as the install media.
Use this process to install the iso file on controller A, and then after completing Using the SCALE Installer on controller A, repeat this process for controller B.
If you are doing a clean install from the SCALE .iso file to recover from an issue that requires you to re-install SCALE from the .iso, have your network configuration information ready to use after the installation completes. Also have your SCALE system configuration file and data backups handy so you can recover your system settings and import your data into the recovered SCALE clean-install system.
After installing the both controller A and B .iso file and finishing the TrueNAS SCALE Installer process, if the TrueNAS SCALE server is connected to the network where DHCP is not enabled, use the Console setup menu to assign controller A main network interface the static IP address to allow access to the SCALE UI. TrueNAS SCALE uses DHCP to assign an IP address to the primary network interface to allow access to the SCALE UI.
Only users with experience configuring network settings and using the Console setup menu should use it to configure all network settings. All other users should only use the Console Setup Menu to configure a static IP address for the primary network interface for Controller A to allow access to the SCALE UI. The SCALE UI has safeguards in place to prevent network connectivity issues that could require a clean install of SCALE to restore access.To use the Console setup menu to change the primary network interface IP address:
- Type 1 and then press Enter to open the Configure Network Interfaces screen.
- Use either Tab or the arrow keys to select the interface assigned as your primary network interface. If you have more than one interface installed and wired to your network, the primary interface is typically eno1.
- Type in the IP address then use either Tab or the arrow keys to move through the menu and down to select Save, and then press Enter.
- Type q to return to the main Console setup menu.
SCALE UI Enterprise customers see the End User License Agreement (EULA) screen the first time they log in. Sign the agreement to open the main SCALE Dashboard. Apply the system license next.
Go to System Settings > General and click Add License on the Support widget. Copy your license and paste it into the License field, then click Save License. The Reload dialog opens. Click Reload Now. Controller A restarts, and displays the EULA for controller B. Sign the EULA agreement for controller B, and add the license.
The A and B controller serial numbers display on the Support widget on the System Settings > General screen.
You must disable the failover service before you can configure network settings!SCALE Enterprise (HA) systems use three static IP addresses for access to the UI:
- VIP to provide UI access regardless of which controller is active. If your system fails over from controller A to B, then fails over back to controller A later you might not know which controller is active.
- IP for controller A. If enabled on your network, DHCP assigns only the Controller A IP address. If not enabled, you must change this to the static IP address your network administrator assigned to this controller.
- IP for Controller B. DHCP does not assign the second controller an IP address.
Have your list of network addresses, host and domain names ready so you can complete the network configuration without disruption or system timeouts. SCALE safeguards allow a default of 60 seconds to test and save changes to a network interface before reverting changes. This is to prevent users from breaking their network connection in SCALE.
Related Installation Articles
- Preparing for SCALE UI Configuration
- Preparing for SCALE UI Configuration (Enterprise)
- Preparing for SCALE UI Configuration (Home Users)
- Adding Network Settings
- Installing SCALE
- Migrating from TrueNAS CORE
- Using the Console Setup Menu
- Importing a Pool
- Importing Data
- Configuring SCALE Using the UI
- Shutting Down SCALE Enterprise HA