Installing the Arista Analytics Node

This chapter describes the installation procedures for the Arista Analytics node on a Dell R440 server. It includes the following sections.

Arista Analytics

Arista Analytics provides single-pane-of-glass monitoring for production visibility, with historical analysis capability based on production network traffic metadata. This information is available on the DANZ Monitoring Fabric (DMF) Controller. Arista Analytics provides a collection of dashboards with visualizations on each dashboard that simplify the analysis of production networks.

The Analytics server runs separately from the DMF Controller, allowing the allocation of adequate disk space and CPU memory without affecting the performance of the DANZ Monitoring Fabric.

Arista Analytics Node Hardware

The Arista Analytics Node is an appliance based on a Dell R440 server running the Arista Analytics server. Running Arista Analytics on a dedicated appliance ensures sufficient hardware resources for good performance. It prevents the Analytics service from affecting other applications on the same device.
  • Two management interfaces (10/100/1000Mb/s)
  • One serial interface (DB-9)
  • One VGA interface
  • Two USB ports
  • Two 10Gb SFP ports
  • Two 10Gb Copper ports
  • One dedicated IDRAC port
The Arista Analytics Node is an enterprise-class, 2-socket, 1-RU rack-mounted hardware appliance designed to deliver the right combination of performance, redundancy, and value in a high-density chassis. (HWA/HWA2).
Figure 1. Arista Analytics Node (HWA/HWA2) Bezel
1 Analytics Node security bezel 3 LCD panel
2 LCD menu buttons    
The following figure illustrates the front panel of the Arista Analytics Node.
Figure 2. Arista Analytics Node (HWA/HWA2) Front Panel
1 System identification button /indicator 6 USB (not supported)
2 Optical drive 7 Information tag
3 Video connector 8 Hard drives Micro
4 USB ports    
5 Power-on indicator / Power button    
The following figure illustrates the rear panel of the Arista Analytics Node.
Figure 3. Arista Analytics Node (HWA/HWA2) Rear Panel
1 Serial connector (Default baud rate 115200) 9 Power supply 2
2 iDRAC Ethernet interface 10 Power supply 1
3 Ethernet connector 1 – Analytics Node management port 1, active (10/100/1000Mb/s) 11 Ethernet connector 2 – Analytics Node management port 2, backup (10/100/1000Mb/s)
4 Ethernet connector 3 – Analytics Node 10GbE SFP+ Collector Interface 1, active 12 USB ports
5 Ethernet connector 4 – Analytics Node 10GbE SFP+ Collector interface 2, backup 13 Video connector
6 Ethernet connector 5 – Not supported 14 System identification button
7 Ethernet connector 6 – Not supported 15 System identification indicator
8 PSU status indicators    

Installation Procedure

 

Complete the following steps to install the Arista Analytics on the Dell R440 appliance.

  1. Rack the Arista Analytics Appliance.
    The appliance interfaces are on the appliance's rear, where the power cord is connected.
  2. Connect the upper leftmost analytics management interface (Gb 1) to the management network.
  3. Log in via the serial port using the admin account name. The baud rate is 115200.
  4. Insert the USB drive with the current software image into the USB port of the Arista Analytics Node Appliance.
  5. Power-cycle the appliance.
    The Boot Manager screen is displayed as shown below.
    F2 = System Setup
    F10 = Lifecycle Controller
    F11 = Boot Manager
    F12 = PXE Boot
    Initializing Serial ATA devices . . .
  6. Press F11 to select Boot Manager to allow booting from USB.
    The Boot Manager main menu is displayed.
    Figure 4. Boot Manager Main Menu
  7. Select One-shot BIOS Boot Menu.
    Figure 5. Boot Menu
  8. Select Disk connected to back USB 2.
  9. When prompted on the system console, type yes to start the installation.
  10. Complete the initial configuration of Arista Analytics.

Upgrading Arista Analytics Node

Before the upgrade, Arista recommends backing up all custom objects. The Arista Analytics User Guide (refer to chapter Backup and Restore) documents the procedure for importing/exporting custom object(s).

Select the following steps for a single-node upgrade.

