OpenManage Server Assistant 8.x

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1 Using Dell OpenManage Server Assistant 8.x to Optimize Installation of Dell PowerEdge Servers Dell OpenManage Server Assistant 8.x provides features designed to improve operating system (OS) installation on Dell PowerEdge servers. These features include network adapter teaming, OS installation replication, network download installation, and support for customized installation scripts. This article explores how these features can help system administrators deploy various operating systems on Dell PowerEdge servers. BY MICHAEL E. BROWN, NIROOP GONCHIKAR, NATHAN MARTELL, AND GONG WANG D ell OpenManage Server Assistant 8.x is a redesigned tool that can help provide seamless operating system (OS) installation for Microsoft Windows, Red Hat Linux, and Novell NetWare software on Dell PowerEdge servers. Although this tool has traditionally been used in small business environments, additional features including network adapter teaming, OS installation replication, network download installation, and support for customized installation scripts may benefit medium and large businesses as well. This article presents typical enterprise scenarios that help illustrate the benefits of these features to system administrators, and explains the process steps involved in implementing these features. Making OS installation simple and efficient To set up a new server in a network environment, administrators typically must go through a lengthy series of steps, which may include: Obtaining a list of devices installed on the server and downloading device drivers from the vendor s Web site. Downloading and upgrading RAID controller firmware with the latest compatible version for the desired OS. Configuring and creating a RAID container using the RAID controller s utility. Then, downloading the compatible RAID controller s driver before starting the OS installation on the newly created container. Note: Without the compatible driver, the OS installation is likely to fail. During OS installation: Going through a few interview pages (which can be tedious) to configure the desired OS. After OS installation: Installing the latest service pack and loading drivers for the network adapters, video adapter, and other devices onto the server until they all can function in the OS. Manually adding the server to the network domain. This entire process can be time-consuming and complex, depending on the OS type and version as well as the dependencies that exist between versions of various service packs, firmware, and drivers. 76

2 Dell OpenManage Server Assistant was designed to make this process more streamlined and less time-consuming. The Dell OpenManage Server Assistant CD ships with every Dell PowerEdge server. This tool has two key functions: The first and primary function known as install mode is to provide tools to configure the PowerEdge server and install the OS. The install mode can be activated by booting the server with the Server Assistant CD. Server Assistant then provides a mechanism to optimize the installation of the selected OS. It also facilitates a uniform, simple configuration of RAID controllers and automatically installs the correct driver set for all supported devices, without downloading or guesswork. The second function of Dell OpenManage Server Assistant known as service mode is to deliver the latest versions of the BIOS, firmware, diagnostics, and optimized drivers. In this mode, administrators can insert the Server Assistant CD into a system running Microsoft Windows or Red Hat Linux. If the server s auto-play feature is enabled (Windows only), a screen will appear that leads administrators to create the diskette(s) of the latest-version firmware, drivers, device utilities, and diagnostic tools for the selected platform and OS from the Server Assistant CD. Using these diskettes, administrators can install or update an already-running PowerEdge server. For more information about key Dell OpenManage Server Assistant functions, visit Dell Power Solutions online at New features in Dell OpenManage Server Assistant 8.x In addition to the traditional functionality provided in previous Server Assistant releases, Dell OpenManage Server Assistant 8.x introduces several new features to meet the needs of real-world enterprise scenarios: express versus advanced mode for OS configuration; network adapter teaming; service pack or RPM (Red Hat Package Manager) deployment through network installation; customized installation scripts; and OS replication. These new features are illustrated in the following sections. Configuring servers in express or advanced mode In Dell OpenManage Server Assistant 8.x, configuration pages for RAID, network, and OS are split into two modes: express mode and advanced mode. In express mode, the basic configuration tasks can be completed more quickly. Figure 1 shows the differences between these two modes for Server Assistant configuration interview pages. Teaming network adapters for improved performance and reliability Network adapter teaming is a mechanism that enables administrators to bond two or more physical network adapters to a single logical network device. The teaming method is designed to increase server uptime and performance. Dell OpenManage Server Assistant 8.x helps administrators to configure network adapter teaming quickly Express mode tasks Advanced mode tasks RAID Select RAID level Select RAID level configuration Configure RAID size Select array disks (Requires two steps) Configure RAID size Configure stripe size, stripe depth, and read/write policy (Requires four steps) Network Configure IP settings for each Configure one or more network configuration network adapter: adapter teams DHCP or static IP Select network adapter teaming For static IP, configure IP service provider (Intel or address and subnet mask Broadcom), if applicable (No network adapter teaming) Select network adapters for teaming Select network adapter teaming mode (Adaptive Load Balancing or Adapter Fault Tolerance, for example) Supply network adapter team name Configure IP settings (Advanced mode is not available for NetWare) OS configuration for Provide basic OS information: In addition to providing basic OS Microsoft Windows language, organization, user information: platforms name, product ID, system Select OS components (IIS, DNS, name, installation directory, DHCP, and WINS) license type, and client license Configure SNMP settings number; workgroup or domain Configure service pack installation name; and Domain Name over the network System (DNS) server, gateway, Create customized installation and Windows Internet Naming script Service (WINS) server OS configuration for Provide basic OS information: In addition to providing basic Red Hat Linux system name, domain name, OS information: platforms firewall setting, language, root Configure additional RPMs for password, DNS server, and installation over the network gateway Create customized installation script OS configuration for Provide basic OS information: In addition to providing basic Novell NetWare language, server name, Internet OS information: platforms domain name, DNS server, and Select OS components: NetWare gateway; as well as NDS FTP server, DNS/DHCP service, installation information such as Web server, wide area network tree name, server context, (WAN) traffic manager services, administrator context, and Novell Distributed Print Services administrator name and password (NDPS ), multimedia server, Web search, and news server Configure SNMP settings Figure 1. Tasks that can be performed using Dell OpenManage Server Assistant 8.x: Express mode versus advanced mode and easily during the OS setup. The tool is designed to enable uniform configuration of network adapter teaming regardless of the type of network adapter installed. Using Dell OpenManage Server Assistant 8.x, administrators are not required to download extra utilities or use complicated vendor-specific interfaces to configure teaming after the OS installation. Furthermore, the tool is designed to enable administrators to set up network adapter teaming without being required to understand its technical underpinnings. In Dell OpenManage Server Assistant 8.x, administrators can set up network adapter teaming, through the advanced mode network configuration page, by selecting one of the service providers: Broadcom or Intel. Broadcom Advanced Server Program is available only for Red Hat Linux. Intel PROSet is available for both Microsoft Windows and Red Hat Linux. Overall, teaming requires two or more network POWER SOLUTIONS 77

