COMPOSABLE INFRASTRUCTURE: MX MODULAR PLATFORM INSTALLATION AND ADMINISTRATION

About the Course

This three-day technical intensive provides the foundational knowledge required to deploy and manage the MX7000, a “Kinetic Infrastructure” platform designed for the modern software-defined data center. Unlike traditional blade chassis, this modular system utilizes a disaggregated architecture that allows compute, storage, and networking resources to be shared across a resilient, midplane-free fabric. This course empowers IT professionals to transform rigid hardware into fluid resource pools that scale dynamically with workload demands.

Participants will gain hands-on experience with OpenManage Enterprise – Modular (OME-M), the unified management controller embedded within the chassis. The training focuses on critical implementation tasks, including multi-chassis networking, SmartFabric automation, and the orchestration of internal SAS storage. By mastering the unique “no-midplane” design and scalable fabric architecture, students will be prepared to minimize latency and future-proof their data center infrastructure.

Audience Profile

This course is intended for:

• System Administrators managing modular or blade-based server environments.

• Network Engineers tasked with configuring high-performance fabrics and SmartFabric services.

• Implementation Specialists responsible for the physical installation and initial setup of modular systems.

• Support Professionals who provide advanced hardware and connectivity troubleshooting.

Learning Objectives

Chassis Architecture and Physical Installation

• Identify the mechanical design and component placement of the 7U modular enclosure.

• Execute professional rack-mounting, cabling, and power-on sequences following industry best practices.

• Explain the cooling and power redundancy subsystems, including grid redundancy configurations.

Modular Management and Governance

• Perform initial out-of-box setup using the OpenManage Enterprise – Modular (OME-M) interface.

• Configure Management Module (MM) redundancy and establish multi-chassis management groups.

• Utilize integrated remote access controllers (iDRAC) and lifecycle management tools for agent-free server management and OS deployment.

Scalable Fabric and Networking

• Differentiate between SmartFabric Mode (automated, GUI-driven) and Full Switch Mode (CLI-driven, granular control).

• Configure the fabric subsystem, including I/O modules, optics, and high-speed cabling.

• Implement Scalable Fabric Architecture to interconnect up to 10 chassis into a single management domain.

Storage and Workload Implementation

• Orchestrate internal storage by mapping storage sleds to specific compute nodes via the SAS fabric.

• Perform firmware updates across the entire modular ecosystem using management catalogs.

• Execute comprehensive hardware and network troubleshooting using system logs and diagnostic tools.

Prerequisites

• Required: Completion of foundational “Server Concepts” training.

• Technical: A solid understanding of Ethernet networking, IP addressing, and basic storage concepts (RAID, SAS).

• Experience: Familiarity with rack-based server hardware and operating system installation.