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Table of Contents

Quick Start Guide
Cisco 1105 Hosting Solution Engine
1   Hosting Solution Engine Overview
2   Unpacking the Box
3   Installing and Configuring the Hosting Solution Engine
4   Getting Started with the Hosting Solution Engine
5   Obtaining More Information

Quick Start Guide


Cisco 1105 Hosting Solution Engine


1 Hosting Solution Engine Overview

2 Unpacking the Box

3 Installing and Configuring the Hosting Solution Engine

4 Getting Started with the Hosting Solution Engine

5 Obtaining More Information

1   Hosting Solution Engine Overview

The Cisco Hosting Solution Engine is a hardware-based daily operational solution to monitor and activate a variety of services in Cisco-powered data centers.

The Solution Engine gathers and displays fault and performance information for the Cisco devices that have been configured for monitoring.

When you log on to the Hosting Solution Engine, the device information displayed is based on your user log in.

You have the ability to customize views so that you can easily view the information that is most important to you.

The Hosting Solution Engine has the following major features:

Real-time monitoring for routers, switches, firewalls, and server load balancing devices.

Reports for all devices being monitored, which allows you to track server loads, usage, and other trends. The reports can be printed or exported as HTML.

Customized views, based on your user login, that allow you to view the information that is most critical to you.

Ability to provision and display different types of load balancers, such as Content Services Switch and LocalDirector.

Secure communication for a flexible user base.

This Guide

This quick start guide is designed to help you get your Hosting Solution Engine installed and ready to use as quickly as possible. If you require more comprehensive installation and configuration information, see the Installation and Configuration Guide for the Cisco 1105 Hosting Solution Engine. It is available in PDF format on the Recovery CD.

Supported Browsers

Additional Documentation

2   Unpacking the Box


Warning 

Read the installation instructions before you connect the system to its power source.



Warning 

Only trained and qualified personnel should be allowed to install, replace, or service this equipment.



Warning 

This unit is intended for installation in restricted access areas. A restricted access area is where access can only be gained by service personnel through the use of a special tool, lock and key, or other means of security, and is controlled by the authority responsible for the location.


The Hosting Solution Engine package should include the following:


To install the Hosting Solution Engine, you will need the following:


3   Installing and Configuring the Hosting Solution Engine

Install the system in compliance with your local and national electrical codes.

Installation and Configuration Overview

Table 1   Task List Table

Task  Description  Section 

Install the Hosting Solution Engine.

Install by attaching the chassis to the rack, plugging in the power cord, and attaching the network connection.

Installing the Hosting Solution Engine

Set up your network.

Upgrade your device software and enable SNMP. This is necessary for discovery of network devices.

Setting Up the Network

Configure the Hosting Solution Engine.

Steps include assigning a host and domain name, configuring discovery, and creating a self-signed certificate.

Configuring the Hosting Solution Engine

Configure DNS.

If you are using a DNS server, register the system in Domain Name System (DNS) on the DNS server. Use the system hostname as its DNS name.

Name Resolution

Verify the configuration.

You must verify that the system can communicate with the network.

Verifying the Configuration

Configure the browser.

Enable JavaScript, and set browser to accept all cookies, and change font settings.

Configuring the Browser

Verify HTTP and HTTPS connectivity.

Connect to the system using a Web browser to verify HTTP and HTTPS connectivity.

Verifying HTTP and HTTPS Connectivity

Installing the Hosting Solution Engine


Step 1   Attach the chassis-support brackets.


Step 2   Attach the rack-mount brackets to the rack. Make sure all three bracket holes line up with the holes on the rack.

Step 3   Put the chassis into the rack and tighten the screws.



Caution   

The rack-mount kit is not intended for use as a slide rail system. You must complete installation of the front-mount bracket assembly by securely fastening the chassis into the rack.



Warning 

This product relies on the building's installation for short-circuit (overcurrent) protection. Ensure that a fuse or circuit breaker no larger than 120 VAC, 15A U.S. (240 VAC, 10A outside the U.S.) is used on the phase conductors (all current-carrying conductors).