adapters. Administrators may team network adapters from different vendors as long as one adapter in the team is from the vendor that is providing the teaming functionality.

3 adapters. Administrators may team network adapters from different vendors as long as one adapter in the team is from the vendor that is providing the teaming functionality. Intel adapter teaming Intel PROSet offers two teaming modes: Adaptive Load Balancing and Adapter Fault Tolerance. In Adaptive Load Balancing mode, a team of two or more network adapters can be configured to help increase the system s transmission and reception throughput. This setup is designed to increase the server s network throughput by allowing transmission over two to eight ports to multiple destination addresses, while incorporating adapter fault tolerance. Only the primary adapter receives incoming traffic and transmits broadcast/multicast packets and non-routed protocols packets. In Adapter Fault Tolerance mode, a team of two or more network adapters is configured to provide a backup network connection. This setup is designed to permit mixed models and mixed connection speeds as long as at least one Intel network adapter is in the team. A failed primary adapter will pass its Media Access Control (MAC) address and Layer 3 address to the secondary, or failover, adapter this capability is designed to help ensure server availability to the network. Figure 2 shows the configuration page for Intel PROSet network adapter teaming in Dell OpenManage Server Assistant 8.x. Administrators must assign a static IP address for the logical teaming device. Broadcom adapter teaming When administrators select Broadcom as the service provider in Dell OpenManage Server Assistant 8.x, Smart Load Balancing is the only available teaming mode. Smart Load Balancing is designed to offer fault-tolerant teaming and load balancing. All adapters in the team have separate MAC addresses. Operating on Layer 3 addresses, this mode can help balance both incoming and outgoing traffic loads. If Figure 2. Dell OpenManage Server Assistant 8.x Network Adapter Teaming Configuration page for Intel adapters a link on any port fails, Smart Load Balancing is designed to divert traffic automatically to other ports in the team. Installing service packs or RPMs from the network One of the most crucial steps following an OS installation is to apply any service packs or kernel updates that have been released. This step is designed to ensure that any problems identified in the OS, such as security risks and critical bug fixes, are resolved creating a robust OS environment. The longer an OS remains up and running without service pack or kernel updates, the greater the potential risk of a vulnerability being exploited or a critical failure causing server downtime. A new feature in Dell OpenManage Server Assistant allows administrators to specify a network location from which service packs (Windows systems) or RPMs (Linux systems) can be downloaded and installed. Administrators can pull the service packs or RPMs from either a Network File System (NFS) or Server Message Block (SMB) share. Dell OpenManage Server Assistant downloads the service packs or RPMs to a temporary partition before the OS installation starts, and applies the service packs or RPMs immediately after the OS installation is complete. This feature helps administrators minimize the exposure time of known security and functional risks. It requires that the server be connected to a network that supports Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP). For a Windows OS, Server Assistant supports only the installation of service packs. For Linux, administrators can use a wildcard ( * ) to install all the RPMs in a specific directory. This capability is designed to allow for kernel updates as well as the installation of any applications and utilities that can be installed with RPMs. Customizing installation scripts Following an OS installation, administrators often standardize the OS environment by adding users, configuring directories, or even mapping network share drives. The Custom Install Script feature available through the advanced mode of the OS interview page in Dell OpenManage Server Assistant is designed to provide a convenient method for configuring a server with settings tailored for an organization s environment. This feature, coupled with the OS Installation Replication feature highlighted in the next section, can be a powerful tool to deploy the OS to Dell PowerEdge servers with uniform and customized configurations. Administrators can use the Custom Install Script feature by going to the advanced mode of the Enter OS Information page and entering the script in the provided text box. This feature is available only on Windows and Linux. When installing Windows, the Custom Install Script is executed toward the end of the Windows installation process, during the graphical user interface (GUI) portion of the installation through the cmdlines.txt file. For this reason, Dell best practices do not recommend that applications or utilities requiring full OS support be executed through the Custom Install Script feature. For more information 78

