Hello everyone, in this video I will show you how to install MSSQL Always On and configure an Availability Group on the servers

·         In this video, we will install MSSQL Server on two servers: MSSQL1 and MSSQL2. These are our servers. I have already added them to the domain and created a specific Organizational Unit, placing these servers under that Organizational Unit.

·         This is MSSQL1.

·         This is MSSQL2.

·         Before installing SQL on these servers, I need to activate the Failover Clustering feature on them.

·         First, activate the Failover Clustering feature on the MSSQL1 server.

·         Click on Add Roles and Features.

·         Click Next.

·         Next.

·         Next.

·         Select the Failover Clustering feature.

·         Click Add Features.

·         Next.

·         Install.

·         Activate Failover Clustering on MSSQL2 in the same way.

·         Okay, wait for a few minutes to complete activating Failover Clustering on both servers.

·         To use the Failover Clustering feature, a dedicated network interface is used on both servers to handle cluster traffic. Using a dedicated interface on the servers is recommended.

·         Rename this interface to ‘Cluster’.

·         Rename the interface on the MSSQL2 server to ‘Cluster’ as well.

·         Ethernet0 is the management interface we use to handle server traffic.

·         If you plan to use MSSQL Always On, the SQL service must run on the servers using domain user accounts instead of service accounts. Therefore, I created a user in Active Directory.

·         Uncheck this box and check that box.

·         Alright, Failover Clustering has been enabled on MSSQL1.

·         Close.

·         Open Run and type control userpasswords2.

·         Add the user created for the MSSQL service to the local administrators group on both servers.

·         Finish.

·         Add that user to the local administrators group on MSSQL2 in the same way.

·         Failover Clustering has also been enabled on MSSQL2.

·         Now, it’s time to configure the Failover Cluster on these servers.

·         Open the Failover Cluster Manager.

·         Click on ‘Validate Configuration’ to check and verify the servers’ prerequisites and requirements before creating a cluster between these servers.

·         Next.

·         Here, we select the servers that we want to join the cluster and work as part of the cluster.

·         Check name.

·         Select.

·         Select both of the servers.

·         Ok.

·         Next.

·         Run All Tests.

·         Next.

·         The checking process is currently ongoing.

·         There is no need to run validation and cluster configuration on another server.

·         We received some errors and warnings, but because this is a test environment, they are not critical. These issues are typically related to network interfaces and server connections. In a production environment, you should ideally not encounter any warnings or errors.

·         After validating the configuration, it’s time to create the cluster.

·         Click on ‘Create Cluster’.

·         Next.

·         Select the servers to be part of the cluster.

·         Next.

·         Next, we need to assign a name and IP address to the cluster. This is for the Windows Cluster service and is not related to MSSQL.

·         Next.

·         Next.

·         When you look in Active Directory Users and Computers, you’ll find the cluster name object created in the Computers container, within the same Organizational Unit as your servers.

·         Okay, our cluster has been created.

·         Check the status of the cluster nodes.

·         Both servers are online.

·         As you can see, there is no witness configured.

·         Right-click the cluster, then go to More Actions and select ‘Configure Cluster Quorum Settings’.

·         Choose ‘Select the quorum witness’ and click Next.

·         Choose ‘Configure a File Share Witness’ and then click Next.

·         Here, choose a shared folder. I prefer to use a shared folder located on the Active Directory server.

·         Click ‘Browse’ to choose the Active Directory server.

·         Click ‘Browse’ again.

·         Since there is no shared folder, click on ‘New Shared Folder’.

·         The local path of the shared folder points to a folder on the Active Directory server.

·         As you can see, I am using a root folder on the C drive.

·         Specify the name of the shared folder to be created on the Active Directory server’s C drive, and assign read and write permissions to all users.

·         Ok.

·         Ok.

·         Next.

·         Finish.

·         Okay, the witness has been created.

·         The Windows Failover Cluster configuration is now complete and functioning correctly. Both servers monitor each other, so if one fails, the other takes over seamlessly. Services continue to run without interruption.

·         In the next step, we are going to install the MSSQL service on the servers.

·         Run the setup as an administrator to start installing SQL on MSSQL1.

