User's Manual
DTK is designed to be flexible enough to fit into almost any deployment plan.
DTK components can be used in many different ways to assist IT staff in deploying Dell systems in large numbers.
Because all the tools and scripts are task oriented, many of them can be used separately to perform a specific task on
many systems or collectively to perform many tasks on many systems at once. For information on the deployment
methods, see Running The Deployment Scripts.
Deployment Matrix
Depending on the scope, current business needs, network setup, and process, you can select any of the suggested
methods of deployment. The following table provides the configuration complexity and the pros and cons of each
deployment method.
Table 4. Deployment Method Matrix
Deployment Methods Complexity Advantages Disadvantages
Local deployment
(bootable media)
Relatively simple
• Necessary if a
network connection
is not available or is
too slow.
• Can install supported
Windows operating
systems.
• Can perform
a minimal installation
of supported Linux
operating systems.
• Any change requires
the creation of a new
bootable media.
• Limited space on
media for some
operating system
installation files.
• Deployment tasks
must be performed
at the individual
target system.
• Media are read-only
and requires the
creation of a
RAMDISK for
temporary data
storage.
• Installation time is
high.
Remote deployment over
a network (bootable
Windows PE or Linux
media with network
stack loaded)
Moderate
• Everything is in one
place in a network
share.
• Easy to manage—
changes have to be
made in a single
location.
• Data captured
(profiles) can be
stored in a network
share.
• Data can be
replicated from a
network share.
• Can install supported
Windows or Linux
operating systems.
• Must have network
connection.
• Deployment tasks
must be performed
at the individual
target system.
• Must locate the
appropriate
Windows PE or
embedded Linux
network drivers.
• Not supported from a
mapped NetWare
system.
Deployment solution
framework from a
third‑party vendor
Mixed
• DTK can be used in
context of third-party
Must either acquire and
learn to use or have an
existing third-party
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