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Install Guide (MANTLE Enterprise)

Requirements

This section outlines the minimum hardware, software, and network requirements needed to deploy and run MANTLE Enterprise. Ensure your system meets or exceeds these specifications for optimal performance and compatibility.

  • CPU: 4-core processor (Intel/AMD)
  • Memory: 8GB RAM
  • Storage: 500GB SSD/HDD
  • Network Interface: At least one physical Ethernet port
  • Virtualization Software:
    • VMware Workstation Pro 16+ (Windows/Linux)
    • VMware ESXi (or vCSA for managing multiple ESXi hosts)
  • Management Network: VMnet0 (Host Only) or an equivalent VLAN/port group in ESXi
  • DHCP / PXE Boot Requirements: Consult the Troubleshooting section if relevant
  • Internet Access (Optional): Not required for operation

Installation

MANTLE Enterprise can be deployed on various VMware products. Select the tab below corresponding to VMware Workstation or VMware ESXi/vCSA.

Prerequisites

Before proceeding, ensure the following prerequisites are met:

  • MANTLE Enterprise OVA File – Verify you have access to the mantle_enterprise.ova file (or similarly named).
  • VMware Workstation 16+ – Confirm it’s installed and up-to-date.

Import the MANTLE Enterprise OVA

graph LR
    A("Install VMware Workstation") --> B("Import mantle_enterprise.ova")

  1. Open VMware Workstation and click Open a Virtual Machine.
    img

  2. Select the mantle_enterprise.ova file and click Open.
    img

  3. Enter a name for the VM and choose a storage location. Then click Import.
    img

  4. Wait a few minutes for the import process to complete.
    img

Configuring the Virtual Network Editor

graph LR
    A("Install VMware Workstation") --> B("Import OVA")
    B --> C("Configure Virtual Network Editor")

  1. Go to Edit → Virtual Network Editor.
    img

  2. Click Change Settings for administrative access.
    img

  3. Configure VMnet0 (Management Interface):

  4. Host-only or Bridged (depending on your environment)
  5. Connect a host virtual adapter to this network
  6. Use local DHCP service (if Host-Only and dynamic IP is desired)
  7. Subnet IP – leave default or specify a subnet.
    img

Click Apply → OK to confirm.

Configuring the Virtual Machine Settings

graph LR
    A("Install VMware Workstation") --> B("Import OVA")
    B --> C("Configure Virtual Network Editor")
    C --> D["Configure VM Settings"]

  1. Select Edit virtual machine settings.
    img

  2. Under Hardware, go to Memory and allocate 4–8GB.
    img

  3. Under Processors:

  4. Number of Processors: 2

  5. Cores per Processor: 1
    img

  6. For Network Adapter:

  7. Ensure it’s connected to VMnet0 (Host-Only or Bridged) as configured above.
    img

  8. Click OK to save changes.

Powering On the VM and Initial Setup

graph LR
    A("Install VMware Workstation") --> B("Import OVA")
    B --> C("Configure Virtual Network Editor")
    C --> D["Configure VM Settings"]
    D --> E["Power On VM"]

  1. Click Power on this virtual machine.
    img

  2. On the RHEL login page, use mantle as the username.
    img

  3. Enter the default password (e.g., M@NtleUser123!@#) and click Sign In.
    img

  4. When prompted, re-enter the default password and then create a new, compliant password.
    img

Enterprise / RHEL Password Requirements

  1. Minimum Length: 15+ characters
  2. Complexity: Must include uppercase, lowercase, digit, special char
  3. No Repeats: 3+ identical consecutive chars not allowed
  4. Expiration: Password changes required every 60 days
  5. Lockout: 3 failed attempts → locked for 15 mins

  1. After setting the new password, click Sign In again to confirm.
    img

  2. Retype your new password. Click Sign In.
    img

Getting the Mantle IP

graph LR
    A("Install VMware Workstation") --> B("Import Mantle.ova")
    B --> C("Configure Virtual Network Editor")
    C --> D["Configure VM Settings"]
    D --> E["Power On VM"]
    E --> F["Get Mantle IP"]

  1. From the RHEL desktop, click the network icon → Settings.
    img

  2. Select Ethernet (eth0) → click the Gear icon.
    img

  3. The IPv4 address is displayed. Use this IP to access Mantle via a web browser.
    img

vSphere and vCSA Note

While these steps focus on VMware ESXi, deploying the MANTLE Enterprise OVA on vCSA is nearly the same through the vSphere Web Client.
Refer to VMware’s official documentation for multi-host or advanced setups.

graph LR
    A("Log in to ESXi Host Client")
  1. Log in to the ESXi Host Client and open Virtual Machines.
    img
graph LR
    A("Log in to ESXi Host Client") --> B("Create / Register VM")
  1. Create / Register VM
  2. Click Create / Register VM to begin.
    img
graph LR
    A("Log in to ESXi Host Client") --> B("Create / Register VM")
    B --> C("Select Creation Type")
  1. Select Creation Type
  2. Choose Deploy a virtual machine from an OVF or OVA file
  3. Click Next
    img
graph LR
    A("Log in to ESXi Host Client") --> B("Create / Register VM")
    B --> C("Select Creation Type")
    C --> D("Select OVF & VMDK Files")
  1. Select OVF and VMDK Files
  2. Name the VM (e.g., “MANTLE Enterprise”).
  3. OVF/OVA: Upload mantle_enterprise.ova.
  4. Click Next
    img
graph LR
    A("Log in to ESXi Host Client") --> B("Create / Register VM")
    B --> C("Select Creation Type")
    C --> D("Select OVF & VMDK Files")
    D --> E("Select Storage")
  1. Select Storage
  2. Pick the datastore with enough capacity
  3. Click Next
    img
graph LR
    A("Log in to ESXi Host Client") --> B("Create / Register VM")
    B --> C("Select Creation Type")
    C --> D("Select OVF & VMDK Files")
    D --> E("Select Storage")
    E --> F("Deployment Options")
  1. Deployment Options
  2. Network Mappings: Assign the VM’s NIC to the correct port group (e.g., MGMT).
  3. Disk Provisioning: Thin or Thick as needed.
  4. Power on automatically: If you want it to start right after deployment.
    img
graph LR
    A("Log in to ESXi Host Client") --> B("Create / Register VM")
    B --> C("Select Creation Type")
    C --> D("Select OVF & VMDK Files")
    D --> E("Select Storage")
    E --> F("Deployment Options")
    F --> G("Ready to Complete")
  1. Ready to Complete
  2. Review your settings
  3. Click Finish
    Don’t refresh the browser while it deploys.
    img
graph LR
    A("Log in to ESXi Host Client") --> B("Create / Register VM")
    B --> C("Select Creation Type")
    C --> D("Select OVF & VMDK Files")
    D --> E("Select Storage")
    E --> F("Deployment Options")
    F --> G("Ready to Complete")
    G --> H("Edit VM Settings")
  1. Edit Settings (Optional)
  2. Once deployed, select the VM → Actions → Edit Settings to adjust CPU, Memory, or disk.
    img

Initial Setup After Power On

Once the VM is powered on, the same initial steps apply as with VMware Workstation: - Log in with mantle / M@NtleUser123!@# (or whichever default password you have).
- Change the password per the security requirements.
- Obtain the IP address from the RHEL desktop’s Network Settings.
- Access Mantle’s web UI via https://[MANTLE_ENTERPRISE_IP]/.
- Upload your license key and change the admin password.

MANTLE Enterprise is then fully installed and ready for use.