·         Go to Installation and choose ‘New SQL Server stand-alone installation’.

·         Begin installing SQL on MSSQL2 at the same time as on MSSQL1. While this isn’t required, I run the setup on both servers simultaneously to save time.

·         The SQL Server installation steps are the same for both servers.

·         Enter your product key and click Next.

·         Accept.

·         Next.

·         Select the features you want to install based on your needs, but make sure to select Database Engine Services to install the SQL service on the server.

·         Next.

·         Repeat the same steps on MSSQL2.

·         Keep the default instance or modify it according to your requirements.

·         At this point, change the service account to the domain account we created earlier, which is already added as a local administrator on MSSQL1 and MSSQL2.

·         Enter the account password and set the startup type to Automatic.

·         Applying the same changes to the Database Engine service.

·         Leave the settings for SQL Server Browser as they are.

·         Select Mixed Mode from the authentication section and enter a strong password. This is your SQL Server SA account.

·         Also, click on ‘Add Current User’ to add the logged-in user as a SQL administrator. These settings can be adjusted based on your requirements.

·         Next.

·         Install.

·         Continue the installation on the MSSQL2 server.

·         SQL installation on both servers is complete. Next, we’ll configure SQL Server to work as Always On.

·         Open SQL Server Configuration Manager.

·         In SQL Server Services, right-click on SQL Server and choose Properties.

·         Select ‘Always On Availability Groups’ and check ‘Enable Always On Availability Groups’.

·         Ok.

·         You need to restart the SQL Server service for the change to take effect.

·         Repeat the same steps on the other server.

·         Ok.

·         Restart.

·         Alright, now open SQL Server Management Studio.

·         Connect to MSSQL1.

·         Now, we need to assign permissions to the Organizational Unit containing the MSSQL servers. Provide full permissions to the user running the SQL services, and also grant permissions to the computers and cluster objects to manage the Organizational Unit. This allows the SQL service to manage the cluster computers properly.

·         As you can see, the Security tab is not visible. To fix this, enable Advanced Features from the View menu.

·         Return to Management Studio.

·         In Always On High Availability, right-click on Availability Groups and choose ‘New Availability Group Wizard’.

·         Next.

·         Enter a name for the Availability Group.

·         Next.

·         Since we don’t have any database, I can’t proceed with the wizard. Let’s create a test database before we start.

·         Right-click on Databases and select ‘New Database’.

·         Enter a name for the database.

·         Go to the Options section and verify that the Recovery Model is set to Full.

·         To add any database to an Availability Group, the database recovery model must be set to Full.

·         Ok.

·         Additionally, before adding a database to the Availability Group, a full backup of the database must be taken.

·         Right-click the database, go to Tasks, and click Backup.

·         Set the backup type to Full.

·         Ok.

·         Ok.

·         Open the New Availability Group Wizard again.

·         Next.

·         Write the name of Availability Group.

·         Next.

·         Select Test database.

·         Next.

·         Here is MSSQL1. Click ‘Add Replica’ to add MSSQL2 as a replica and configure the availability group to synchronize data between both servers.

·         These are the availability modes, and here you can see the differences between them.

·         The mode you choose depends on your requirements.

·         I prefer to use synchronous commit.

·         And here you can see the endpoints.

·         Backup preferences are also shown here.

·         At this step, the Listener section is the most important.

·         Choose ‘Create an Availability Group Listener’.

·         Type the DNS name for the listener.

·         Specify the port to be used for SQL connections from clients.

·         Select the interface subnet that will listen for SQL connections.

·         Specify the virtual IP address that will be used for SQL Always On.

·         Since we granted permissions to the SQL service account and server computers, the listener DNS name and IP address will be created automatically.

·         Next.

·         Choose Automatic Seeding, then click Next.

·         Next.

·         Finish.

·         Alright, all tasks have been completed successfully.

·         As you can see, both servers are listed under Available Replicas.

·         Under Available Databases, you can find the databases added to Always On. They will function correctly during server failures, with data maintained on all replicas.

·         You can add more databases to this list later.

·         Databases added to Always On appear as synchronous.

·         Let’s verify the listener and try connecting to the database through the listener name.

·         Enter the listener name.

