Locally Install an Original System Image on a Hardware Appliance

For disaster recovery, you can use the following procedure to install an RSA Authentication Manager 8.2 or later system image from a DVD on a hardware appliance. This operation removes all data, logs, and settings that are associated with an Authentication Manager instance. Use this procedure if you can directly access the physical hardware.

For a list of the Authentication Manager versions that you can restore, see Installable System Images for Hardware Appliance Models .

You can only perform this procedure on the hardware appliance. This operation is not supported on the virtual appliance.

Before you begin

  • (Optional) If the Operations Console is available for the primary or replica instance that is configured on the hardware appliance, you can download a text file that contains the current network settings:

    1. On the primary or replica instance, log on to the Operations Console.

    2. Click Administration > Network > Appliance Network Settings.

    3. Under Download Network Settings, click Download network settings.

    4. Save the FQDN_backupOfNetworkSettings.txt file in an external secure location.

      You can refer to this file when you configure the network settings on the restored appliance.

  • Transfer any files that you want to save, such as log files or backup files, from the hardware appliance to an external, secure location.

    To log on to the appliance operating system, you must use the rsaadmin operating system password, and you must enable SSH. For instructions, see Enable Secure Shell on the Appliance.

  • Download the required ISO file for your version of Authentication Manager, such as rsa-am-hardware-appliance-8.7.1.0.0.iso from https://my.rsa.com, and save the ISO file to a location where you can burn the file onto a DVD.

  • On a DVD, burn the ISO file as a bootable disk image. To do this, you must use disc burning software that allows you to burn disk images. For example, on a computer running Windows 7 or later, you can use the Windows Disc Image Burner.

  • Make sure that you have a keyboard and monitor for the appliance.

Procedure

  1. Connect a keyboard and monitor to the appliance.

  2. Connect the power cord to the appliance and, if necessary, power on the appliance.

  3. When a warning message prompts you to insert the media with the image of Authentication Manager, insert the DVD that you burned with the ISO file, and press CTRL + ALT + DELETE to reboot the hardware appliance.

    If the appliance does not boot from the DVD, you must access the appliance BIOS and select the option that allows you to boot from the DVD Drive.

  4. In the installer boot menu, use the down-arrow key to select Install RSA Authentication Manager, and press ENTER.

    RSA Authentication Manager installs.

  5. After the installation has completed, the DVD is ejected from the appliance and you can remove it.

  6. When prompted whether you want to shut down the appliance, do one of the following:

    • To shut down the appliance, type yes, and press ENTER.

    • To keep the appliance running for the appliance set up process, type no, and press ENTER.

After you finish

Deploy the hardware appliance and perform Quick Setup to configure the appliance as a primary or replica instance. For instructions, see the RSA Authentication Manager Setup and Configuration Guide.

Related Concepts

Hardware Appliance System Image Installation

Related Tasks

Remotely Install the Original System Image on a RSA Hardware Appliance