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Step 2: Deploy the Head Node

Updated: December 10, 2012

Applies To: Microsoft HPC Pack 2012

The next step in the deployment of your HPC cluster is to deploy the head node. The following checklist describes the steps involved in deploying the head node.

 

Task Description

2.1. Install Windows Server 2012 on the head node computer

Install an edition of Windows Server 2012 on the computer that will act as the head node.

2.2. Join the head node computer to a domain

Join the computer that will act as the head node to an Active Directory domain.

2.3. Configure a Windows Server 2012 failover cluster to enable high availability of the head node (optional)

If you want to enable your HPC cluster to continue running jobs after a disruption in services on a head node computer, configure a single-site or multi-site file server failover cluster for installation of HPC Pack 2012.

2.4. Install Microsoft HPC Pack 2012 on the head node computer

Install HPC Pack 2012 on the computer that will act as the head node, using the installation media or from a network location.

To deploy the head node of your HPC cluster, you must install an edition of Windows Server 2012 on the computer (or computers) that will act as the head node. For more information about installing Windows Server 2012, including minimum system requirements, see Installing Windows Server 2012.

ImportantImportant
  • Before you install the operating system, you should obtain and install the latest BIOS, firmware, and device drivers for your head node computer from the websites of your hardware vendors.

  • We strongly recommend that you perform a clean installation of Windows Server 2012 before installing HPC Pack 2012. If you want to install HPC Pack 2012 on an existing installation of Windows Server 2012, remove all server roles first, and then follow the procedures in this guide. For procedures to remove role services and server roles by using the Windows Server 2012 Server Manager GUI or command-line tools, see Install or Uninstall Roles, Role Services, or Features.

    ImportantImportant
    HPC Pack 2012 cannot be installed on the head node computer if the Deployment Server role service of the Windows Server 2012 Deployment Services role is already installed.

  • Windows Server 2012 should be installed in one of the following languages that is supported by HPC Pack 2012 on the head node: English, Japanese, or Simplified Chinese.

  • Ensure that the Windows Firewall service is running on the head node. This is necessary so that HPC-specific firewall rules for an HPC cluster can be applied during and after installation of HPC Pack 2012. By default in Windows Server 2012, the Windows Firewall service is running.

For information about the supported operating systems for other HPC cluster node roles, see Step 1: Prepare for Your Deployment, earlier in this guide.

As described in Step 1: Prepare for Your Deployment, the head node must be a member of an Active Directory domain. After you have installed Windows Server 2012 on the head node, manually join the head node to an existing Active Directory domain.

If you want to enable your HPC cluster to continue running jobs after a disruption in services on the head node computer, prepare a single-site or multi-site file server failover cluster for installation of HPC Pack 2012. The failover cluster can consist of from 2 to 64 computers that are running Windows Server 2012 that will provide head node services. For information about the Failover Cluster Manager and links to general failover cluster deployment and operational topics, see Failover Clustering Overview.

The detailed considerations and steps to prepare a file server failover cluster for installation of HPC Pack 2012 are beyond the scope of this guide. The high-level steps to prepare a Windows Server 2012 failover cluster in which you can install HPC Pack 2012 on multiple computers include the following:

  1. Plan the cluster topology to enable either intrasite or intersite failover of head node services, depending on your needs to continue cluster operations in different failure scenarios.

  2. Use hardware that supports failover clusters in Windows Server 2012, install Windows Server 2012 on one or more computers, and then join the computers to the same Active Directory domain.

  3. Configure networks and shared storage for the failover cluster.

  4. Install the Failover Cluster Manager on each computer on which you will install HPC Pack 2012.

  5. Validate the failover cluster configuration. This is required for the failover cluster to be supported by Microsoft.

  6. Create the failover cluster by specifying the computers that you configured.

  7. Ensure that one or more cluster networks are configured to allow communication between the failover cluster nodes.

  8. Configure a highly available file server for installation of the HPC head node services.

    noteNote
    The network name of the clustered file server will be the name used within the HPC cluster to communicate with the head node.

