DGX Station A100 Quick Start Guide

Documentation that helps you get started with the NVIDIA® DGX Station™ A100 system.

1. Introduction

This Quick Start Guide provides minimal instructions for completing the initial installation and configuration of the DGX Station A100. These instructions only apply to setting up DGX Station A100 as a workstation. You can convert the DGX Station A100 to a headless server after you complete the instructions in this Quick Start Guide. If you need more detailed instructions, see the DGX Station A100 User Guide at http://docs.nvidia.com/dgx/.

2. What's in the Box

  • NVIDIA DGX Station A100
  • Accessory boxes containing the following items:
    • Quick Start Guide
    • AC power cable with a locale-specific grounded connector
    • Mini DisplayPort 1.2 to DisplayPort Adapter
    • USB recovery flash drive containing:
      • Source code of the open-source software that is installed on DGX Station A100
    • Toxic Substance Notice and Safety Instructions
    • Declaration of Conformity
    • Wheel locks

To unpack the DGX Station A100, refer to Unpacking the DGX Station A100 in the DGX Station A100 .

Inspect each piece of equipment in the packing box. If anything is missing or damaged, contact your supplier.

3. Placing the DGX Station A100

CAUTION:
The DGX Station A100 weighs 91 lbs (41.3 kg). Do not attempt to lift the DGX Station A100. Instead, remove the DGX Station A100 from its packaging and move it into position by rolling it on its fitted casters.

Place the DGX Station A100 in a location that is clean, dust-free, well ventilated, and near an appropriately rated, grounded AC power outlet.

Leave approximately 5 inches (12.5 cm) of clearance behind and at the sides of the DGX Station A100 to allow sufficient airflow for cooling the unit.

When operating the DGX Station A100, keep the ambient temperature and relative humidity within the following ranges:
  • Ambient temperature: 10°C to 35°C (50°F to 95°F)
  • Relative humidity: 10% to 80% (non-condensing)

Always keep the DGX Station A100 upright. Do not lay the unit on its side.

4. Front-Panel Connections and Controls

ID Type Qty Description
1 Power Button 1 Press to turn the NVIDIA DGX Station A100 on or off.

5. Rear-Panel Connectors and Controls

ID Type Qty Description
1 USB 3.1 Type-C 1 USB 3.1 Type-C port
2 Ethernet 2 RJ45 10G LAN ports
3 Remote Management 1 RJ45 1G LAN dedicated BMC Management (MGMT)
4 USB 3.1 x 2 Type-A 1 2 x USB 3.1 Type A port
5 AC Input 1 Power supply input
6 Reset Button 1 Press to reboot the system without turning off the system power
7 DisplayPort 1 Ports to connect up to 3 displays
8 Power Supply Switch 1 Turn the power supply on and off

6. Connecting To and Powering On the DGX Station A100

Note: For initial setup, connect only one display to the DGX Station A100. After you complete the initial Ubuntu OS configuration, you can configure DGX Station A100 to use multiple displays.

























7. Completing the Initial Ubuntu OS Configuration

When you power on the DGX Station A100 for the first time, you are prompted to configure the Ubuntu OS.

Important: It takes about 1-3 minutes for the initial POST before display, and it takes about 1-2 minutes for for Ubuntu to load.

This first boot process includes the following steps:

  1. Accept the End User License Agreement.
  2. Enter the localization information, such as time zone and language.
  3. Create the administrative username and password to log in to the DGX Station A100 operating system.
  4. Set the password for the Baseboard Management Control (BMC) user. The BMC’s username will be the same as the OS administrator’s username that you entered in step 3.
  5. Set the GRUB password. The username for GRUB will be the same as the OS administrator’s username that you entered in step 3.
After the Ubuntu OS configuration is complete, the system will reboot, and you can log in to the DGX Station A100.

8. Accessing the MGMT

CAUTION:
  • Do not insert the network cable into the (BMC) MGMT port until after you complete the first boot of the host OS.
  • To protect the DGX Station A100 from unauthorized access, type a strong password. The strength of the password you choose is indicated as you type it.

The DGX Station A100 includes a BMC to enable the DGX Station A100 to be administered remotely. To protect your DGX Station A100 from unauthorized access through the BMC, you must set the username and password to log in to the BMC before you connect the MGMT (BMC) Ethernet port to your LAN.

Complete this task as part of the initial Ubuntu OS configuration. After you complete this task, you can connect the MGMT (BMC) Ethernet port to your LAN.

To access the BMC, configure an IP address as described in the DGX Station A100 User Guide.

Notices