·         Alright, as you can see, we connect to the database via the listener name. Even if one server fails, our connection remains intact.

·         To check the replication status, right-click the Availability Group name and select ‘Show Dashboard’.

·         MSSQL1 is currently the primary server. I will do a failover to switch the primary server to MSSQL2.

·         Next.

·         Choose the new primary server.

·         Next.

·         Connect to the new primary MSSQL server instance.

·         Next.

·         Finish.

·         Alright, as you can see, the failover happened, and after a few seconds, the sync status will show green. During this time, the database remains fully functional.

·         Performing failover again to change the primary server back to MSSQL1.

·         Next, create a new database on MSSQL1 and include it in Always On.

·         The recovery model is set to Full.

·         Take a full backup.

·         Right-click on the available database.

·         Add database.

·         Choose the database you want to add to Always On.

·         Next.

·         Connect to MSSQL2 server instance.

·         Next.

·         Next.

·         Finish.

·         You can see that both databases are marked as synchronous.

1. Update YUM

Updating YUM itself might solve some compatibility issues:

yum update

yum install wget 

2. Check Network Connectivity

Ensure the server has internet access, as YUM needs to download packages from repositories online. Test with:

ping google.com

If there’s no response, troubleshoot the network connection first.

3. Verify Repository Configuration

Check that your repository configuration files are correctly set up in /etc/yum.repos.d/ Sometimes, repositories may be disabled or misconfigured. Ensure all necessary repositories are enabled.

4. Install CentOS Base and Updates Repositories (Default Repos)

CentOS comes with default repositories configured in /etc/yum.repos.d/CentOS-Base.repo. This file contains sections for:

• base: The main OS packages.
• updates: Updates to the packages.
• extras: Additional packages that complement the base OS.
• centosplus: Extended packages not included in the base.

Make sure this file exists and has the necessary sections. You can edit it using a text editor like nano or vi:

vi CentOS-Base

    [base]
    name=CentOS-$releasever - Base
    baseurl=https://vault.centos.org/7.9.2009/os/$basearch/
    gpgcheck=1
    gpgkey=file:///etc/pki/rpm-gpg/RPM-GPG-KEY-CentOS-7
    enabled=1

    [updates]
    name=CentOS-$releasever - Updates
    baseurl=https://vault.centos.org/7.9.2009/updates/$basearch/
    gpgcheck=1
    gpgkey=file:///etc/pki/rpm-gpg/RPM-GPG-KEY-CentOS-7
    enabled=1

    [extras]
    name=CentOS-$releasever - Extras
    baseurl=https://vault.centos.org/7.9.2009/extras/$basearch/
    gpgcheck=1
    gpgkey=file:///etc/pki/rpm-gpg/RPM-GPG-KEY-CentOS-7
    enabled=1

    [centosplus]
    name=CentOS-$releasever - Plus
    baseurl=https://vault.centos.org/7.9.2009/centosplus/$basearch/
    gpgcheck=1
    gpgkey=file:///etc/pki/rpm-gpg/RPM-GPG-KEY-CentOS-7
    enabled=0

insert mode changes to action mode

now type…

  : w q ! 

to save the file and close file editor.

5. Run Yum Update Again

yum update

okay fixed.

Setting up your own free cloud server with features like voice and video calls, file sharing, and screen sharing is possible using Nextcloud. Nextcloud is an open-source platform that offers cloud storage and collaboration tools, making it an ideal choice for both office and home environments. Here’s an overview of how you can set it up:

1. What is Nextcloud?

Nextcloud is a self-hosted cloud platform that allows you to store files, share documents, and collaborate with others. It includes apps for productivity, communication, and team collaboration. Some of the key features include:

– File storage and sharing
– Collaboration tools (calendars, tasks, document editing)
– Communication tools (video and voice calls, chat)
– Screen sharing for meetings and remote support
– End-to-end encryption and strong security controls

2. Core Features for Office or Home Use

– File Sharing: Store your files securely and share them with your team or family members. You can set permissions and use password-protected links for sensitive documents.
– Voice and Video Calling: With the Nextcloud Talk app, you can host voice and video calls directly from your Nextcloud instance, eliminating the need for third-party services.
– Screen Sharing: Perfect for online meetings or remote support, you can share your screen with others during video calls using Nextcloud Talk.
– Collaborative Editing: You can edit documents collaboratively using integrated apps like OnlyOffice or Collabora Online.

