Configuring and Deploying Server Blades
Compaq ProLiant BL20p Server Blade Setup and Installation Guide
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COMPAQ CONFIDENTIAL
Writer: Christine Portillo File Name: d-ch3 Configuring and Deploying Server Blades.doc
Codename: AvX Part Number: 307131-001 Last Saved On: 11/1/02 1:03 PM
Creating a Linux Diskette Image
To create a diskette image for deployment purposes, you can use one of the
following:
•
Rawrite Utility (RAWRITE.EXE) — Use this utility to create a Linux diskette
image on a Microsoft platform.
•
DD.exe — Use this executable program to create a Linux diskette image on a
Linux platform.
These applications are available from the Linux operating system CD.
Unattended Deployment
You can use the SmartStart Scripting Toolkit to create scripts for unattended
deployment. Download the SmartStart Scripting Toolkit from
www.compaq.com/manage/toolkit.html
Network-Based PXE Deployment
To deploy an operating system to multiple server blades, you can install a PXE
deployment server on the network.
PXE is a component of the Intel Wired for Management (WfM) specification. The
PXE model enables server blades to load and execute a network bootstrap program
(NBP) from a PXE server and to execute a pre-configured image. The image can be
an operating system image created by software utilities or a boot diskette image. This
feature enables a user to configure a server blade and install an operating system over
a network.
When a PXE-enabled client boots, it obtains an IP address from a dynamic host
configuration protocol (DHCP) server. The client obtains the name of the NBP from
the appropriate boot server. Then, the client uses trivial file transfer protocol (TFTP)
to download the NBP from the boot server and executes the image.