User's Manual

Introduction 21

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 Dell 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.