3. How to Set It Up

Step 1: Choose Your Hosting Environment

– Self-hosted: You can set up Nextcloud on your own hardware, such as a server at home or in the office. This gives you full control but requires some technical know-how.
– Cloud VPS: If you prefer a managed solution, you can rent a VPS from providers like DigitalOcean, Linode, or Hetzner. Install Nextcloud on the VPS to make it accessible from anywhere.

Step 2: Install Nextcloud

– Linux Installation: Install Nextcloud on a Linux server (Ubuntu, Debian, CentOS, etc.). Follow the official installation guide, which includes setting up a web server (Apache or Nginx), database (MySQL or MariaDB), and securing it with HTTPS.
– Docker Installation: If you prefer containerized environments, you can use Docker to install and manage your Nextcloud instance.

Step 3: Configure Nextcloud

– Install Apps: After the basic installation, you can enhance Nextcloud by installing additional apps. For voice and video calls, install the Nextcloud Talk app. For document editing, install OnlyOffice or Collabora Online.
– Security Settings: Configure your security settings, including enabling SSL/TLS for encrypted connections, setting up a firewall, and using strong passwords.

Step 4: Set Up Communication Tools

– Nextcloud Talk: This app allows you to set up voice and video calls as well as screen sharing. You can create chat rooms, invite participants, and start video conferences directly within the Nextcloud interface. For additional functionality like STUN/TURN servers to improve connection reliability, you may need to configure a dedicated server.

Step 5: Customize for Office or Home

For Office Use: Set up group folders for department-specific file sharing, integrate calendars for scheduling, and use Nextcloud Talk for remote meetings and collaboration.
– For Home Use: Use Nextcloud to store family photos, share important documents, and stay connected with voice and video calls.

4. Why Choose Nextcloud?

– Free and Open Source: Nextcloud is free to use, with no licensing fees, and you can customize it according to your needs.
– Data Privacy: By hosting your own cloud, you retain full control over your data and privacy, unlike with third-party services.
– Extensibility: Nextcloud has a large app ecosystem that lets you add features like email integration, project management, password management, and more.

5. Conclusion

Nextcloud provides a powerful platform to create your own cloud service for both personal and business use. Whether you’re looking for a secure file sharing solution, a collaboration tool for your team, or a way to keep your family connected, Nextcloud can meet your needs.
By leveraging the built-in apps like Nextcloud Talk, OnlyOffice, and more, you can create a comprehensive communication and file-sharing platform that rivals commercial services, all while maintaining complete control over your data.

Step 1: Prepare Proxmox Nodes

1. Update and Upgrade Proxmox VE on all nodes:

apt update && apt full-upgrade -y

2. Ensure that all nodes have the same version of Proxmox VE:

pveversion

Step 2: Set Up the Proxmox Cluster

1. Create a new cluster on the first node:
   • pvecm create my-cluster
2. Add the other nodes to the cluster:
   • pvecm add <IP_of_first_node>
3. Verify the cluster status:
   • pvecm status

Step 3: Install Ceph on Proxmox Nodes

1. Install Ceph packages on all nodes:

install ceph ceph-mgr -y

Step 4: Create the Ceph Cluster

1. Initialize the Ceph cluster on the first node:
   • pveceph init --network <cluster_network>
2. Create the manager daemon on the first node:
   • pveceph createmgr

Step 5: Add OSDs (Object Storage Daemons)

1. Prepare disks on each node for Ceph OSDs:
   • pveceph createosd /dev/sdX
2. Repeat the process for each node and disk.

Step 6: Create Ceph Pools

1. Create a Ceph pool for VM storage:
   • pveceph pool create mypool 128

Step 7: Configure Proxmox to Use Ceph Storage

1. Add the Ceph storage to Proxmox:
   • Navigate to Datacenter > Storage > Add > RBD.
   • Enter the required details like ID, Pool, and Monitor hosts.
   • Save the configuration.

