PowerEdge: MX7000 How to Define a Backup Lead Chassis

Overview:
In an MX7000 multichassis management (MCM) group, a backup lead chassis may be configured for chassis group replication from the lead chassis in the group. The purpose of defining a backup lead chassis is for redundancy. If there are issues with the lead chassis in the group, the backup lead can be manually promoted to become the lead chassis. This ensures that chassis configuration and settings within the MCM group are not lost, and transfers to the backup lead chassis.

Steps on how to define a backup lead chassis:

1. Log in to the lead chassis with an account that has Chassis Administrator privileges.
2. On the Home page, select Actions > Designate Backup Lead (prior to OME-M firmware version 2.00.00, you must select Group Configuration > Edit Backup Lead Settings).

Figure 1: Designate a backup lead chassis.

3. A dialog box opens to allow you to assign a backup lead chassis.

Figure 2: Edit Backup Lead Settings.

4. From this same page, you can configure a virtual IP (VIP) for the chassis group. The purpose of a VIP is to allow for the use of an IP to access the chassis group, regardless of which chassis is the lead. For example, if there is a requirement to promote the backup lead chassis to the lead role, with a VIP configured you do not have to use the backup lead's IP address to access OpenManage Enterprise Modular (OME-M).

Figure 3: Virtual IP Configuration Screen

5. The job may be monitored for progress by selecting Monitor > Jobs.

Figure 4: OME-M Job Monitoring Screen

6. Once the job is complete, go to Home. The newly designated backup lead shows as a question mark for Backup Lead Status. Once the lead chassis has replicated its configuration to the backup lead chassis, the Backup Lead Status displays a green checkmark.

Figure 5: Backup Lead Sync Status Showing Green.