Step 4   Connect the AC power receptacle to the AC power source with the provided power cable.


Step 5   Plug the network connection into the Ethernet 0 port (the lower port).




Setting Up the Network

This is necessary to enable discovery of the devices on your network. You must configure the network devices you want to monitor so that the Hosting Solution Engine can discover and monitor them. To perform these tasks, use the Command Line Interface (CLI) of the devices.

Table 2   Device Configuration Table

Device Type  Tasks 

All

  • Upgrade your network device software to the supported versions.
  • Enable Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) on the devices you want to manage.

Optional:

  • Enable Cisco Discovery Protocol (CDP).
  • Set unique sysName variable.
  • Configure DNS.

LocalDirector (LD)

  • Set community strings on the LocalDirector.

Use the CLI to set the community strings. For example,

snmp-server community public

  • Enable Telnet.

Use the CLI to enable Telnet. For example,

telnet <Hosting Solution Engine ip> <Hosting Solution Engine mask>

Content Services Switch (CSS)

  • Enable SNMP to allow the Hosting Solution Engine to have SNMP access to the device.

Use the Content Services Switch CLI to enable the SNMP server. For example,

no restrict snmp

  • Set community strings.

Use the CLI to set the community strings. For example,

snmp community public read-only

  • Define the read-write community string on the Content Services Switch.

Use the CLI to define the read-write community string on the Content Services Switch. For example,

snmp community <the community string> read-write

PIX Firewall

  • Enable SNMP to allow the Hosting Solution Engine to have SNMP access to the device.

Use the PIX Firewall CLI to enable the SNMP server. For example,

snmp-server host <HSE IP address>

  • Set community strings.

Use the CLI to set the community strings. For example,

snmp-server community <community string>

Content Switching Module on Catalyst Switches

  • Enable Telnet
  • Enable SNMP.

Use the Catalyst CLI to enable the SNMP server. For example,

snmp-server community public ro

IOS SLB

  • Enable Telnet
  • Enable SNMP.

Use the IOS SLB CLI to enable the SNMP server. For example,

snmp-server community public ro

Routers

  • Enable SNMP to allow the Hosting Solution Engine to have SNMP access to the device.

Use the router's CLI to enable the SNMP server. For example,

enable snmp

  • Set community strings.

Use the CLI to set the community strings. For example,

snmp-server community public ro

Switches

  • Enable SNMP to allow the Hosting Solution Engine to have SNMP access to the device.

Use the switch's CLI to enable the SNMP server. For example,

enable snmp

  • Set community strings.

Use the CLI to set the community strings. For example,

snmp-server community read-only public 

Configuring the Hosting Solution Engine

After you install and plug in the Hosting Solution Engine, you are ready to configure it at a console through the Command Line Interface (CLI).


Step 1   Connect a console to the front console / serial port using the supplied serial cable and, if necessary, the DB-9-to-RJ-45 console adaptor.


Note      When connecting a console to the Hosting Solution Engine, use the console / serial port on the front panel. Do not use the serial port located on the rear panel of the Hosting Solution Engine.

Step 2   Press the power switch to turn on the Hosting Solution Engine.

Step 3   Open a window for the system console, using a terminal emulation program if necessary.

The system begins booting and sends messages to the console window. When the system finishes booting, the localhost: login prompt appears. When the login prompt appears, you can configure the system.

Step 4   Enter setup at the login: prompt, then enter responses to the prompts that appear. The Hosting Solution Engine Setup Program Description Table on page 12 describes how to respond to the prompts.

Press Enter to enter a response and proceed to the next prompt. Press Backspace or Delete to delete characters.

After you enter a response, you cannot edit it again. To change an entered response you must exit the setup program and enter your responses again. You can exit the setup program by pressing Ctrl-c, or by entering no after the final prompt.

Table 3   Hosting Solution Engine Setup Program Description Table

Prompt Response Description Sample Response
login:

Enter setup

setup

host name: 

System hostname.

