Description

This article will cover some of the common questions about the ThinkAgile HX Best recipes.

Applicable Systems

ThinkAgile HX

FAQ

What is a best recipe?

• The Lenovo Best Recipe is a list of software and firmware components that have been tested together for a Lenovo solution. As there are many different software and firmware components and, a large number of possible combinations, the Best Recipe provides users with an effective point of reference.
• Lenovo will not deny support for a system using code not contained in a listed best recipe level.
• If you are using a hypervisor that is not included in any best recipe for the system model, it is an indication that your hypervisor is unsupported on that model.
• If you are using a Nutanix Acropolis Operating System (AOS) version that is not included in any best recipe for the system model, it is an indication that your AOS version is unsupported on that model.

What are the guidelines for AOS updates (patches) and upgrades (new releases)?

• When a new best recipe is released and the AOS version has changed to a newer version within the best recipe, this should be considered the bare minimum set of requirements necessary to avoid known issues with that version of AOS.
• Lenovo recommends applying patches and/or fixes to your AOS version to keep up with known issues.
• Upgrading to a new version of AOS:
• Generally, Lenovo will publish a new version of the best recipe for new major AOS releases.
• Lenovo’s recommendation is to update your firmware/software stack to the versions listed in the same best recipe as your target AOS release.
• Of all the components listed in the best recipe, AOS is the most likely to experience frequent updates.
• Nutanix Support might require users to upgrade to a new version of AOS. If that AOS version has a bare minimum best recipe that is newer than the best recipe currently being used, it is recommended that users update all their components to match the best recipe of the new AOS version.
• For example, if a user is following best recipe version 2 with AOS v5.6.2, and Nutanix then requires an update to AOS v5.10, the user should update their best recipe. For this example, an update to best recipe version 3.4 or higher should be applied, because 3.4 is the minimum version required for AOS v5.10. Later versions of best recipes contain fixes for known issues, thus using later versions ensure better outcomes.

What are the guidelines for hypervisor updates and upgrades?

• Similar to the situation with AOS updates, the first best recipe version to list a new version of hypervisor should be considered the bare minimum set of requirements necessary for the hypervisor to work without known issues.
• Generally speaking, the hypervisor will not be upgraded from one major version to another. Patches will be applied for things like known issues or security vulnerabilities. This should not create any support problems with the best recipe.

Can I step outside the best recipe?

• Depending on the issue at hand, Lenovo Support might request the application of code that is not part of any published best recipe.
• If the latest best recipe is already being used and there is a problem:
• If the issue has a known fix (for example, a new NIC driver), Lenovo Support might request an update to fix the issue.
• If the issue is not known, Lenovo Support could request that you apply a newer piece of code to try to fix the issue. If the problem remains unfixed, they may recommend that you undo the change and go back to the best recipe.
• Generally, known issues would be addressed in a newer version of the best recipe.

Additional Information

• ThinkAgile HX - Best Recipes