QLogic 7104-3M-CABLE User Manual

5–Software Installation

Install QLogic OFED Using Rocks

IB0056101-00  H

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A

Rocks is a distribution designed for managing clusters from the San Diego 
Supercomputer Center (SDSC).   

Rocks is a way to manage the kickstart automated installation method created by 
Red Hat. By using the Rocks conventions, the installation process can be 
automated for clusters of any size. A roll is an extension to the Rocks base 
distribution that supports different cluster types or provides extra functionality.

QLogic extends the normal Rocks compute node appliance xml file by adding two 
functions: one function installs the InfiniPath software, and the other function 
loads the drivers after kickstart reboots the machine.

Rocks is based on a set of kickstart graphs (xml files) that tell the frontend node 
which pieces need to be installed on which type of compute nodes. The frontend 
node installs from local RPMs, then the compute nodes collect the RPMs from the 
frontend. First, install a Rocks frontend node if you do not already have one.

To install a Rocks frontend node:

1.

From the QLogic web site (

), click the Downloads tab. 

Locate your adapter model.

2.

Download the InfiniPath roll (.iso image) for your distribution and burn 
the .iso image to a CD.

3.

Download the required rolls from the Rocks web site: 

a.

Follow the links to get the following .iso images that can be burned to a 
CD or DVD:

„

Kernel/Boot Roll

„

Core Roll

„

OS Roll (disk 1 & 2)

or
„

Boot, Core, OS Roll DVD

Using the override may not result in a buildable or working driver if your 
distribution/kernel combination is not similar enough to a tested and 
supported distribution/kernel pair.