Step 8: Enable HA (High Availability)

1. Configure HA on Proxmox:
   • Navigate to Datacenter > HA.
   • Add resources (VMs or containers) to the HA manager.
   • Configure the HA policy and set desired node priorities.

Step 9: Testing High Availability

1. Simulate node failure: Power off one of the nodes and observe how the VMs or containers are automatically migrated to other nodes.

Step 10: Monitoring and Maintenance

1. Use the Proxmox and Ceph dashboards to monitor the health of your cluster.
2. Regularly update all nodes to ensure stability and security.

Optional: Additional Ceph Configuration

1. Add Ceph Monitors for redundancy:bashKodu kopyalapveceph createmon
2. Add more Ceph MDS (Metadata Servers) if using CephFS:bashKodu kopyalapveceph createmds
3. Tune Ceph settings for performance and reliability based on your specific needs.

By following these steps, you will have a robust Proxmox VE and Ceph high availability setup, ensuring that your VMs and containers remain highly available even in the event of hardware failures.

1. Downloading Free FortiGate VM

Fortinet offers a free version of FortiGate VM for various hypervisors including VMware, Hyper-V, KVM, and more. Follow these steps to download it:

1. Visit the Fortinet Support Portal:
   • Go to Fortinet Support.
   • Log in or create a new account if you don’t have one.
2. Download the FortiGate VM:
   • Navigate to the “Download” section.
   • Select “VM Images” and choose the appropriate hypervisor (e.g., VMware ESXi, Microsoft Hyper-V, etc.).
   • Download the FortiGate VM package.

2. Deploying FortiGate VM on Your Hypervisor

The deployment process may vary slightly depending on your hypervisor. Below are steps for VMware ESXi:

1. Deploy OVF Template:
   • Open your VMware vSphere Client.
   • Right-click on your desired host or cluster and select “Deploy OVF Template.”
   • Follow the wizard, selecting the downloaded FortiGate VM OVF file.
   • Configure the VM settings (name, datastore, network mapping, etc.).
   • Finish the deployment process.
2. Power On the VM:
   • Once the deployment is complete, power on the FortiGate VM.

3. Initial Configuration

1. Access the FortiGate Console:
   • Use the vSphere Client to open the console of the FortiGate VM.
   • The initial login credentials are usually admin for the username and a blank password.
2. Set the Password:
   • You will be prompted to set a new password for the admin user.
3. Configure the Management Interface:
   • Assign an IP address to the management interface.
   • Example commands:

config system interface
edit port1
set ip 192.168.1.99/24
set allowaccess http https ping ssh
next
end

1. Access the Web Interface:
   • Open a web browser and navigate to https://<management-ip>.
   • Log in with the admin credentials.

4. Basic Setup via Web Interface

1. System Settings:
   • Navigate to System > Settings.
   • Set the hostname, time zone, and DNS servers.
2. Network Configuration:
   • Configure additional interfaces if needed under Network > Interfaces.
   • Create VLANs, set up DHCP, etc.
3. Security Policies:
   • Define security policies to control traffic flow under Policy & Objects > IPv4 Policy.
   • Set source and destination interfaces, addresses, and services.
4. Enable Features:
   • Enable and configure additional features like IPS, Antivirus, Web Filtering, etc., under Security Profiles.

5. Connecting to the Internet

1. WAN Interface Configuration:
   • Configure the WAN interface with the appropriate settings (static IP, DHCP, PPPoE, etc.).
2. Routing:
   • Set up a default route under Network > Static Routes pointing to the WAN gateway.
3. NAT Configuration:
   • Configure NAT settings under Policy & Objects > NAT.

6. Licensing

• The free version of FortiGate VM comes with limited features. For full functionality, you may need to purchase a license and activate it under System > FortiGuard.

