Previous article about Riverbed covered RiOS upgrade process. In this post I will show how to install Riverbed Service Platform (RSP).

First let’s see how to get RSP image and what is RSP and how this can be used.

RSP can be downloaded from Riverbed Support page (https://support.riverbed.com/software/rsp.htm), where appropriate version for particular RiOS and Steelhead model can be downloaded.

Best source of detailed description will be RSP User’s Guide, so I did use it as source of information.

RSP offers branch-office-in-a-box services with the following benefits:

• A VMware-based virtualization platform that provides the benefits of the most commonly deployed and advanced virtualization tool set
• Support for running up to five different additional services simultaneously on a single Steelhead appliance, depending on the service and Steelhead appliance model
• Support for more services and types of services, including in-band packages located in-line with optimization such as the Universal Threat Management (UTM) security services, proxy solutions such as video or network monitoring services, and improved support for out-of-band packages  such as Windows Active Directory, DNS and DHCP management software, and print services.
• A comprehensive, integrated user interface that provides granular control of RSP, including setup, reporting, and the definition of the data flow between services

Also, as per RSP Users’ Guide architecture of that service looks as follows:

So, what has to be done on Riverbed Steelhead appliance in order to get virtual architechture working?

First we have to go to Riverbed appliance logon screen and access appliance with admin privileges.

Once logged on click Configure / Branch Services / RSP Service

On RSP Service configuration page click Install RSP From and choose Local File. Then clock Browse and point to folder where RSP image is located. Then click Install to upload and install image on Riverbed Appliance.

Riverbed will be shwoing progress of the upload process while transferring RSP image to appliance.

During installation appropriate information will show on the screen.

And finally RSP Service is isntalled. We can see installation/upgrade history for the RSP Service as well as version, disk and memory utilization.

To get RSP Service up and running click Start button. Once clicked you will see RSP State changed from disabled to initializing.

After a while RSP State will change to running and RSP Service will be ready to use.

Once RSP is installed you can access VMware platform on Riverbed Steelhead appliance. Just simply type URL: http://steelhead_ip_address:8222 (steelhead_ip_address is appropriate IP address of your Riverbed Steelhead appliance). Once you open this URL in browser you will see logon windows.

Use same username/password as for Riverbed access in order to logon to VMware Virtual Server. Once logon process will be completed you will be redirected to VMware Management Console.

That was quick overview of RSP Service installation. In next article about Riverbed I will show how to create small virtual machine and run it on RSP Service.