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Install Guide

Requirements

This section outlines the minimum hardware, software, and network requirements needed to deploy and run Mantle. Ensuring your system meets or exceeds these specifications will help maintain optimal performance and compatibility.

  • CPU: 4-core processor (Intel/AMD)
  • Memory: 8GB RAM
  • Storage: 500GB SSD/HDD
  • Network Interface: Two physical Ethernet ports recommended (at least one required for bridging)
  • USB Ports: Required for serial console connections
  • 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
  • Build Interface: VMnet1 (Bridged to Physical Ethernet) or a dedicated port group in ESXi
  • DHCP / PXE Boot Requirements: View the Troubleshooting section for more information
  • Internet Access (Optional): Not required for operation

Installation

MANTLE 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 OVA File – Verify that you have access to the Mantle.ova file. If not, download it from the appropriate source.
  • VMware Workstation 16+ – Make sure it’s installed and up to date.
    If not, download and install it from the Official VMware website.

Import the Mantle OVA

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

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

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

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

  4. The import process will take several minutes to complete.
    img

Configuring the Virtual Network Editor

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

  1. Once the import is complete, go to the Edit tab and select Virtual Network Editor.
    img

  2. Click Change Settings to enable administrative access for modifying network configurations.
    img

  3. Configure VMnet0 (Management Interface) as follows:

    • Host-only
    • Connect a host virtual adapter to this network
    • Use local DHCP service (Mantle gets an IP dynamically)
    • Subnet IP – leave default or specify your own.
      img

  4. Configure VMnet1 (Build Interface) as follows:

    • Bridged – Connect VM directly to external network
    • Bridged to – Select your host’s physical network adapter

    Then click Apply → OK.
    img

Configuring the Virtual Machine Settings

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

  1. Click Edit virtual machine settings (Workstation).
    img

  2. Under Hardware, select Memory → allocate 4–8GB.
    img

  3. Select Processors:

    • Number of Processors: 2
    • Cores per Processor: 1
      img

  4. Configure the Network Adapters:

    • Network Adapter 1 → VMnet0 (Host-only)
    • Network Adapter 2 → VMnet1 (Bridged)
      img

  5. Click OK (Workstation) to save changes.
    img

Powering On the VM and Initial Setup

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"]

  1. Click Power on this virtual machine.
    img

  2. Once booted, you’ll see the Red Hat login page. Enter mantle as the username.
    img

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

  4. You’ll be prompted to change the password. Re-enter the same one, click Sign In, then provide a new, compliant password.
    img

Mantle / Red Hat Password Requirements

  1. Minimum Length: 15 characters
  2. Character Requirements: Must include uppercase, lowercase, number, special char
  3. Password Complexity: At least four different character types; no dictionary words
  4. No Repeats: More than 3 identical characters in a row not allowed
  5. Expiration: Must change every 60 days
  6. Lockout Policy: 3 failed attempts → locked 15 minutes

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

  2. Retype the 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

Accessing the Mantle Web UI

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"]
    F --> G["Access Web UI"]

  1. Open a browser on your host machine.
    img

  2. Enter the VM’s IP address and press Enter.
    img

  3. If you see a “Your connection is not private” warning, click Advanced → Proceed.
    img

  4. On the Mantle setup page, upload a valid license key and click Submit.
    img

  5. Mantle’s web UI will prompt for first-time credentials. Default admin user: admin / ADmin11!!.
    img

  6. Change the default admin password to meet the stated complexity.
    img

  7. Once logged in, Mantle is fully installed and ready to use!
    img

vSphere and vCSA Note

While these steps focus on VMware ESXi, deploying the Mantle OVA on VMware vCenter Server Appliance (vCSA) is nearly identical through the vSphere Web Client.
Refer to VMware’s Official Documentation for details specific to vCSA or multi-host environments.

graph LR
    A("Log in to ESXi Host Client")
  1. Log in to the ESXi Host Client
    Navigate to Virtual Machines in the left sidebar.
    img
graph LR
    A("Log in to ESXi Host Client") --> B("Create / Register VM")
  1. Create / Register VM
    Click Create / Register VM to open the wizard.
    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: Provide a friendly name (e.g., "mantle").
  3. OVF/OVA: Upload mantle.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: Map the VM’s NICs to ESXi port groups (e.g., MGMT, BUILD).
  3. Disk Provisioning: Thin or Thick, depending on your requirements.
  4. Power on automatically: If you want it started upon completion.
    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 to start deployment.
    Do not refresh your browser during this process.
    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, then Actions → Edit Settings to modify CPU, RAM, or disk size.
  3. Adjust network adapters if needed.
    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")
    H --> I("Add USB Device (Optional)")
    • If required for serial console or specialized hardware pass-through, under Edit Settings click Add other device → USB device.
      img img
    • Ensure the USB device is attached physically to the ESXi host.
      img

    Add USB Device (Optional)

    Note

    • You cannot add a USB device until the VM finishes uploading/importing into ESXi. Wait for the task to complete before editing settings.
    • Multi-port USB serial devices often appear as multiple devices. Add them in the order they appear to preserve the correct serial port mapping.

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_IP]/.
- Upload your license key and change the admin password.

Mantle is then fully installed and ready for use.