  9. Optionally, create a SQL Server 2012 failover cluster that will be used to store the HPC databases. This step is not required, but it is recommended to avoid creating a single point of failure for the HPC cluster.

For detailed steps to prepare a Windows Server 2012 failover cluster to configure a highly available HPC head node, see Windows HPC Server.

After Windows Server 2012 is installed on the head node computer (or computers), and the head node is joined to an Active Directory domain, install HPC Pack 2012 on the head node.

ImportantImportant
  • To install HPC Pack 2012, you must be logged on with a domain user account that is a member of the Administrators group on the head node computer.

  • Certain installation options, such as configuring the HPC databases that are required for operation of the cluster on remote database servers, require that you to complete preparation steps before you install HPC Pack 2012. For more information, see Step 1: Prepare for Your Deployment, earlier in this guide.

  • Before you install HPC Pack 2012, we recommend that you review Release Notes for Microsoft HPC Pack 2012.

  1. To start the HPC Pack 2012 Installation Wizard on the computer that will act as the head node, run Setup.exe from the HPC Pack 2012 installation media or from a network location.

  2. On the HPC Pack 2012 Setup screen, click New installation or add new features to an existing installation.

  3. In the HPC Pack 2012 Installation Wizard, on the Getting Started page, click Next.

  4. On the Microsoft Software User Agreement page, read or print the software license terms in the license agreement, and accept or reject the terms of that agreement. If you accept the terms, click Next.

  5. On the Select Installation Type page, click Create a new HPC cluster by creating a head node, and then click Next.

  6. If you are installing HPC Pack 2012 on a computer that is a configured in a failover cluster, the Head Node Installation in a Failover Cluster page appears. In Name of clustered instance in the failover cluster, specify the network name of the clustered file server that you created in 2.3. Configure a Windows Server 2012 failover cluster to enable high availability of the head node (optional), earlier in this guide. Then, click Next.

  7. On the Installation Rules page, review the results of the pre-installation tests on your environment. If the Status of an item is Failed, review the information provided on the test and make any necessary configuration changes in your environment. If necessary, to run the tests again, click Rerun, or start the installation of HPC Pack 2012 again. After all the tests pass, click Next.

  8. On the HPC DB Configuration page, select either the head node or a remote server that is running Microsoft SQL Server as the location for each of the five HPC databases. Depending on your selections, you then configure the following settings for each database:

    • The folders for each database and each database log.

    • For each database that is configured on a remote server that is running a supported version of Microsoft SQL Server, the SQL Server connection string and other settings to access the remote database.

    ImportantImportant
    If you choose to install one or more HPC databases on a remote server, the database must already be created and configured for remote access before you can configure settings during the installation of HPC Pack 2012. For more information, see 1.2. Decide if you want to deploy your cluster with remote databases, earlier in this guide.

  9. On the Install Location page, specify locations for the following files and data:

    • The program files for HPC Pack 2012 on the head node.

    • Data on the head node, such as log files and the operating system images that will be deployed to on-premises nodes.

    • A file share on the head node or a network file server for use by the HPC runtimes, including the SOA common data runtime. This file share is automatically configured for read and write access by HPC users, and for full control by HPC administrators. A default storage quota of 25 GB is configured. For more information, including additional steps to configure a remote file share, see Configure the Runtime Data Share.

  10. Follow the remaining steps in the installation wizard to complete the installation of HPC Pack 2012.

  1. To add a head node to an existing failover cluster of HPC Pack 2012 head nodes, on a failover cluster node, run Setup.exe from the HPC Pack 2012 installation media or from a network location.

  2. On the HPC Pack 2012 Setup screen, click Add a new head node to an existing failover cluster.

  3. In the HPC Pack 2012 Installation Wizard, on the Getting Started page, click Next.

  4. On the Microsoft Software User Agreement page, read or print the software license terms in the license agreement, and accept or reject the terms of that agreement. If you accept the terms, click Next.

  5. On the Head Node Installation in a Failover Cluster page, click Next.

  6. Follow the remaining steps in the installation wizard to complete the installation of HPC Pack 2012.

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