SolutionEngine

domain name: 

System domain name.

cisco.com

<admin> password: 

Password for admin account.

Default username admin is reserved and cannot be deleted or changed.

Password is case-sensitive and can be between 5 and 20 characters.

Characters you type do not appear on screen.

wq1Cvu2pl

confirm password: 

Reenter password to verify that you typed it correctly.

Characters you type do not appear on screen.

wq1Cvu2pl

eth0 ip address: 

IP address of Ethernet 0 interface.

209.165.200.224

eth0 network mask: 

Network mask of Ethernet 0 interface.

255.255.255.224

default gateway ip address: 

IP address of default router that connects Hosting Solution Engine to network.

209.165.200.224

DNS server ip address: 

IP address of a DNS server that Solution Engine uses for name/address resolution.The setup program does not validate the IP address you enter.

If you are not using a DNS server, see the "Configuring the Hosting Solution Engine Without a DNS Server" section for instructions before proceeding.

209.165.201.1

Would you like to save this configuration? [yes]:

One of the following:

  • Press Enter to accept default. Configuration is saved and system reboots.
  • Type no and press Enter to exit without saving configuration and run setup program again.

Press Enter

Step 5   Answer the next set of prompts to configure the Hosting Solution Engine to discover devices. The Hosting Solution Engine Discovery Configuration Table below describes how to respond to the prompts. If you want to configure the Hosting Solution Engine to discover devices using the GUI, you can skip this part of the configuration by entering no at the first prompt. See the "Discovering the Network" section for details.


Note      Before you discover the network, make sure all the devices you want to monitor are set up correctly.

Table 4   Hosting Solution Engine Discovery Configuration Table

Prompt  Response Description  Sample Response 
Do you want to set up discovery now (y/n)? [Default n]:

Enter yes to configure the Hosting Solution Engine to discover devices. Enter no to skip this procedure. You can initiate discovery through the Web interface at a later time.

yes

Enter list of seed devices [Default 127.0.0.1]:

Enter the IP addresses of the seed devices you want the Solution Engine to discover, with a colon between each address. The default discovers all devices on the network.

LocalDirector, PIX Firewall, and Content Services Switch must be entered as seed devices because they do not support CDP.

209.165.200.224

Enter the network device or range of device addresses [Default *.*.*.*]:

Enter the range of device addresses to be discovered.

The discovery tool uses simple network management protocol to communicate with network devices. This step, along with the next 2 steps, will set up the SNMP community strings used by the Hosting Solution Engine to access the network devices.

209.165.201.[1-30]

Enter the read community string for *.*.*.* [Default Public]:

Enter the read community string for each of the network devices entered.

public

Enter the read/write community string for *.*.*.* [Default Public]:

Enter the read/write community string for each of the network devices entered.

public

Do you want to add more (y/n) [Default n]:

Enter yes to add more devices to be discovered.

no

Select one of the following
1) Discover devices only in these ranges
2) Do not discover devices in these ranges
Enter the number corresponding to the option you have chosen or q to quit [Default q}:

This step combined with the next step provides the filters to define the discovery area.

Enter 1, 2, or q as appropriate. If you enter 1 or 2, in the next step you will be prompted for the ranges. If you enter q, you will skip to the last step.

1

Enter an ip address or range of ip addresses to limit discovery with `:' as delimiter:

Enter a range of devices to limit discovery.

209.165.200.225:

209.165.200.254

Do you want to proceed (y/n) [Default y]:

The Solution Engine displays the information you have entered. Enter yes if the information presented is correct.

yes


Step 6   Answer the next set of prompts to create a self-signed certificate. This certificate will allow you to access the Solution Engine securely, using HTTPS, until you are able to obtain a certificate from a certificate authority (CA). The Self-Signed Certificate Table describes how to respond to the prompts. After you finish responding to these prompts, the Hosting Solution Engine will reboot.


Note      Do not type a period "." at each prompt. If you type "." the certificate will not be generated and you will be prompted to re-enter your information. If you do not wish to answer these questions, press enter at each prompt to generate a functional self-signed certificate.

