Integrating a Compute Expansion Rack

To expand compute capabilities, you can buy a compute expansion rack. Its networking components must be connected to the base rack so the new hardware can be integrated into the hardware administration and data networks. For installation requirements, physical hardware installation information, and cabling details, refer to Optional Compute Expansion Rack in the "Oracle Private Cloud Appliance Installation Guide".

In this section we assume the compute expansion rack has been installed and connected to the Private Cloud Appliance base rack. The compute nodes must be discovered and provisioned before their hardware resources are available for use within compute instances. Unlike standard compute nodes, which are added to the base rack and automatically integrated and prepared for provisioning, the compute nodes in an expansion rack go through a more strictly controlled process.

The compute expansion rack is activated by running a script from one of the management nodes. With precise timing and orchestration based on a static mapping, this script powers on and configures each component in the compute expansion rack. The required ports on the switches are enabled so that all hardware can be discovered and registered in the component database. When the scripted operations are completed, the data and management networks are operational across the interconnected racks. The operating system and additional software are installed on the new nodes, after which they are ready to provision.

Installation and activation of the expansion rack and compute nodes are performed by Oracle. From this point forward, the system treats compute nodes the same way as all other compute nodes. After provisioning, appliance administrators can manage and monitor them from the Service Enclave UI or CLI. See Performing Compute Node Operations.

Caution:

For planned maintenance or upgrade, best practice is to issue a shut down command from the instance OS, then gracefully stop the instance from the Compute Web UI or OCI CLI.