Out of Box Experience

The Out of Box Experience (OOBE) is a utility presented on BrickStor SP console upon the initial boot or before it is licensed. It provides a quick and easy way to view appliance status as well as configure basic settings such as management network.

Once on the OOBE screen you will be presented with current management interface configuration, network status, registration status, HTML5 web access URL, SSL certificate thumbprint and key input options to edit configuration or view system logs.

Use OOBE utility to Configure Management Interface and then follow the Registration guide to license BrickStor SP software for use.

oobe out of box experience menu

Configure Management Interface

BrickStor SP is a Network File System so at least one network interface must be configured before it can be used. OOBE utility provides a quick way to configure management interface. This interface can be used for both managing the appliance as well as accessing underlying data shares.

The appliance does need to be able to reach the Internet in order to complete Online Registration. In order for this to work be sure to configure Default Gateway and DNS.

In the event internet access is not available the appliance can be licensed using Offline Registration process (see Registration guide).

To enter network configuration screen type "C" from the OOBE main screen. From here, several different items can be configured including selecting management interface, IP addresses, default gateway, DNS, VLAN and port aggregation.

oobe out of box experience config

Select Network Interface

Change Management Interface option allows you to select a specific network port to be used as a management interface.

  1. From the main OOBE screen type "C" followed by the Enter key for network configuration screen.

  2. Next, type "1" followed by Enter to select Change Management Interface

  3. You will be presented with a list of physical or virtual interfaces. Enter a number of the desired selection followed by the Enter key.

  4. Next, type "y" and followed by the Enter key to confirm your selection.

  5. Enter new or existing IP address (CIDR format ex: x.x.x.x/x) or leave it blank for DHCP then hit the Enter key.

oobe out of box experience admin0

Configure IP Address

Change IP Address or Address Type option allows you to configure a static IP address, obtain a DHCP address or configure the management interface.

  1. From the main OOBE screen type "C" followed by the Enter key for network configuration screen.

  2. Next, type "2" followed by Enter to select Change IP Address or Address Type.

    oobe out of box experience ip

  3. To configure a static IP address type "1" followed by the Enter key.

    1. Enter an IP address (CIDR format ex: x.x.x.x/x)

  4. For DHCP type "2" followed by the Enter key.

    oobe out of box experience ip static

Option 2 will allow you to obtain a DHCP address. Simply hit "2" and enter and the system will search for a DHCP address.

Default gateway is required for the appliance to communicate to devices behind the router as well as the internet. To set the default gateway for the management interface do the following:

  1. From the main OOBE screen type "C" followed by the Enter key for network configuration screen.

  2. Next, type "3" followed by Enter to select Change Default Gateway.

  3. Then type 1" followed by Enter to change Set Default Gateway.

    oobe out of box experience gateway

  4. Input the default gateway address as IPv4 address x.x.x.x and press the Enter key.

Configure DNS

The fourth option in the main menu will allow you to configure your DNS. From this menu you can add and remove multiple DNS entries.

Configuring DNS allows for adding and removing domain name servers. DNS is required for the appliance to communicate with the Internet as well as being able to join it to the Active Directory (AD) for user authentication.

Add a Name Server

  1. From the main OOBE screen type "C" followed by the Enter key for network configuration screen.

  2. Next, type "4" followed by Enter to select Change DNS.

    oobe out of box experience dns add

  3. Type "1" followed by Enter to select Add DNS Entry.

  4. Input name server IPv4 address (ex: x.x.x.x) and press the Enter key.

To add additional name servers repeat steps 3-4.
Remove a name server

  1. From the main OOBE screen type "C" followed by the Enter key for network configuration screen.

  2. Next, type "4" followed by Enter to select Change DNS.

  3. Type "2" followed by Enter to select Remove DNS Entry.

  4. Type corresponding number for the entry to be removed followed by the Enter key.

    oobe out of box experience dns remove

To remove additional name servers repeat steps 3-4.

Configure VLAN tagging

BrickStor SP allows for setting a VLAN tag for the management interface. This is for the uncommon configurations where BrickStor SP management port is connected to a switch trunk port with management network using a specific VLAN ID.

Add VLAN tag

  1. From the main OOBE screen type "C" followed by the Enter key for network configuration screen.

  2. Next, type "5" followed by Enter to select Change VLAN.

  3. Type "1" to select Add VLAN option.

  4. Next, type the number for the "admin0" interface and confirm your selection.

  5. Finally, input a desired VLAN ID (number between 1-4095) followed by the Enter key.

oobe out of box experience vlan add

Remove VLAN Tag

  1. From the main OOBE screen type "C" followed by the Enter key for network configuration screen.

  2. Next, type "5" followed by Enter to select Change VLAN.

  3. Type "2" to select Remove VLAN option.

  4. Enter a number next to the desired interface followed by the Enter key.

    oobe out of box experience vlan remove

Configure Port Aggregation

BrickStor SP management interface can be configured over two LACP (IEEE 802.3ad) aggregated interfaces.

The aggregate can be setup as "active" or "passive" mode. In "active" mode BrickStor SP will send LACP PDUs to initiate LACP negotiation. In "passive" mode it will listen for PDUs from the switch.

LACP load balancing mode can also be set using "policy" option. Be sure the switch LACP aggregate policy matches to one set on the switch for the best results. Possible policy options are:

L2 - Layer 2 (based on source and destination MAC address)

L3 - Layer 3 (based on source and destination IP address)

L4 - Layer 4 (based on source and destination port)

Create an Aggregate

  1. From the main OOBE screen type "C" followed by the Enter key for network configuration screen.

  2. Next, type "5" followed by Enter to select Change Aggregates.

  3. Type "1" followed by Enter to select Add Aggregate option.

  4. Enter a number next to the interface to be used in an aggregate.

  5. Repeat step #4 to select additional interfaces. When finished with the selection type the number for "Done" to continue.

    oobe out of box experience aggr add2

  6. Input selection for LACP mode "active" or "passive".

  7. Input selection for LACP load balancing policy "L2/L3/L4"

  8. Input aggregate interface name. This is typically "aggr0".

  9. Confirm the creation by typing "y" followed by the Enter.

oobe out of box experience aggr add3

Remove an Aggregate

  1. From the main OOBE screen type "C" followed by the Enter key for network configuration screen.

  2. Next, type "5" followed by Enter to select Change Aggregates.

  3. Type "1" followed by Enter to select Remove Aggregate option.

  4. Type the number for the aggregate interface you wish to remove.

    oobe out of box experience aggr remove

Display System Logs

OOBE utility allows for viewing system event logs. This could come handy for troubleshooting appliance status before it is properly licensed. To view the logs do the following:

  1. From the OOBE main screen enter "L".

  2. Select desired log file to display.

    oobe out of box experience logs

When viewing the log file use up/down arrows and PGUP/PGDN keys to navigate. When finished type "q" to exit.