Users Guide

Deploying operating systems
After the system hardware is versioned and configured, an operating system can be installed using unattended setup files,
samples of which are provided as part of DTK. The sample configuration files are operating system specific, and have
been enhanced for Dell systems. For information on modifying the sample configuration files, see your operating system
documentation.
DTK Utilities (SYSCFG and RAIDCFG) and scripts (sample) supports Windows PE 4.0, Windows PE 5.1, and Windows PE 10.0.
For Microsoft WinPE and OS deployment limitations, see technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/hh824993.aspx.
DTK helps to deploy the Microsoft Windows Server operating systems in BIOS and UEFI mode, for supported OS information
refer Supported operating systems.
NOTE: For the latest supported operating systems, see the Windows PE documentation.
DTK helps to deploy the Linux operating systems in BIOS and UEFI mode, for supported OS information refer Supported
operating systems. The sample configuration files contain examples to deploy the supported operating systems.
Deployment
DTK offers a complete set of utilities, sample scripts, and RPM packages that can be used to automate deployment on large
numbers of Dell systems. This guide is designed to help you through some of the most basic planning considerations, logistical
preparations, and deployment procedures to get you started using DTK to deploy Dell systems.
A well-thought-out deployment plan is critical to the success of your deployment effort and includes the following
considerations:
● Assessing your existing IT environment
● Selecting an operating system
● 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.
Table 7. 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 install to support
for the 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.
18 Pre-requisites and deployment