Operating System Deployment Using the DRAC 4 Virtual Media CLI Feature 143Operating System Deployment Using theDRAC 4 Virtual Media CLI FeatureTo accomplish remote operating system deployments for multiple target servers, interactivemethods are time consuming, and error-prone. The DRAC 4 Virtual Media command lineinterface (VM-CLI) utility supports cost-effective, scripted methods for accomplishing remoteoperating system deployments to multiple target servers. Typically, a deployment infrastructureis already in place, within computing environments that require multiple remote operatingsystem deployments. This section describes how the VM-CLI utility can be integrated into yourexisting deployment infrastructure in these computing environments.NOTE: For occasional, one-time operating system deployments, interactive methods of performing theinstallation are typically used. A Dell™ technical publication describing how this procedure can beaccomplished remotely with the use of DRAC 4 Virtual Media features is available on the Dell website at:http://www.dell.com/downloads/global/power/ps1q05-20040170-Gujarathi.pdfRequirementsEnsure that your deployment infrastructure meets the following requirements before you startusing the DRAC 4 VM-CLI utility to accomplish remote operating system installations:1 Each remote target server requires DRAC 4 hardware, whose network interface is operationaland accessible from the deployment host (which is the client system used to perform theremote deployment).NOTE: Dell Custom Factory Integration (CFI) options include the capability to have the networkinterface of DRAC 4 configured by default, to obtain its network address from a DHCP server. Withthis capability, the new DRAC 4 hardware obtains a unique network address and name out-of-the-box(the DRAC 4 network name is based on the host’s unique service tag).2 The virtual devices on each remote target server must be at the top of the BIOS boot order, sothat the target server’s virtual devices can be booted, when media is connected to them.NOTE: Dell Custom Factory Integration (CFI) options include the capability to have the VirtualDevices of DRAC 4 configured by default, at the top of the BIOS boot order. With this capability, thenew server hardware can boot from its Virtual Media devices out-of-the-box.
