This article provides pre-release Deployment Server 6.8 jobs for deploying ESX 3.0. These jobs will be included in an upcoming Deployment Solution 6.8 SP1 build. There is an issue when performing a scripted install of ESX 3.0 to 9th Generation Dell PowerEdge Servers which cause the system to halt, forcing a hard reboot. This article provides the work-around needed to overcome this obstacle.

Deploying VMware ESX 3.0.x to 9th Generation Dell PowerEdge Servers

Altiris Deployment Solution 6.8 SP1 is close to releasing and when it does, contained in this build will be updated sample jobs for deploying and managing VMware Virtual Infrastructure 3.0. Check the www.altiris.com website for this soon to be released update.

Note - Contained in the .zip file are .bin files for importing into the Deployment Solution Console, a sample Kickstart file, LINLD.COM (an alternative Linux boot loader), whitepapers explaining how to import and use the jobs snapped into the Deployment Solution Console, etc.

Contained in the VI3 sample jobs is a pre-defined job for performing scripted installs of VI 3.0 (also known as ESX 3.0).

Click to view.

There is an issue when deploying this job to a 9th Generation Dell PowerEdge Server which generates the following message in the MS-DOS pre-boot environment:

Uncompressing Linux
Invalid compressed format (err=1)
-- System halted

We have reason to believe that the default Linux boot loader (LOADLIN.EXE) contained on the ESX 3.0 CD is stepping on some memory address that is being mapped or used differently on the 9th Generation Dell Servers, however the root cause has not been identified.

As a workaround, an alternative Linux boot loader (LINLD.COM) can be used. LINLD.COM is contained in the .zip file which can be downloaded from the link above. LINLD.COM has been tested on some select 8th Generation Dell Servers and we have reason to believe it should work on models older than 8th Generation Dell Servers, but would require testing to be certain.

To use the alternative Linux boot loader follow these steps:

1. Refer to the README.DOC file contained in the downloaded .zip file to successfully import the pre-defined jobs into the Deployment Solution Console, copy the ESX 3.0 source files, create a Windows Internet Information Server (IIS) HTTP or FTP virtual directory to allow the source files to be copied in a Linux environment, etc.

   Note - The ESX 3.0 source path defined in the sample job is .\Program Files\Altiris\eXpress\Deployment Server\Dell\OSSup\ESX301. This path can be changed if desired.

2. Once the jobs have been imported, highlight the *Scripted Install of VI 3.0 job in the lower left pane of the Deployment Solution Console. *Note - The asterisk "*" signifies that this job requires attention before using such as copying the ESX 3.0 source files, editing the Kickstart file, specifying which Linux boot loader to use (LOADLIN.EXE or LINLD.COM), etc.
3. Copy the LINLD.COM file obtained from the downloaded .zip file to the Altiris Deployment Server and place in the .\DOSUTILS folder of the copied ESX 3.0 source files.
4. In the upper right pane of the Deployment Solution Console, double click the 1st Run Script task labeled "Prepare HD for a Network Scripted …" as shown below.
   

   Click to view.

5. In the user modification section, find the line labeled "SET LOADLIN_TYPE=LOADLIN.EXE" and change to "SET LOADLIN_TYPE=LINLD.COM" as shown below.
   

   Click to view.

6. Click NEXT followed by clicking FINISH.

The job should be ready to be dragged and dropped to a managed server in the Deployment Solution Console.