User's Manual

16 Introduction

To prepare for using the DTK utilities and scripts to deploy to a target system in the embedded

Linux environment:

Obtain the DTK Linux ISO image, which is a self-contained bootable ISO image.

Use and customize the sample scripts per your requirements.

Set up an optimally configured source system by using the

Installation and Server Management

CD to

configure the system and install your operating system. Use the

Service and Diagnostics

CD to load drivers.

NOTE: If your system does not have a Service and Diagnostic Utilities CD, obtain the latest drivers from the

Dell Support website at support.dell.com.

Install an operating system on a target system.

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 Linux ISO image and running the

syscap.sh

raidcap.sh

, and

raccap.sh

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.

Create an operating system answer file that contains unattended operating system software

installation information.

Deploying

After you have prepared all scripts, files, and utilities, you are ready to proceed with the deployment

process. While there are many ways to use the DTK utilities to deploy Dell systems, this guide focuses on

the two most common methods for Windows PE and embedded Linux: CD-based deployment (local)

and network-based deployment (remote).

Deployment Using Removable Boot Media With a Network Connection (CD-Based)

Create a deployment CD containing a bootable image with the appropriate CD and network drivers, along

with any utilities needed to connect to a network share. The deployment CD initiates the deployment

process by mapping to the network share where the deployment directory structure resides.

Insert the bootable CD into the appropriate drive of the system to be deployed.

Boot or reboot the system.

The configuration process begins:

• Windows PE or embedded Linux, as the case may be, is loaded from the CD.

• Network shares are mapped.

• The DTK scripts execute the necessary DTK utilities from the network share or the CD itself.

• Configuration information is read from the network share.

• The operating system is installed from a network share. (This installation may happen after your

system reboots.)