Phase 03: OS Configuration

DOCUMENT CATEGORY: Runbook
SCOPE: Post-installation OS configuration
PURPOSE: Prepare nodes for Azure Arc registration
MASTER REFERENCE: Microsoft Learn - Prepare Active Directory

Status: Active Estimated Time: 45-60 minutes (all nodes) Last Updated: 2026-01-31

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Overview

This stage configures the Azure Stack HCI operating system on all cluster nodes with the settings required for Azure Local deployment. All steps can be performed remotely once WinRM is enabled.

Objective: Configure the Azure Local operating system on each node with network settings, remote management, and baseline configuration required for cluster deployment.

Tasks:

1. Enable WinRM for PowerShell remote management
2. Enable RDP for graphical remote access
3. Configure static IP addresses on management adapters
4. Disable DHCP on management adapters
5. Configure DNS server addresses
6. Verify DNS client configuration
7. Configure NTP time synchronization
8. Enable ICMP firewall rules for network diagnostics
9. Disable unused network adapters
10. Set node hostnames
11. Clear previous storage configuration (conditional — S2D redeployments only)
12. Install FC HBA drivers (conditional — SAN deployments only)
13. Configure MPIO and vendor MSDSM (conditional — SAN deployments only)
14. Verify SAN LUN presentation (conditional — SAN deployments only)
15. Optional: Run complete combined script (Tasks 02–10)
16. Phase 03 Verification

Validation:

• Remote management operational (WinRM and RDP)
• Static network configuration applied
• DNS resolution functional
• Time synchronization configured
• Nodes accessible and properly named

Outcome: All nodes configured with proper network settings, remote management enabled, and ready for Azure Arc registration (Stage 13).

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Configuration Workflow

flowchart TD
    A[Start: OS Installed] --> B[Enable WinRM]
    B --> C[Enable RDP]
    C --> D[Static IP]
    D --> E[Disable DHCP]
    E --> F[DNS Config]
    F --> G[Verify DNS]
    G --> H[NTP Config]
    H --> I[Enable ICMP]
    I --> J[Disable Unused NICs]
    J --> K[Hostname]
    K --> L[Storage Cleanup T11]
    L --> M{Storage Type?}
    M -->|S2D| N[Combined Script T15]
    M -->|SAN| O[FC HBA Drivers T12]
    O --> P[MPIO & MSDSM T13]
    P --> Q[Verify LUN Presentation T14]
    Q --> N
    N --> R[Phase 03 Verification T16]
    R --> S[Ready for Arc Registration]

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Steps Overview

Step	Description	Time	Applies To
Task 01	Enable WinRM for Remote Management	5 min	All
Task 02	Enable RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol)	5 min	All
Task 03	Configure Static IP Address	10 min	All
Task 04	Disable DHCP on Management Adapter	5 min	All
Task 05	Configure DNS Servers	5 min	All
Task 06	Verify DNS Client Configuration	5 min	All
Task 07	Configure Time Synchronization (NTP)	5 min	All
Task 08	Enable ICMP (Ping)	5 min	All
Task 09	Disable Unused Network Adapters	5 min	All
Task 10	Configure Hostname	5 min	All
Task 11	Clear Previous Storage Configuration	5 min	S2D redeployment
Task 12	Install FC HBA Drivers	15 min	SAN only
Task 13	Configure MPIO & Vendor MSDSM	15 min	SAN only
Task 14	Verify SAN LUN Presentation	10 min	SAN only
Task 15	Complete Combined Script	N/A	Optional
Task 16	Phase 03 Verification	10 min	All

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Prerequisites

Requirement	Description
OS installed	Stage 11 completed
iDRAC access	Console access for initial config
IP planning	Static IPs assigned per node
DNS servers	Enterprise DNS available
NTP server	Time source identified

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Variables from infrastructure.yaml

The following variables are used during OS configuration:

Variable	Description	Example
NODE_XX_IP	Static IP address for each node	192.168.200.11
NODE_XX_NAME	Hostname for each node	azlocal-node01
MANAGEMENT_GATEWAY	Default gateway IP	192.168.200.1
MANAGEMENT_SUBNET_PREFIX	Subnet prefix length	24
DNS_PRIMARY_IP	Primary DNS server IP	192.168.200.2
DNS_SECONDARY_IP	Secondary DNS server IP	192.168.200.3
NTP_SERVER	NTP server IP or hostname	pool.ntp.org

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Network Configuration Reference

Example Node Configuration:

Node	Management IP	Gateway	DNS1	DNS2
NODE01	10.x.x.11	10.x.x.1	10.x.x.2	10.x.x.3
NODE02	10.x.x.12	10.x.x.1	10.x.x.2	10.x.x.3
NODE03	10.x.x.13	10.x.x.1	10.x.x.2	10.x.x.3
NODE04	10.x.x.14	10.x.x.1	10.x.x.2	10.x.x.3

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Automation Options

Manual: Follow each step in sequence.

Automated: Use Task 15: Combined Script for full automation of Tasks 02–10.

SAN deployments: Run Tasks 12–14 after Task 11 before running the combined script.

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Validation Checklist

Check	Required
WinRM responds	✅
RDP accessible	✅
Static IP configured	✅
DNS resolution works	✅
Time synchronized	✅
Hostname correct	✅
FC HBA ports visible (SAN only)	⚙️
MPIO configured (SAN only)	⚙️
Infrastructure LUNs RAW (SAN only)	⚙️

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Next Stage

After completing OS configuration:

All Steps Complete?	Next Action
✅ Yes	Proceed to Phase 04: Arc Registration
❌ No	Complete remaining configuration steps

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References:

• Microsoft Learn - Deploy Azure Stack HCI OS
• Microsoft Learn - Prepare for Deployment