1. Cluster Configuration:
   • Nodes: A Proxmox cluster consists of multiple nodes, which are physical servers running Proxmox VE.
   • Networking: Nodes in a Proxmox cluster should be connected to a common network. A private network for internal communication and a public network for client access are typically configured.
   • Shared Storage: Shared storage is crucial for a Proxmox cluster to enable features like live migration and high availability. This can be achieved through technologies like NFS, iSCSI, or Ceph.
2. High Availability (HA):
   • Proxmox VE includes a feature called HA, which ensures that critical VMs are automatically restarted on another node in the event of a node failure.
   • HA relies on fencing mechanisms to isolate a failed node from the cluster and prevent split-brain scenarios. This can be achieved through power fencing (e.g., IPMI, iLO, iDRAC) or network fencing (e.g., switch port blocking).
   • When a node fails, the HA manager on the remaining nodes detects the failure and initiates the restart of the affected VMs on healthy nodes.
3. Corosync and Pacemaker:
   • Proxmox VE uses Corosync as the messaging layer and Pacemaker as the cluster resource manager. These components ensure that cluster nodes can communicate effectively and coordinate resource management.
   • Corosync provides a reliable communication channel between nodes, while Pacemaker manages the resources (VMs, containers, services) in the cluster and ensures they are highly available.
4. Resource Management:
   • Proxmox clusters allow for dynamic resource allocation, allowing VMs and containers to use resources based on demand.
   • Memory and CPU resources can be allocated and adjusted for each VM or container, and live migration allows these resources to be moved between nodes without downtime.
5. Backup and Restore:
   • Proxmox includes backup and restore functionality, allowing administrators to create scheduled backups of VMs and containers.
   • Backups can be stored locally or on remote storage, providing flexibility in backup storage options.
6. Monitoring and Logging:
   • Proxmox provides monitoring and logging capabilities to help administrators track the performance and health of the cluster.
   • The web interface includes dashboards and graphs for monitoring resource usage, as well as logs for tracking cluster events.
7. Updates and Maintenance:
   • Proxmox clusters can be updated and maintained using the web interface or command-line tools. Updates can be applied to individual nodes or the entire cluster.

1. Download Proxmox VE ISO:
   • Go to the Proxmox website (https://www.proxmox.com/) and download the latest Proxmox VE ISO image.
2. Create a Bootable USB Drive:
   • Use a tool like Rufus (https://rufus.ie/) or Etcher (https://www.balena.io/etcher/) to create a bootable USB drive with the Proxmox VE ISO image.
3. Boot from USB Drive:
   • Insert the bootable USB drive into the server where you want to install Proxmox VE.
   • Power on or restart the server and boot from the USB drive. You may need to change the boot order in the BIOS settings to boot from USB.
4. Proxmox VE Installer:
   • Once the server boots from the USB drive, you’ll see the Proxmox VE installer menu.
   • Select “Install Proxmox VE” and press Enter.
5. Select Installation Target:
   • Select the target disk where you want to install Proxmox VE. This will typically be the server’s local disk.
   • You can choose to use the entire disk for Proxmox VE or manually partition the disk.
6. Set Root Password:
   • Set a password for the root user of the Proxmox VE system.
7. Configure Network:
   • Configure the network settings for Proxmox VE. This includes setting the IP address, netmask, gateway, and DNS servers.
8. Begin Installation:
   • Review the installation summary and confirm to begin the installation process.
9. Installation Progress:
   • The installer will copy the necessary files and install Proxmox VE on the selected disk. This may take some time depending on your hardware.
10. Installation Complete:
    • Once the installation is complete, remove the USB drive and reboot the server.
11. Access Proxmox VE Web Interface:
    • Open a web browser on a computer connected to the same network as the Proxmox VE server.
    • Enter the IP address of the Proxmox VE server in the address bar.
    • Log in to the Proxmox VE web interface using the root user and the password you set during installation.
12. Configure Proxmox VE:
    • From the web interface, you can configure additional settings such as storage, networks, and backups.
13. Create VMs and Containers:
    • Use the web interface to create virtual machines (VMs) and containers to run your applications and services.

1. Download pfSense:
   • Go to the pfSense website (https://www.pfsense.org/download/) and download the appropriate installation image for your hardware. Choose between the Community Edition (CE) or pfSense Plus.
2. Create Installation Media:
   • Burn the downloaded image to a CD/DVD or create a bootable USB drive using software like Rufus (for Windows) or dd (for Linux).
3. Boot from Installation Media:
   • Insert the installation media into the computer where you want to install pfSense and boot from it. You may need to change the boot order in the BIOS settings.
4. Install pfSense:
   • Follow the on-screen instructions to install pfSense. You’ll be asked to select the installation mode (e.g., Quick/Easy Install, Custom Install), configure network interfaces, set up disk partitions, and create an admin password.
5. Reboot:
   • Once the installation is complete, remove the installation media and reboot the computer.

