Server Deployment

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Several server-deployment methods , software-update tools, and utilities are available for ProLiant servers; this section provides an overview of these tools.

ProLiant Essentials Foundation Pack

Formerly the ProLiant Server Setup and Management kit, the tools are now packaged and ship as the ProLiant Essentials Foundation Pack, which delivers one complete, easy-to-use set of tools that ships with every ProLiant server.

The ProLiant Essentials Foundation Pack contains the essential software needed to install, configure, and manage ProLiant servers. It includes the Management CD, which contains the Compaq Intelligent Manageability products, including SIM, Management Agents; Version Control Agents; and the VCRM for ProLiant ML, DL, and blade servers. The Foundation Pack also includes the SmartStart CD, which contains the SmartStart server installation application, the RDU, ProLiant Support Packs (PSP) OS support software, and system utilities.

The ProLiant Essentials Foundation Pack includes the following:

  • SmartStart CD

    • ProLiant Support Packs (PSPs)

    • Support Pack Remote Deployment Utility (RDU)

    • System Management Homepage (Management Agents)

    • SmartStart Server Setup and Installation (when booted )

    • Firmware updates

    • Insight diagnostics

    • Array Configuration Utility

    • Erase Utility

  • Management CD

    • HP Systems Insight Manager (SIM)

    • HP SIM documentation

    • Version Control Repository Manager (VCRM )

    • Performance Management Pack (PMP) for SIM

    • True 64 and Open VMS Management Agents

    • Management Agent MIBs (Management Information Bases)

SmartStart

SmartStart assists the server deployment process by preparing the system for installing "off-the-shelf" versions of leading OS software. SmartStart takes advantage of embedded ROM-based utilities that enable server and array controller configuration. SmartStart automatically installs optimized ProLiant server support software, known as ProLiant PSPs, with every assisted installation. SmartStart is included in the ProLiant Essentials Foundation Pack and ships standard with every ProLiant ML and DL 300, 500, and 700 series of servers. Figure 2.4 shows the SmartStart home page.

Figure 2.4. The SmartStart homepage.

SmartStart provides the following functions:

  • Server setup ”automated and manual

  • Software updates (PSP)

  • Firmware updates (ROM)

  • System diagnostics

  • Array diagnostics

  • Array configuration

  • Software updates and installation assistance

  • Optimized reliability and performance

Remote Deployment Utility (RDU)

The PSP RDU is an application that locally or remotely deploys driver and Management Agent updates to network attached servers. Perhaps its best feature is RDU's capability to scan the target systems to automatically detect the needed system updates and present the details listing the installed version and the new version. The RDU can be operated from an IT Administrator's workstation, where remote servers are selected for software updates. This RDU lowers the overall cost of system software maintenance by providing an efficient way for IT Administrators to manage deployments of new system software updates.

The RDU is designed to work with the PSPs. PSPs are the package and installation programs for ProLiant server support software. PSPs represent OS-specific bundles of ProLiant optimized drivers, utilities, and Management Agents. In addition to the graphical RDU interface, the Remote Deployment Utility Console is a command-line interface that allows for scripted installation of ProLiant software components. This command-line interface can also be used to deploy individual software components from HP, such as the Online ROM Flash Components .

This utility simplifies the software update process by deploying from a central software repository. The process of deploying an update begins by selecting a PSP for deployment. The RDU provides a convenient way to browse a network directory or central software repository for a particular version of the PSP. This version of the PSP, in most corporate IT environments, is one that has been standardized on for maintaining consistent server software configurations. The RDU interface is shown in Figure 2.5.

Figure 2.5. RDU main view.

The RDU also provides a convenient way to select a server for a deployment. Using a standard browse feature, system Administrators can view servers on the network. Servers can be selected for a deployment by simply clicking on the server in the Network Neighborhood view. The RDU provides a simple, one-step method for deploying the update after the PSP and the target server have been selected.

The log file feature of the RDU provides a convenient way to access the software installation history of the server. This feature is particularly important when updating a server at a remote site. The RDU provides a simple way for the IT Administrator to pull up a view of the log file and review whether the PSP installation was completed successfully. The log file is stored at the target system and records all software installations by date and time.

The RDU is part of HP's strategy to deliver smart tools that simplify software maintenance tasks , reduce complexity, and save time and resources over the life of the server.

SmartStart Scripting Toolkit

The SmartStart Scripting Toolkit is a server-deployment product that delivers an unattended, automated installation for high-volume server deployments. The toolkit facilitates scripted configuration of ProLiant servers, arrays, Lights-Out, and OS installation with HP drivers and utilities over a LAN or from a bootable CD. It is available for download at no cost on the HP Web site. The toolkit is designed to support ProLiant DL, ML, and BL series servers, as well as selected pre-ML/DL ProLiant servers and iLO, RILOE, and RILOE II. The toolkit includes a modular set of utilities and documentation that describes how to apply these new tools to build an automated server-deployment process.

Using SmartStart technology, the Scripting Toolkit provides a flexible way to create standard server configuration scripts. These scripts are used to fully automate many of the manual steps in the server-configuration process. This automated server-configuration process cuts time from each server deployed, making it possible to scale server deployments to high volumes in rapid fashion.

Rapid Deployment Pack (RDP) Windows Edition

The RDP is an integrated HP and Altiris server-deployment product that facilitates the configuration, installation, deployment, and management of a high volume of servers from a GUI-based console using either scripting or imaging technology. The RDP software CD autostarts in the CD-ROM drive to begin the installation, as shown in Figure 2.6. With the RDP, server configuration time is reduced, making it possible to scale server deployments to high volumes in rapid fashion.

Figure 2-6. RDP CD autostart screen.

The RDP integrates two powerful products: the Altiris eXpress Deployment Solution and the ProLiant Integration Module. The ProLiant Integration Module consists of the SmartStart Scripting Toolkit, HP-supplied deployment events, and important documentation. This deployment solution is a fast, easy, point-and-click solution for deploying servers using imaging or scripting and maintaining server software images, all from a management console. The management console's GUI provides an intuitive drag-and-drop of configurations, such as scripts and images, to deploy the OSs and applications. Deploying a server is as easy as dragging and dropping predefined images or scripts onto target servers with the ability to deploy from one to hundreds of servers.

Especially designed for the ProLiant BL servers, but supporting all ProLiant servers, the RDP has advanced features that can detect and display server blades based on their physical rack, enclosure, and bay location. You can set the deployment console to automatically install or redeploy a previous computer's configuration to a new blade when replaced .

RDP is a licensed product. A license allows a server to be deployed and managed from the Deployment Server Console. One license is required for each server managed from the Deployment Server Console. An evaluation license is available on the HP Web site.

note

RDP for Windows is downloadable from the HP Web site. A 10-node, 7-day evaluation license is built into every RDP. During installation, leave the License File field blank at the Deployment Server Client Access Point Information screen to enable the license. To obtain and use a 10-node, 30-day evaluation license, access the following URL: http://www.hp.com/servers/rdp/eval.


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Windows Server 2003 on Proliants. Deployment Techniques and Management Tools for System Administrators
Windows Server 2003 on Proliants. Deployment Techniques and Management Tools for System Administrators
ISBN: B004C77T6A
EAN: N/A
Year: 2004
Pages: 214

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