Overview

VEP4600 is a new Dell computer targeting uCPE and SD-WAN. It is a single socket CPU from Intel Skylake D family with embedded QAT co-encryption processor (8 core above). It comes with 4, 8, and 16 core options. It is a network equipment compatible computer in terms of airflow and front panel mounting.


                                   Fig 1. VEP4600 under the hood indicating various parts



                                                      Fig 2. VEP4600 under the hood

 
                                                            Fig 3. VEP4600 exterior view


                                                       Fig 4. VEP4600 indicating 1G/10G ports


                                                   Fig 5. VEP4600 indicating vni-port numbers

NOTE: Recommended SFP/SFP+: 1G/10G dual-rate Intel SFP/SFP+  [Tested module : AFBR-709DMZ-IN2]


Connecting Laptop to RJ45 Console Port

Follow these steps to connect user laptop (Windows and MacOS) to RJ45 console port:

  1. Use this (https://www.sabrent.com/product/CB-FTDI/usb-2-0-serial-9-pin-db-9-rs-232-adapter-
    cable-6ft-cable/)     USB to serial port converter.

  2. Refer Installing USB to Serial Cable Drivers to install the USB-to-Serial cable drivers in user laptop (Windows OS).

  3. Select Microsoft Windows Device Manager to check for the successful installation of the device drivers.

  4. Run PuTTY (or any similar terminal emulator) and establish a SSH session with the device (VEP4600).

  5. The device has two RJ45 console ports, one for BCM and one for CPU. The one on the left is CPU (refer Fig 3) and the one on the right is BMC console.

    • Login to the BCM console port using these credentials:
      Username: sysadmin
      Password: superuser

    • Login to CPU console port using these credentials:
      Username: root
      Password: calvin
  6. To use PuTTY on Windows VM for MacOS, ensure it has passed this console converter USB device to Windows VM.

    • Go to Fusion USB and Bluetooth configuration menu and select this device.

Installing VersaOS from an USB Stick to VEP4600

Follow these steps to install VersaOS from an USB stick to VEP4600:

  1. Run Rufus (utility that helps format and create bootable USB flash drives) to create the VersaOS ISO file to USB stick.

  2. Configure the Rufus with the details mentioned in the image and click.

  3. Select an ISO file and click Close.

  4. The ISO image (highlighted in the image below)  is uploaded to burn it into the USB stick.

  5. Select the Write in DD Image mode and click OK.

Disabling Hyper-Threading [ALL]

Follow these steps to disable the hyper-threading:

  1. Press F2 to get into BIOS settings.

  2. Select Advanced > Compatibility Support Module Configuration to enable CSM Support and set Boot option filter to Legacy only.

  3. Select Advanced > USB Configuration and enable Legacy USB Support.

  4. Select Socket Configuration > Processor Configuration > Per-Socket Configuration and traverse down to Hyper-Threading [ALL] and select Disable.


Disabling Hyper-Threading For R640XL

Follow these steps to disable the hyper-threading for R640XL:

  1. Press F2 to get into BIOS settings.

  2. Select System Setup > System Setup Main Menu and press enter on System BIOS.

  3. Select System BIOS > System BIOS Settings and press enter on Processor Settings.

  4. Select System BIOS Settings > Processor Settings and disable the Logical Processor.

  5. Click Yes when prompted to Saving Changes.

  6. Select Boot > Boot Option Priorities and select SMI USB DISK 1100 as Boot Option #1.

  7. Press F4 to Save and Exit.

  8. A boot prompt will appear after entering VersaOS/Ubuntu installation menu.

  9. This boot prompting appears automatically when the Legacy Boot and Write in DD Image mode are enabled.
    If an USB stick was burned as ISO image, it will go into grub installation menu and it’s difficult to setup console output to a serial port.

  10. Enter versa-branch-usb at the boot prompt and press enter.

    NOTE: The Backspace and Delete keys do not work when you make any typo errors while entering the string/command. You have to reboot the server and start the process all over again if this happens.

  11. The installation starts now and will reboot again when it completes the installation. Enter into BIOS setup again, take out USB stick and set hard disc as Boot Option #1.

  12. Press F4 to start booting from hard disc.

Installing USB to Serial Cable Drivers

        Follow these steps to install USB to serial cable drivers:

  1. Determine your Operating System—Right click on the MY COMPUTER or COMPUTER (word or icon) to view System Properties.




  2. Explore the CD and select the correct Operating System Folder for your computer

  3. Select Win7 32-bit folder and run the PL2303_Prolific_Vista-332102 setup file for Windows 7 (32‐Bit/64‐Bit).

  4. Click Next.

  5. Accept the license agreement and click Next.

  6. The Driver will Install.

  7. Click Finish.

  8. Please confirm that the cable is fully installed and appears in Device Manager. You will need to access this to modify the COM Port or baud rates. 

  9. Select Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Device Manager or right‐click on the computer in the start menu and select Properties.


  10. At this point the Sabrent Prolific Cable should be installed correctly, with NO ERRORS. If you get an error message such as an exclamation point (!), question mark (?), or Coder Error 10, you may need to skip to the Troubleshooting for Installing USB to Serial Drivers.

  11. Expand the arrow to view details.

  12. Right-click and select Properties.

  13. Specific adjustments may need to be made to work with individual hardware solutions to which you are connecting this cable. You may want to consult the device manufacturer to determine the best settings for their product.

  14. Click Advanced.

  15. Select COM4 and click OK.

Troubleshooting for Installing USB to Serial Drivers

        Follow these steps to troubleshoot while installing USB to serial drivers:

  1. If user get an error message such as an exclamation point (!), question mark (?), or Coder Error 10, most often this indicates a problem with the driver installation and will occur mostly in Windows 64‐bit versions.

  2. If user have prior versions of USB serial converters need to uninstall them. To uninstall the drivers select the Driver Removal Tool which can be found in the Win98_Me folder.

  3. Run the DRemover98_2K file and click OK to uninstall the drivers.

  4. Click Yes when prompted to re-boot the system and remove the serial cable from the USB port.

  5. Return to step 3 to reinstall the drivers correctly.

  6. Drivers can also be removed manually as follows:

    • Go to the listing in Device Manager which shows your error message. In this case it will likely appear in Other Devices (? or !) or under COM ports (Code Error 10).

    • Right-click listing and select Uninstall.

    • Check the box for “Delete the driver...”

    • Go back to DEVICE MANAGER and confirm the listing is no longer there.

    • If this does not work, you need to manually uninstall the old driver with windows command line: pnputil.exe.

  7. If you are still having difficulty with the installation, please determine the issue to take the right steps.

  8. The USB Serial Cable does not appear in Device Manager:

    1. Please try a different USB port, or even a 2nd computer to confirm the issue.

    2. Call SABRENT TECHNICAL SUPPORT, 323‐266‐0911 Monday‐Friday, 9am‐5pm PST.

  9. The USB Serial Cable does appear in Device Manager, but you cannot use your device with it:

    1. Some devices, such as printers, require that you manually “capture” the COM Port you are trying to use. Select Start > Printers & Faxes right‐click on the printer you are connecting to and click Properties. Click Ports tab and check the Virtual printer port for USB port and click OK.

    2. Some devices require more detailed installation steps, so you will need to check with the device manufacturer.

    3. Some devices may not work with any USB converted COM Port and require “real” COM Ports. This is most common in old devices.