Configuration:

1. Initial Setup:
   • After rebooting, pfSense will start up and present you with a console menu.
   • Use the keyboard to select ‘1’ to boot pfSense in multi-user mode.
2. Access the Web Interface:
   • Open a web browser on a computer connected to the same network as pfSense.
   • Enter the IP address of the pfSense firewall in the address bar (default is 192.168.1.1).
   • Log in with the username ‘admin’ and the password you set during installation.
3. Initial Configuration Wizard:
   • The first time you access the web interface, you’ll be guided through the initial configuration wizard.
   • Set the WAN and LAN interfaces, configure the LAN IP address, set the time zone, and configure the admin password.
4. Configure Interfaces:
   • Navigate to ‘Interfaces’ in the web interface to configure additional interfaces if needed (e.g., DMZ, OPT interfaces). Assign interfaces and configure IP addresses.
5. Firewall Rules:
   • Set up firewall rules under ‘Firewall’ > ‘Rules’ to allow or block traffic between interfaces. Configure rules for the WAN, LAN, and any additional interfaces.
6. NAT (Network Address Translation):
   • Configure NAT rules under ‘Firewall’ > ‘NAT’ to translate private IP addresses to public IP addresses. Set up Port Forwarding, 1:1 NAT, or Outbound NAT rules as needed.
7. DHCP Server:
   • If you want pfSense to act as a DHCP server, configure DHCP settings under ‘Services’ > ‘DHCP Server’. Set up the range of IP addresses to lease, DNS servers, and other DHCP options.
8. VPN:
   • Set up VPN connections (e.g., OpenVPN, IPsec) under ‘VPN’ > ‘IPsec’ or ‘OpenVPN’. Configure VPN settings, certificates, and user authentication.
9. Packages:
   • Install additional packages for extra functionality under ‘System’ > ‘Package Manager’. Popular packages include Snort (for Intrusion Detection/Prevention), Squid (for web caching), and HAProxy (for load balancing).
10. Save Configuration:
    • Click on ‘Apply Changes’ to save your configuration.
11. Final Steps:
    • Test your configuration to ensure everything is working as expected.
    • Consider setting up backups of your pfSense configuration under ‘Diagnostics’ > ‘Backup & Restore’.

1. Using cron:

The cron method is convenient for running commands or scripts at startup. The @reboot directive in the crontab allows you to specify tasks to be run when the system starts.

Open the crontab file

crontab -e

Add the following line:

@reboot /path/to/your/script.sh

Save and exit the editor. This ensures that your script will run each time the system reboots.

2. Using rc.local:

The /etc/rc.local file is traditionally used to run commands at the end of the system boot process.

Open the rc.local file

sudo nano /etc/rc.local

Add your command or script just before the exit 0 line:

/path/to/your/script.sh

Save and exit. Make sure the file is executable:

sudo chmod +x /etc/rc.local

This method may not be available on all distributions, as some are moving away from using rc.local in favor of systemd.

3. Using systemd:

Systemd is a modern init system used by many Linux distributions. You can create a systemd service to execute your script at startup.

Create a new service file, for example, /etc/systemd/system/myscript.service:

[Unit]
Description=My Startup Script

[Service]
ExecStart=/path/to/your/script.sh

[Install]
WantedBy=default.target

Reload systemd and enable/start the service:

sudo systemctl daemon-reload
sudo systemctl enable myscript.service
sudo systemctl start myscript.service

This method provides more control and flexibility and is widely used in modern Linux distributions.

4. Using ~/.bashrc or ~/.bash_profile (for user-specific commands):

If you want a command or script to run when a specific user logs in, you can add it to the ~/.bashrc or ~/.bash_profile file.

Open the .bashrc file

nano ~/.bashrc

Add your command or script at the end of the file:

/path/to/your/script.sh

Save and exit the editor. This method is user-specific and will run the script when the user logs in.

Remember to replace /path/to/your/script.sh with the actual path to your script or command in each case. The appropriate method may vary depending on your distribution and system configuration.