Table 5   Self-Signed Certificate Table

Prompt  Response Description  Sample Response 
Country Name 

Enter a 2-character code for the country in which you are using the Solution Engine.

US

State or Province Name

Enter the full name of the state or province in which you are using the Solution Engine.

Snake Desert

Locality Name

Enter the city in which you are using the Solution Engine.

Snake Town

Organization Name

Enter the name of the company that owns the Solution Engine.

Snake Oil, LTD.

Organizational Unit

Enter the section of the company that is using the Solution Engine. If this does not apply, enter a period at the prompt.

Webserver Team

Common Name

Enter the fully qualified domain name (FQDN) of the company that owns the Solution Engine.

www.snakeoil.com

Email Address

Enter the e-mail address of the company that owns the Solution Engine.

www@snakeoil.com




Name Resolution

The Hosting Solution Engine resolves hostnames by using a Domain Name System server, or by importing host files using the import CLI command. If you are using a DNS server, register the system in Domain Name System DNS on a DNS server. Use the Solution Engine's hostname as its DNS name. If you plan on using the import command, refer to the Installation and Configuration Guide for the Cisco 1105 Hosting Solution Engine.

The Hosting Solution Engine does not require name resolution, but if it is not used, the following problems are among those that will occur:

Configuring the Hosting Solution Engine Without a DNS Server

If you are not using a DNS server, perform the same steps described in the "Configuring the Hosting Solution Engine" section, with the following exceptions:


Step 1   At the DNS sever ip address: prompt, enter any IP address.

Step 2   After you have finished configuring the Hosting Solution Engine, erase the IP address you entered by entering the following CLI command:

no ip name-server ip-address

where ip-address is the IP address you entered at the DNS sever ip address: prompt. For more information, see the Installation and Configuration Guide for the Cisco 1105 Hosting Solution Engine.



Verifying the Configuration

After configuring the Hosting Solution Engine, verify the configuration. Perform the following steps at the console to confirm that your settings are correct and that the system can communicate with the network:


Step 1   At the system console, enter admin at the login prompt, and log in with the password you created during setup.

Step 2   If you are using a DNS server, enter the following command to verify that the Solution Engine can obtain DNS services from the network:

# nslookup dns-name

where dns-name is the DNS name of a host that is registered in DNS. If the system cannot obtain the IP address of the host from DNS, use the ip name-server command to configure a working DNS server. For more information, see the Installation and Setup Guide for the Cisco 1105 Hosting Solution Engine.

Step 3   Enter the following command to verify that the system can communicate with the network:

# ping ip-address

where ip-address is the IP address of a host that is accessible on the network. A DNS server is a recommended host to ping because it should always be running and accessible.

Step 4   Enter the command show config to verify that the configuration is as you expected.

Step 5   Enter the show clock command to verify that the system time and date are correct in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC).


Note      The system clock is preset to UTC. The system uses only UTC for keeping and displaying the time and date.

Step 6   If the time or date is incorrect, set the correct time and date using the clock command.

Step 7   If your network uses NTP, configure the system to use NTP to set the clock. See the Installation and Setup Guide for the Cisco 1105 Hosting Solution Engine for details.

Step 8   Enter the exit command to log out of the system. You are now finished using the console.



Configuring the Browser

To configure a Web browser, perform the following steps:


Step 1   Make sure the client system is running a supported browser:

Step 2   Enable JavaScript.

Step 3   Configure your browser to accept all cookies.

Step 4   Change the default font to sans serif for improved readability.

See your browser's documentation for information on performing these steps.



Verifying HTTP and HTTPS Connectivity

Connect to the system using a Web browser, and perform the following steps to verify HTTP and HTTPS connectivity:


Step 1   To verify HTTP connectivity, enter the system IP address in a Web browser, followed by :1741 (the default port number).

For example, if the system IP address is 209.165.202.128, enter http://209.165.202.128:1741 .

A login dialog box appears.

Step 2   To verify HTTPS connectivity, enter the system IP address in a web browser, prefixed by https. No port number is needed.

