User's Manual

Introduction 15
Deployment Methods
Dell systems can be deployed using several different methods. The most common method is using the
Installation and Server Management CD that is shipped with your system. Currently, this method is used
to deploy a single server at a time with the installation wizard. The DTK, on the other hand, offers a
complete set of utilities and sample scripts that can be used to automate deployment of large numbers of
Dell systems. This guide is designed to help guide you through some of the most basic planning
considerations, logistical preparations, and deployment procedures to get you started using the DTK to
deploy Dell systems.
DTK Deployment Overview
Preparing for Deployment
The deployment process can be separated into two main tasks: preparation and the actual deployment.
To prepare for using the DTK utilities and scripts to deploy to a target system in the Windows PE
environment:
1
Copy or extract the DTK utilities, sample scripts, sample configuration files, and drivers provided
(in the zip file) into the Windows PE image.
2 Organize the DTK utilities, scripts, and configuration files, the operating system installation files, and
the requisite system files and drivers on a network share or local media.
3 Set up an optimally configured source system by using the Installation and Server Management CD to
configure the system and install your operating system; and the
Service and Diagnostics CD to load
drivers. (This source system will be the master server that will be used to replicate settings onto
target servers.)
NOTE: If your system does not have a Service and Diagnostic Utilities CD, you can obtain the latest drivers
from the Dell Support website at support.dell.com.
4 Edit the DTK sample script files that read the system configuration files to set up the system BIOS,
BMC, RAID, and RAC and then install an operating system on a target system.
5 Generate a system BIOS, BMC, RAID, and/or RAC configuration profile from the optimally
configured source system. (This source system will be the master server that will be used to replicate
settings onto target servers.) You can obtain the system BIOS, BMC, RAID, and/or RAC configuration
files by booting from the DTK Windows PE ISO image and running the
SYSCAP.BAT ,
RAIDCAP.BAT , and RACCAP.BAT scripts. Then, copy the generated configuration files to a
read/write share onto the workstation.
NOTE: You can use a system profile generated on a specific PowerEdge system to deploy only that same
system model. For example, you can use a system BIOS configuration profile generated for an optimally
configured PowerEdge 1850 system to deploy only other, similarly configured PowerEdge 1850 systems.
6 Create an operating system answer file that contains unattended operating system software
installation information.