Unboxing the HPE DL380 Gen10:

1. Inspect the Package:
   • Carefully inspect the external packaging for any signs of damage.
   • Ensure that the package includes all the components listed in the packing list.
2. Open the Box:
   • Use a box cutter or scissors to carefully open the packaging.
3. Remove Accessories:
   • Take out all the accessories such as power cables, documentation, and any additional components that come with the server.
4. Inspect the Server:
   • Carefully take the server out of the packaging and inspect it for any physical damage.
   • Ensure that all components, including hard drives, are properly seated.
5. Documentation:
   • Review the provided documentation, including the quick start guide and any safety information.

1. iLO Configuration:

a. Physical Connection:

1. Connect to the iLO port on the rear of the server using a network cable.
2. Ensure the iLO port has an IP address on the same network as your management system.

b. Access iLO Web Interface:

1. Open a web browser and enter the iLO IP address.
2. Log in with the default or provided credentials.

c. iLO Configuration:

1. Change the default password for security.
2. Configure network settings as needed.
3. Enable iLO Advanced features if necessary.

1. Accessing Smart Array Configuration Utility:

1. Power on the Server:
   • Ensure all necessary components, including hard drives, are properly installed.
2. Access RAID Configuration:
   • During the server boot process, press the designated key (e.g., F8) to access the Smart Array Configuration Utility.

2. Creating a RAID 6 Array:

1. Select/Create Array:
   • In the Smart Array Configuration Utility, choose an option like “Create Array” or “Manage Arrays.”
2. Select Drives:
   • Choose the physical drives you want to include in the RAID 6 array. There should be at least four drives for RAID 6.
3. Configure RAID Level:
   • Select RAID 6 from the available RAID levels.
4. Set Array Size:
   • Define the size of the RAID array. Keep in mind that RAID 6 requires at least four drives, and usable capacity will be less than the total drive capacity due to the dual parity.
5. Confirm and Save:
   • Review the configuration and confirm to save the RAID 6 array settings.

3. Installing an Operating System:

1. Boot from Installation Media:
   • Insert the installation media for your operating system (e.g., Windows Server, Linux) and boot from it.
2. Select Installation Drive:
   • During the OS installation process, you will be prompted to select the logical drive created by the RAID 6 configuration.
3. Complete OS Installation:
   • Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the operating system installation.

4. Additional RAID 6 Management:

1. RAID Monitoring:
   • After the OS is installed, monitor the RAID status through the HPE Smart Storage Administrator or other management tools provided by HPE.
2. Expand or Modify RAID:
   • If needed, you can later expand the RAID 6 array or modify its configuration through the Smart Storage Administrator.

2. ESXi Installation:

a. Obtain ESXi Installer:

1. Download the ESXi ISO image from the VMware website.

b. Prepare Boot Media:

1. Create a bootable USB drive with the ESXi installer using tools like Rufus or UNetbootin.

c. Install ESXi:

1. Insert the bootable USB drive into the server.
2. Power on the server and boot from the USB drive.

d. ESXi Installation Wizard:

1. Follow the on-screen prompts to install ESXi.
2. Select the installation disk (usually the local storage on your server).

e. Configure ESXi:

1. Set a password for the ESXi host.
2. Configure management network settings (IP address, subnet mask, gateway, DNS).

f. Complete Installation:

1. Allow the ESXi installer to complete the installation process.
2. Reboot the server.

3. Post-Installation ESXi Configuration:

a. Access ESXi Web Interface:

1. Open a web browser and enter the ESXi host IP address.
2. Log in with the credentials you set during installation.

b. Configure Networking:

1. Verify and configure networking settings as needed.

c. License ESXi:

1. Apply a license to your ESXi host if required.

d. Create Datastores:

1. Configure storage settings by creating datastores on your server’s storage.

e. Virtual Machine Management:

1. Create and manage virtual machines through the ESXi web interface or vSphere Client.

f. Monitor and Manage:

1. Monitor the ESXi host health, performance, and other settings through the web interface.

4. Additional iLO Integration:

1. Back in the iLO interface, you can integrate iLO with the ESXi host for enhanced management features.
2. Configure iLO settings to enable remote console access and other management features.