For example, if the system IP address is 209.165.202.128, enter https://209.165.202.128.

A login dialog box appears.

Step 3   Enter the User Name admin and the password you created during setup in the login dialog box.

The system home page appears.



4   Getting Started with the Hosting Solution Engine

There are two parts to getting the Hosting Solution Engine ready for use: setting up and discovering the devices, and enabling other users to use the Hosting Solution Engine. The Hosting Solution Engine (Hosting Solution Engine) automatically discovers Cisco CDP-enabled devices during the initial configuration. To discover your devices, you must add your seed devices, run and verify discovery, and set up network device credentials. After you discover and verify the network devices, you must create Hosting Solution Engine Domains, create Roles, and add Users to allow others access the Hosting Solution Engine. If you configured the Hosting Solution Engine to discover devices during setup, you do not need to add seed devices and run discovery. Use the GUI to verify that your devices were discovered, and configure the device credentials.

Getting Started Overview

Table 6   Getting Started Table

Task  Description  Section 

Add seed devices.

To shorten the initial discovery period, to discover "disconnected" networks, or to discover devices that are not CDP-enabled, you must add seed devices. If you added seed devices during initial setup, skip this step.

Adding Seed Devices

Discover devices.

The Hosting Solution Engine automatically discovers Cisco, CDP-enabled devices every four hours. You can also run discovery manually. If you configured the Hosting Solution Engine to discover devices during setup, skip this step.

Discovering Devices

Verify the discovery.

Verify all the devices you want to monitor have been discovered.

Verifying Device Discovery

Configure devices.

Before you can provision any of your server load balancing devices, you must provide the device credentials.

Setting Up Device Credentials

Set up user accounts.

To allow others to access the Hosting Solution Engine, you must create Hosting Solution Engine domains, create roles, and add users.

Enabling Others to Use the Hosting Solution Engine

Discovering the Network

If you configured the Hosting Solution Engine to discover devices during setup, you only need to verify that your devices were discovered. Continue on to the "Verifying Device Discovery" section for details. If you chose not to configure the Hosting Solution Engine to discover devices at setup, you can do it now using the GUI.

Adding Seed Devices

After you set up your network, add seed devices. For information on setting up your network, see the "Installation and Configuration Overview" section. To add seed devices from the GUI, select Administration>Device Manager. See the online help for details.

By adding a seed device (or set of seed devices), the neighbors of the seed device are discovered using CDP. If the device you want to manage does not support CDP, you must set that device as a seed. If you want the Hosting Solution Engine to discover devices beyond router boundaries, select the Jump Router Boundaries check box. You can specify multiple seed devices to:


Note      Because the Content Services Switch, PIX Firewall, and LocalDirector do not support CDP, you must add them as seed devices.

Discovering Devices

After you add seed devices, the Hosting Solution Engine can discover your devices. The Hosting Solution Engine automatically discovers devices in your network every four hours, however, you can manually discover the network devices at any time. Select Administration>Device Manager, and click Discover. See the online help for details.

Verifying Device Discovery

To verify that all the devices you want to monitor have been discovered, select Administration>Device Manager. The discovered devices will appear in the device management tree.

Setting Up Device Credentials

Before you can provision Content Services Switches, IOS SLBs, Content Switching Modules, and LocalDirectors, you must provide the device credentials. You must also make sure that the SNMP settings on the Hosting Solution Engine correspond to the settings on your devices. After you set up device credentials, run discovery again so that the Hosting Solution Engine can discover services for those devices. Select Administration>Device Manager. See the online help for details.

Enabling Others to Use the Hosting Solution Engine

After you set up the network and make sure your devices have been discovered, configure the Hosting Solution Engine for others to use. You must create Hosting Solution Engine Domains, create Roles, and add Users.

Creating Domains

A domain is a grouping of devices on the network. The Hosting Solution Engine provides three predefined domains:


Note      The predefined domains cannot be modified or deleted.

You can partition the network into logical subgroups to create additional domains. The domains created by users can be modified and deleted. To add domains, select Tiered Access > Domains.