  1. Copy the ISO image to image://
    analytics-1(config)# copy <HTTP_Link_to_analytics.iso> image://
    Copying image from <HTTP_Link_to_analytics.iso>
    Validating Image Contents: check for expected contents
    Verifying image signature
    Verifying image checksums
    Validating Image Details
    00:01:20: Completed
    Image added: b4ffe
  2. Stage Image:
    analytics-1(config)# upgrade stage
    Upgrade stage will overwrite alternate partition, proceed ("y" or "yes" to continue): yes
    Verifying the integrity of the installation media
    Staging the upgrade to DMF Analytics Node 8.1.0-alpha (analytics/master #935)
    00:04:47: progress: 63% |**********************************->
  3. Launch Upgrade:
    analytics-1(config)# upgrade launch
    Upgrade launch: DMF Analytics Node 8.1.0-alpha (analytics/master #935)
    Upgrade launch: Various cluster members may be rebooted by automation
    Upgrade launch: proceed? ("y" or "yes" to continue): yes
    Upgrade launch: *WARNING* single-controller: upgrade will be non-redundant
    Upgrade launch: non-redundant upgrade ("y" or "yes" to continue): yes
    Upgrade launch: Various cluster members may be rebooted by automation
    Upgrade launch: 07:52:00: Starting Upgrade
    Upgrade launch: 07:52:00: origin version: DMF Analytics Node 8.1.0
    Upgrade launch: 07:52:00: config updates are frozen: upgrade state: begin-upgrade-old-active
    Upgrade launch: 07:52:00: Completed; Ready for reboot
    Upgrade state: current upgrade state: None
    Upgrade launch: Moving boot partition to alternate
    Upgrade launch: Successfully prepared for launch
    None
    00:00:06: Completed

