---
title: "RMU Build: Prerequisites"
slug: rmu-build-prerequisites
description: Networking, hardware, domain, and installation-media requirements to gather before starting the Gen-1 to Gen-1.5 RMU build runbook.
tags:
  - node-provider
  - rmu
  - gen-1
  - infrastructure
  - networking
  - runbook
date: 2026-05-04
related:
  - node-provider-documentation
  - gen-1-to-gen-1-5-rmu-build
  - rmu-build-proxmox
---

This page covers the prerequisites for the
[Gen-1 to Gen-1.5 RMU build runbook](/wiki/gen-1-to-gen-1-5-rmu-build/).
Complete every item here before starting the
[Proxmox build](/wiki/rmu-build-proxmox/).

## Verification with DFINITY Foundation

DFINITY must perform some bridge updating before this work begins, and
will also verify a few details with you. Contact them at least one
week before your planned start date.

## Determine networking information

### What you need to know

Obtain your 1G management uplink IP information from your network
provider:

- Your usable customer address range and `Network Mask`.
- The `Gateway` for that customer address range.

This information will be needed for the DNS records below.

### What you must do

- Allocate one of your available IP addresses (`External IP`) from the
  usable customer address range to assign to the RMU.
- It is advantageous to the network if the first two nodes in each
  data center have already been
  [redeployed with IPv4](/wiki/updating-node-ipv4-and-domain/) before
  executing this runbook.

## Hardware requirements

This runbook uses hardware that most Gen-1 sites already have — in
particular, the Supermicro Skylake RMU, which is repurposed as part of
these directions.

- Purchase a USB console cable. Choose one that matches the laptop you
  intend to bring into the data center:
  - **USB-C** for a Mac or a Windows laptop with a USB-C jack —
    [Amazon example](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0774JV2QQ).
  - **USB-A** for Windows laptops without a USB-C jack —
    [Amazon example](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075V1RGQK).
- For sites that do **not** already have a Supermicro Skylake RMU
  (some of the earliest sites had an Intel NUC instead), contact
  DFINITY for a recommendation suited to your situation.

## Domain name

You need an internet domain that you have administrative access to in
order to add the required `A` records. This domain is referred to as
`<domain>` in the commands and examples throughout the runbook.

If you operate multiple data centers, prepend your site code (`<dc>`)
to your root domain name — for example, `xx1.domain.com`.

Add two records (with optional `dc`):

1. `A` record for `teleport.<dc>.<domain>` pointing to `External IP`.
2. `A` record for `*.teleport.<dc>.<domain>` pointing to `External IP`.

These records allow you to access the RMU and its hosted services
remotely and securely.

## Data center resources

- **Smart Hands**, or a technician who will travel to the data center.
- A **crash cart** with a VGA adapter (for SuperMicro) or HDMI (for
  NUC).

## USB drive

You will need one high-speed USB drive.

Download Proxmox VE's latest release ISO installer from the
[Proxmox downloads page](https://www.proxmox.com/en/downloads)
(currently v8.1.x) and flash it to the USB stick:

1. Download [balenaEtcher](https://www.balena.io/etcher/).
2. Insert the USB drive and open balenaEtcher.
3. Select **Flash from file** and choose the downloaded Proxmox ISO.
   The exact UI may differ between operating systems.
4. Confirm that your USB drive is selected, then click **Select**.
5. Click **Flash!**.
6. Wait for balenaEtcher to flash the image onto the USB drive.

## Continue

Proceed to [Install Proxmox](/wiki/rmu-build-proxmox/#a-install-proxmox).

## Related

- [RMU build — Gen-1.5](/wiki/gen-1-to-gen-1-5-rmu-build/) — the parent runbook index.
- [Node Provider Documentation](/wiki/node-provider-documentation/) — the parent index for the role.
- [Updating your node's IPv4 and domain name](/wiki/updating-node-ipv4-and-domain/) — recommended IPv4 redeployment for the first two nodes per DC.