Creating Roles

After you create domains, you can create user roles. A user's role determines which Hosting Solution Engine features that user is allowed to access. The Hosting Solution Engine provides four predefined user roles:


Note      The predefined user roles cannot be deleted, but they can be modified. The System Administrator role, however, cannot be modified or deleted.

To create additional roles with different privileges, select Tiered Access > Roles.

Creating Users

After you create domains and roles, you can create users. You assign domains and roles to users to control the devices and features each user can access. To add users, select Tiered Access > Accounts.

5   Obtaining More Information

The following sections provide sources for obtaining additional information on the Hosting Solution Engine.

Obtaining Documentation

The following sections provide sources for obtaining documentation from Cisco Systems.

World Wide Web

You can access the most current Cisco documentation on the World Wide Web at the following sites:

http://www.cisco.com

http://www-china.cisco.com

http://www-europe.cisco.com

Documentation CD-ROM

Cisco documentation and additional literature are available in a CD-ROM package, which ships with your product. The Documentation CD-ROM is updated monthly and may be more current than printed documentation. The CD-ROM package is available as a single unit or as an annual subscription.

Ordering Documentation

Cisco documentation is available in the following ways:

http://www.cisco.com/cgi-bin/order/order_root.pl

http://www.cisco.com/go/subscription

Documentation Feedback

If you are reading Cisco product documentation on the World Wide Web, you can submit technical comments electronically. Click Feedback in the toolbar and select Documentation. After you complete the form, click Submit to send it to Cisco.

You can e-mail your comments to bug-doc@cisco.com.

To submit your comments by mail, use the response card behind the front cover of your document, or write to the following address:

Attn Document Resource Connection
Cisco Systems, Inc.
170 West Tasman Drive
San Jose, CA 95134-9883

We appreciate your comments.

Obtaining Technical Assistance

Cisco provides Cisco.com as a starting point for all technical assistance. Customers and partners can obtain documentation, troubleshooting tips, and sample configurations from online tools. For Cisco.com registered users, additional troubleshooting tools are available from the TAC website.

Cisco.com

Cisco.com is the foundation of a suite of interactive, networked services that provides immediate, open access to Cisco information and resources at anytime, from anywhere in the world. This highly integrated Internet application is a powerful, easy-to-use tool for doing business with Cisco.

Cisco.com provides a broad range of features and services to help customers and partners streamline business processes and improve productivity. Through Cisco.com, you can find information about Cisco and our networking solutions, services, and programs. In addition, you can resolve technical issues with online technical support, download and test software packages, and order Cisco learning materials and merchandise. Valuable online skill assessment, training, and certification programs are also available.

Customers and partners can self-register on Cisco.com to obtain additional personalized information and services. Registered users can order products, check on the status of an order, access technical support, and view benefits specific to their relationships with Cisco.

To access Cisco.com, go to the following website:

http://www.cisco.com

Technical Assistance Center

The Cisco TAC website is available to all customers who need technical assistance with a Cisco product or technology that is under warranty or covered by a maintenance contract.

Contacting TAC by Using the Cisco TAC Website

If you have a priority level 3 (P3) or priority level 4 (P4) problem, contact TAC by going to the TAC website:

http://www.cisco.com/tac

P3 and P4 level problems are defined as follows:

In each of the above cases, use the Cisco TAC website to quickly find answers to your questions.

To register for Cisco.com, go to the following website:

http://www.cisco.com/register/

If you cannot resolve your technical issue by using the TAC online resources, Cisco.com registered users can open a case online by using the TAC Case Open tool at the following website:

http://www.cisco.com/tac/caseopen

Contacting TAC by Telephone

If you have a priority level 1 (P1) or priority level 2 (P2) problem, contact TAC by telephone and immediately open a case. To obtain a directory of toll-free numbers for your country, go to the following website:

http://www.cisco.com/warp/public/687/Directory/DirTAC.shtml

P1 and P2 level problems are defined as follows:


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Posted: Wed Nov 5 12:33:44 PST 2003
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