Cluster Upgrades

To upgrade the cluster, use the following steps simultaneously on all 3 or 5 nodes. You must execute upgrade cluster commands from the Active Analytics Node in the cluster.
  1. Copy image:
    analytics-1# copy <HTTP_Link_to_analytics.iso> image://cluster
    analytics-1: Copying image from <HTTP_Link_to_analytics.iso>
    analytics-2: Copying image from <HTTP_Link_to_analytics.iso>
    analytics-3: Copying image from <HTTP_Link_to_analytics.iso>
    analytics-1: Validating Image Contents: check for expected contents
    analytics-1: Verifying image signature
    analytics-1: Verifying image checksums
    analytics-2: Validating Image Contents: check for expected contents
    analytics-2: Verifying image signature
    analytics-2: Verifying image checksums
    analytics-3: Validating Image Contents: check for expected contents
    analytics-3: Verifying image signature
    analytics-3: Verifying image checksums
    analytics-1: Validating Image Details
    analytics-2: Validating Image Details
    analytics-3: Validating Image Details
    00:02:32: Completed
    Image added: b4ffe
  2. Stage Image:
    analytics-1# upgrade cluster stage
    Upgrade stage will overwrite alternate partition, proceed ("y" or "yes" to continue): yes
    analytics-1: Verifying the integrity of the installation media
    analytics-2: Verifying the integrity of the installation media
    analytics-3: Verifying the integrity of the installation media
    analytics-1: Staging the upgrade to DMF Analytics Node 8.2.0 (analytics/dmf-8.2.0 #6)
    analytics-2: Staging the upgrade to DMF Analytics Node 8.2.0 (analytics/dmf-8.2.0 #6)
    analytics-3: Staging the upgrade to DMF Analytics Node 8.2.0 (analytics/dmf-8.2.0 #6)
    00:06:31: Completed
    00:10:44: Completed
    Upgrade stage: info: *analytics-1: This release is: DMF Analytics Node 8.2.0 (analytics/dmf-8.
    ˓!2.0 #6)
    Upgrade stage: info: *analytics-1: Alternate partition Release: DMF Analytics Node 8.2.0
    ˓!(analytics/dmf-8.2.0 #6)
    Upgrade stage: info: *analytics-1: Alternate Partition Formatted
    Upgrade stage: info: *analytics-1: Alternate Partition is: /dev/flvg/root1
    Upgrade stage: info: *analytics-1: All node(s) connected
    Upgrade stage: info: *analytics-1: Alternate partition staged
    Upgrade stage: validation: *analytics-1: Sync interface: bond1/bond0 is up
    Upgrade stage: info: *analytics-1: All Application Validation Checks completed
    Upgrade stage: info: *analytics-1: Ready for upgrade
    Upgrade stage: info: analytics-3: This release is: DMF Analytics Node 8.2.0 (analytics/dmf-8.
    ˓!2.0 #6)
    Upgrade stage: info: analytics-3: Alternate partition Release: DMF Analytics Node 8.2.0
    ˓!(analytics/dmf-8.2.0 #6)
    Upgrade stage: info: analytics-3: Alternate Partition Formatted
    Upgrade stage: info: analytics-3: Alternate Partition is: /dev/flvg/root2
    Upgrade stage: info: analytics-3: All node(s) connected
    Upgrade stage: info: analytics-3: Alternate partition staged
    Upgrade stage: validation: analytics-3: Sync interface: bond1/bond0 is up
    Upgrade stage: info: analytics-3: All Application Validation Checks completed
    Upgrade stage: info: analytics-3: Ready for upgrade
    Upgrade stage: info: analytics-2: This release is: DMF Analytics Node 8.2.0 (analytics/dmf-8.
    ˓!2.0 #6)
    Upgrade stage: info: analytics-2: Alternate partition Release: DMF Analytics Node 8.2.0
    ˓!(analytics/dmf-8.2.0 #6)
    Upgrade stage: info: analytics-2: Alternate Partition Formatted
    Upgrade stage: info: analytics-2: Alternate Partition is: /dev/flvg/root1
    Upgrade stage: info: analytics-2: All node(s) connected
    Upgrade stage: info: analytics-2: Alternate partition staged
    Upgrade stage: validation: analytics-2: Sync interface: bond1/bond0 is up
    Upgrade stage: info: analytics-2: All Application Validation Checks completed
    Upgrade stage: info: analytics-2: Ready for upgrade
  3. Verify image has been staged successfully.
    analytics-1# show cluster boot partition
    # Node name Vol State Upgrade Product Version Build
    -|----------------|-----|------------|---------|------------------|-------|-----|
    1 analytics-1 root1 staged DMF Analytics Node 8.3.0 12
    2 analytics-1 root2 Active, Boot completed DMF Analytics Node 8.2.0 6
    3 analytics-3 root1 Active, Boot completed DMF Analytics Node 8.2.0 6
    4 analytics-3 root2 staged DMF Analytics Node 8.3.0 12
    5 analytics-2 root1 staged DMF Analytics Node 8.3.0 12
    6 analytics-2 root2 Active, Boot completed DMF Analytics Node 8.2.0 6
    analytics-1#
  4. Verify all pre-upgrade launch checks will pass.
    analytics-1# upgrade cluster pre-launch-check
    info: *analytics-1: This release is: DMF Analytics Node 8.2.0 (analytics/dmf-8.2.0 #6)
    info: *analytics-1: Alternate partition Release: DMF Analytics Node 8.2.0 (analytics/dmf-8.2.0 #6)
    info: *analytics-1: Alternate Partition Formatted
    info: *analytics-1: Alternate Partition is: /dev/flvg/root1
    info: *analytics-1: All node(s) connected
    info: *analytics-1: Alternate partition staged
    validation: *analytics-1: Sync interface: bond1/bond0 is up
