Users Guide

• Selecting the optimum Dell OpenManage systems management software configuration for
your system
• Choosing a deployment method
DTK is 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.
• 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.
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