4 about the Custom Install Script feature, see Automating Server Installation and Upgrade in the Windows 2000 Server Resource Kit ( windows2000/techinfo/reskit/en-us/ default.asp?url=/windows2000/techinfo/reskit/en-us/deploy/ dgcb_ins_jqxv.asp). When installing Linux, Dell OpenManage Server Assistant executes the Custom Install Script after the OS installation is complete, during the first OS boot. Dell OpenManage Server Assistant automatically adds the Custom Install Script to the /etc/rc.local script and then removes the Custom Install Script after execution. Note: The Custom Install Script must include only commands that terminate. For example, commands in Linux such as ping should not be used and will stall the OS installation from completing the first boot. For sample Linux and Windows Custom Install Scripts, visit Dell Power Solutions online at magazines_extras. Replicating the OS image for multiple servers Dell OpenManage Server Assistant 8.x is designed to allow administrators to set up multiple Dell PowerEdge servers with identical configurations. After going through the interview pages for one installation, administrators can create a replication profile and use that profile to help automate OS installations on other systems that are configured identically. The OS replication feature is designed to enable administrators to save time creating RAID, configuring OS settings, setting up network adapter teaming, and so on. Dell OpenManage Server Assistant 8.x can support OS replication on Microsoft Windows, Red Hat Linux, and Novell NetWare. To replicate an OS installation, administrators must first select the check box for Save Profile for Replication on the Installation Summary page. Server Assistant will then save the installation profile to the location on the hard drive indicated on the Summary page. Then, administrators must copy the profile files to a diskette after the OS installation is complete. Administrators boot the server to be replicated using the Server Assistant CD and insert the diskette as soon as the system starts to boot from the CD. A text message indicates the progress of the replication, and administrators can follow the instructions on the screen to complete this process. Deploying servers with express installation When using Dell OpenManage Server Assistant to set up a server, a novice administrator can take advantage of the express mode pages with no need to access the advanced mode pages. The express process requires administrators to enter only the minimal settings to install and run the desired OS. Expected input would be RAID type Initial time to install OS Subsequent time to install OS* Novice user and 10.5 minutes 3.5 minutes Windows 2000 Server (express mode) Small-to-medium or 14.5 minutes 8 minutes large business and Windows Server 2003 (advanced mode) *Assumes administrator becomes more familiar with tool on subsequent installations Figure 3. Time required for administrator to navigate Dell OpenManage Server Assistant 8.x when installing a Windows OS on a Dell PowerEdge server and size, basic IP address information, and necessary OS configuration information for the installation to occur. Figure 3 shows the results of a Dell usability evaluation report conducted in December 2003 that measured the time required for the Server Assistant interview pages to complete during Windows installations. 1 After these interview pages completed, the remaining unattended process for the Microsoft Windows Server 2003 OS, for example, required approximately 30 minutes. Setting up server operating systems with advanced installation For small-to-medium enterprises, a typical OS installation requires more configuration or more options than a novice user environment. In many cases, only certain drives are used to build a RAID array, especially if the system has six or more drives available. A network adapter team may also be required to help provide greater fault tolerance or improved network performance. Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) must be configured to send alert traps for system status. Other services such as Microsoft Internet Information Services (IIS), DHCP, and Terminal Services also may need to be installed on the server. Under such circumstances, administrators must use the advanced mode pages for RAID configuration, network adapter configuration, and OS configuration in Dell OpenManage Server Assistant. To build an advanced RAID configuration, administrators should enter the RAID type; select the drives to be included in the RAID array; and then enter the size, name, stripe size, and read/write policies of the array. To set up a network adapter team, administrators must select the provider (Intel or Broadcom, if applicable); the adapters to be grouped; the type of team (Adapter Fault Tolerance or Adaptive Load Balancing, for example); and the team name and IP settings. On the advanced mode OS configuration page, administrators must enter SNMP configuration settings such as community, rights, and destination address and select the desired services to install. Figure 4 shows the Dell OpenManage Server Assistant 8.x GUI for the advanced mode 1 Based on the Dell OpenManage Server Assistant usability evaluation report performed by Dell Labs in December 2003 on a PowerEdge 2600 server running Microsoft Windows 2000 Server and using RAID-0 and on a PowerEdge 2600 server running Microsoft Windows Server 2003 and using RAID-5, three hard drives, adapter teaming, and SNMP. The required time for installing an OS depends on processor speed, memory size, RAID level, and so on. Actual performance will vary based on configuration, usage, and manufacturing variability. POWER SOLUTIONS 79