    info: *analytics-1: All Application Validation Checks completed
    info: *analytics-1: Ready for upgrade
    info: analytics-3: This release is: DMF Analytics Node 8.2.0 (analytics/dmf-8.2.0 #6)
    info: analytics-3: Alternate partition Release: DMF Analytics Node 8.2.0 (analytics/dmf-8.2.0 #6)
    info: analytics-3: Alternate Partition Formatted
    info: analytics-3: Alternate Partition is: /dev/flvg/root2
    info: analytics-3: All node(s) connected
    info: analytics-3: Alternate partition staged
    validation: analytics-3: Sync interface: bond1/bond0 is up
    info: analytics-3: All Application Validation Checks completed
    info: analytics-3: Ready for upgrade
    info: analytics-2: This release is: DMF Analytics Node 8.2.0 (analytics/dmf-8.2.0 #6)
    info: analytics-2: Alternate partition Release: DMF Analytics Node 8.2.0 (analytics/dmf-8.2.0 #6)
    info: analytics-2: Alternate Partition Formatted
    info: analytics-2: Alternate Partition is: /dev/flvg/root1
    info: analytics-2: All node(s) connected
    info: analytics-2: Alternate partition staged
    validation: analytics-2: Sync interface: bond1/bond0 is up
    info: analytics-2: All Application Validation Checks completed
    info: analytics-2: Ready for upgrade
    analytics-1#
  5. Launch upgrade.
    analytics-1# upgrade cluster launch
    Upgrade launch: DMF Analytics Node 8.2.0 (analytics/dmf-8.2.0 #6)
    Upgrade launch: Various cluster members and managed devices may be rebooted by automation
    Upgrade launch: proceed? ("y" or "yes" to continue): yes
    UpgradeProgress: 0 analytics-1: This release is: DMF Analytics Node 8.2.0 (analytics/dmf-8.2.0 #6)
    UpgradeProgress: 1 analytics-1: Alternate partition Release: DMF Analytics Node 8.2.0 (analytics/dmf-8.2.0 #6)
    UpgradeProgress: 2 analytics-1: Alternate Partition Formatted
    UpgradeProgress: 3 analytics-1: Alternate Partition is: /dev/flvg/root1
    UpgradeProgress: 4 analytics-1: All node(s) connected
    UpgradeProgress: 5 analytics-1: Alternate partition staged
    UpgradeProgress: 6 analytics-1: All Application Validation Checks completed
    UpgradeProgress: 7 analytics-1: Upgrade launch: Various cluster members may be rebooted by automation
    UpgradeProgress: 8 analytics-3: This release is: DMF Analytics Node 8.2.0 (analytics/dmf-8.2.0 #6)
    UpgradeProgress: 9 analytics-3: Alternate partition Release: DMF Analytics Node 8.2.0 (analytics/dmf-8.2.0 #6)
    UpgradeProgress: 10 analytics-3: Alternate Partition Formatted
    UpgradeProgress: 11 analytics-3: Alternate Partition is: /dev/flvg/root2
    UpgradeProgress: 12 analytics-3: All node(s) connected
    UpgradeProgress: 13 analytics-3: Alternate partition staged
    UpgradeProgress: 14 analytics-3: All Application Validation Checks completed
    UpgradeProgress: 15 analytics-3: Upgrade launch: Various cluster members may be rebooted by automation
    UpgradeProgress: 16 analytics-3: Upgrade launch: saving running-config as: upgrade-snapshot
    UpgradeProgress: 17 analytics-3: Upgrade launch: saving running-config to file: upgrade-rc
    UpgradeProgress: 18 analytics-2: This release is: DMF Analytics Node 8.2.0 (analytics/dmf-8.2.0 #6)
    UpgradeProgress: 19 analytics-2: Alternate partition Release: DMF Analytics Node 8.2.0 (analytics/dmf-8.2.0 #6)
    UpgradeProgress: 20 analytics-2: Alternate Partition Formatted
    UpgradeProgress: 21 analytics-2: Alternate Partition is: /dev/flvg/root1
    UpgradeProgress: 22 analytics-2: All node(s) connected
    UpgradeProgress: 23 analytics-2: Alternate partition staged
    UpgradeProgress: 24 analytics-1: Upgrade launch: saving running-config as: upgrade-snapshot
    UpgradeProgress: 25 analytics-1: Upgrade launch: saving running-config to file: upgrade-rc
    UpgradeProgress: 26 analytics-2: All Application Validation Checks completed
    UpgradeProgress: 27 analytics-2: Upgrade launch: Various cluster members may be rebooted by automation
    UpgradeProgress: 28 analytics-2: Upgrade launch: saving running-config as: upgrade-snapshot
    UpgradeProgress: 29 analytics-2: Upgrade launch: saving running-config to file: upgrade-rc
    Upgrade launch: Starting Upgrade: async-id 82ajhKaJvWRaK0TDpZZ_MRTCi7QMIUQ6
    Upgrade launch: disconnecting from launch
    Upgrade launch: use: 'show upgrade progress' for progress on this controller
    Upgrade launch: use: 'upgrade abort' to abort upgrade on this controller
    upgrade started id:82ajhKaJvWRaK0TDpZZ_MRTCi7QMIUQ6
    Upgrade launch disconnected from background task
    analytics-1#
    Note: In some cases, if the shard count is too high, the upgrade will not proceed. In such a situation, the following will need to run:
    analytics-1> enable
    analytics-1# debug bash
    ***************************** WARNING ******************************
    Any/All activities within bash mode are UNSUPPORTED
    This is intended ONLY for additional debugging ONLY by Arista TAC.
    Please type "exit" or Ctrl-D to return to the CLI
    ***************************** WARNING ******************************
    admin@analytics-1:~$ nohup /opt/bigswitch/reindex.sh > reindex.log &
    Note: The containers could take 10-20 minutes to come up after upgrade.