OCPv4 UPI HelperNode

Description:The main point of the helpernode is to simplify the prerequisites needed for a Bare Metal UPI install

In this live stream, Christian Hernandez will walk through what helpernode is, how to get the helpernode up and running, and getting and OpenShift 4 cluster stood up with helpernode's assistance.

https://github.com/RedHatOfficial/ocp4-helpernode

Transcript

1. OCPv4 UPI HelperNode And what it can do for you!
2. Challenge - You need more prereqs with 4.x • DNS entries ◦ Wildcard ◦ Forward/Reverse records for hosts ◦ SRV records (no longer needed for 4.4+) • Load Balancer ◦ Internal API ◦ External API ◦ Machine Config API ◦ Router ▪ 80/443 • Web Server ◦ Used during install ◦ Host RHCOS bios files ◦ Host ignition files • DHCP ◦ Docs State Static IPs aren’t supported ▪ It is supported ◦ “Static DHCP” is recommended ◦ It’s, in fact, very easy ▪ But not very common with customers. • PXE ◦ You can boot via ISO ◦ If using Virtualization; you can use “HTTP Install” ▪ Might be useful for customers that add/remove hosts often • Install host ◦ AKA a “bastion” server
3. HelperNode Playbook to the rescue! • Meant to help you with the install ◦ Doesn’t do the install for you • Takes care of a LOT of he prereqs ◦ DNS ◦ DHCP ◦ PXE/TFTP ◦ HAProxy ◦ HTTPD ◦ Bastion Host ◦ Client Tools ◦ Podman • Has two “modes” ◦ Standard/DHCP (default) ◦ Static IPs • Built/tested on Libvirt ◦ Libvirt NOT required ◦ Agnostic to the environment • Keep relatively up to date ◦ Standardizing on every other Z stream ▪ 4.y.z ◦ After install just click the “update” button :) • Meant for “lab” environments ◦ You CAN use it for customers to do POCs ◦ Probably will never be supported by RH • Built on CentOS 7/8 ◦ Should work on RHEL7/8 https://github.com/RedHatOfficial/ocp4-helpernode
4. MASTER WORKER NETWORK You Your Laptop • DNS Server • Load Balancer • Web Server • Bastion Host • DHCP • PXE • TFTP • NFSv4 Helper DNS DNS Delegation (Optional) ??? ??? ??? Other, ancillary, services/servers not needed for the HelperNode. That you may have in your environment MASTER MASTER WORKER WORKER 3 Masters Minimum of 2 Workers
5. Demo Environment Me My Laptop Virt Server • Virt Server is running Libvirt ◦ With virt-* tools installed • 8vCPUs ◦ But I suggest 12 vCPUs • 64 GB RAM • 1TB HD ◦ store virtual Machines • RHEL 8 64bit • VNC Viewer HIGHLY recommended SSH/VNC INSIDE THE VIRT SERVER NAT Internet Virtual Network “openshift4” N M M M N H 192.168.7.0/24
6. Anyway...on with the install!
7. OpenShift 4 install workflow (regardless of IPI/UPI)
8. Disconnected
9. WORKER MASTER MASTER MASTER WORKER WORKER REGISTRY LB ??? ??? ??? Ancillary Services: DNS DHCP Apache ... Restricted network Connected Network (Full Internet Access) OpenShift Cluster Two Network Interfaces Quay and other Red Hat Services Internet Registry will mirror repos from Red Hat and serve them