5 Assistant 8.x OS advanced mode. Later installations using OS replication can be completed with very little time invested, because a replicated installation skips the attended interview question pages and goes straight to the OS installation. OS replication also helps ensure that subsequent systems are installed with identical system settings. Particularly in large enterprises, administrators may need to implement security patches, system policies, and standard application software across all the systems in their network. On the advanced mode OS configuration page in Server Assistant, a customized installation script is designed to provide a method for performing certain actions at the end of the installation process before the OS boots for the first time. This capability can help reduce the time required to set up a new system that complies with the enterprise s network security policy and software usage requirements. The OS replication feature is designed to help administrators who are setting up multiple identical systems minimize the time they spend installing the OS. All pertinent information for the initial OS installation is saved to files, which can then be copied to a diskette and used in conjunction with the Server Assistant CD to facilitate another OS installation on the same system (in case of catastrophic failure) or a system configured with identical hardware. This capability can help significantly reduce system setup time, especially if several servers must be deployed in the same or a similar fashion. Figure 4. Dell OpenManage Server Assistant 8.x advanced mode Enter Configuration Information page for installing Windows Server 2003 Enter Configuration Information page in a Windows Server 2003 environment. An advanced Server Assistant installation offers several advantages over both a manual installation and an express installation: flexible and easy RAID configuration even though the settings are more advanced; no need to install advanced network adapter teaming software and then learn the interface for setting up a team; easier SNMP setup; and additional time savings for network adapter teaming and SNMP configuration. Streamlining OS installation for efficient systems management Enhanced features in Dell OpenManage Server Assistant 8.x are designed to help organizations of all sizes save time and thus lower costs. When deploying a Dell PowerEdge server on a network, administrators can use Server Assistant to help streamline the OS installation process helping make the first step in systems management an efficient and well-executed one. Michael E. Brown (michael_e_brown@dell.com) is a software developer in the Dell Enterprise Software Development Group. He is the technical lead for Dell OpenManage Server Assistant. He attended Southwestern Michigan College and is a Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE ), a Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE), and a Certified Novell Administrator. Niroop Gonchikar (niroop_gonchikar@dell.com) is a software engineer in the Dell Enterprise Software Development Group. Before joining Dell, he interned at Lucent Technologies. Niroop has a B.S. in Computer Science from the University of Virginia. Advanced installation in large enterprises The most advanced features of Server Assistant are designed for large enterprises. For example, administrators in large organizations are most likely to take advantage of the network download feature, customized installation scripts, and OS replication. Administrators can use the network download feature to install a service pack or an RPM during the OS installation. Service packs or RPMs can be installed automatically through the Dell OpenManage Server Nathan Martell (nathan_martell@dell.com) is a software developer in the Dell Enterprise Software Development Group. Before joining Dell, he worked as a software developer for Netopia, Inc. Nathan has a B.S. in Computer Engineering from the University of Kansas. Gong Wang (gong_wang@dell.com) is a software engineer in the Dell Enterprise Software Development Group. Before joining Dell, he worked as a research scientist at the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) and an instructor at Wuhan University. Gong has an M.S. in Human-Computer Interaction and an M.S. in Experimental Psychology from Georgia Tech. 80

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