Deployment Solution for Dell Servers gives IT administrators an unprecedented amount of power in deploying and managing their Dell Servers. Over the lifetime of the Deployment Solution for Dell Servers product, features have been refined, functionality has been added and issues have been resolve resulting in a powerful framework for customization of your Dell Server processes.
This article is a one-stop resource tying together all the knowledge from separate articles for DS for Dell in a categorical manner to get you on your feet quick, and deploying confidently.
Table of Contents:
I.Getting Started
II.Refining the Skills
III.Special Tasks
1.Power Control
2.Writing Custom scripts
3.Partitioning
4.Custom Deployment options
5.RAID configuration
6.Remote Accessibility
7.Linux Preboot
IV.Conclusion
I. Getting Started
Learning a new piece of software is often a challenge. Luckily, Deployment Solution for Dell Servers has these excellent videos that demonstrate how to install and use the basic features of the product:
https://www-secure.symantec.com/connect/articles/deployment-solution-dell-servers-demo-videos
These videos are a great springboard to getting the product installed and getting your first servers deployed and configured using the DTK (Dell Toolkit). The DTK is the workhorse for all hardware configuration specific to Dell Servers.
In addition, this article is a very excellent read on how Deployment Solution for Dell Servers manages hardware configurations, a must if you plan to do a lot of BIOS/DRAC, BMC or RAID configuration. https://www-secure.symantec.com/connect/articles/managing-hardware-configuration-files-deployment-solution-dell-servers-30
It is also good to become acquainted with the Altiris Knowledgebase: http://kb.altiris.com and specifically, the Release Notes posted on the knowledgebase: http://kb.altiris.com/article.asp?article=46219&p=1
The release notes contains important information regarding DTK support, current issues and resolutions to many of those issues.
Deployment Solution for Dell Servers is an add-on to Altiris Deployment Solution. Here is the link to their release notes where you can find any issues relating to the "Core" product.
http://kb.altiris.com/article.asp?article=42696&p=1
Note: Remember, Deployment Solution for Dell Servers 3.1 SP2 is supported only on Deployment Solution 6.9 SP1.
II. Refining the skills
As you become better acquainted with the product, these two "Miscellaneous Tips and tricks" articles will be invaluable time savers and teach important concepts.
Miscellaneous tips and tricks using Deployment Solution for Dell Servers 3 (Part I)
https://www-secure.symantec.com/connect/articles/miscellaneous-tips-and-tricks-using-deployment-solution-dell-servers-3
Miscellaneous Tips and tricks using Deployment Solution for Dell Servers 3 ( Part II)
https://www-secure.symantec.com/connect/articles/miscellaneous-tips-and-tricks-using-deployment-solution-dell-servers-3-part-ii
III. Special Tasks
1. Power Control
Having the ability to control the power state of hundreds of machines in a remote location is certainly a powerful feature. A basic overview of power control is covered on page 26 of the documentation which can be found from the DS Console by going to Tools->Dell Help. In addition, an in depth article has been written concerning power control and can be found at https://www-secure.symantec.com/connect/articles/power-control-options-under-deployment-solution-dell-servers-31-explained
Since DS for Dell utilizes the impiutil tools to perform IPIMI actions, the following links are very useful:
How to do SOL (Serial Over LAN aka Console Redirection) on Dell Servers
https://www-secure.symantec.com/connect/articles/how-do-sol-serial-over-lan-aka-console-redirection-dell-servers
The IPMI project website
http://ipmiutil.sourceforge.net/
2. Writing Custom Scripts
The ability to write a script to do any action is what makes Deployment Solution for Dell Servers an excellent development platform for deployment. The following articles will be particularly useful to any power user wanting to create custom scripts:
How to Configure DRACs without Booting to Automation and Other Useful Tips
https://www-secure.symantec.com/connect/articles/how-configure-dracs-without-booting-automation-and-other-useful-tips
How to manually run the Deployment Toolkit Tools in automation:
https://www-secure.symantec.com/connect/articles/how-manually-run-deployment-toolkit-tools-automation
How to use DS for Dell advanced logging in your own custom scripts
https://www-secure.symantec.com/connect/articles/how-use-ds-dell-advanced-logging-your-own-custom-scripts
Monitor your server's values in real time
https://www-secure.symantec.com/connect/blogs/monitor-your-servers-sensor-values-real-time
Add the Power of Python to WinPE preboot environment
https://www-secure.symantec.com/connect/articles/add-power-python-winpe
Add the Power of Python to the Linux preboot environment
https://www-secure.symantec.com/connect/articles/how-manually-run-deployment-toolkit-tools-automation
Using the Example DTK scripts in Deployment Solution for Dell Servers 3+
https://www-secure.symantec.com/connect/articles/using-example-dtk-scripts-deployment-solution-dell-servers-3
Using a Conditional Branch according to a parent folder in a script:
https://www-secure.symantec.com/connect/downloads/using-conditional-branch-according-parent-folder-script
Linux preboot scripts are usually written in bash. If you are new to bash scripting and are looking to use the Linux preboot as your custom script platform, the following resources are very helpful:
Bash Guide for beginners:
http://tille.garrels.be/training/bash/
String manipulation in bash:
http://www.faqs.org/docs/abs/HTML/string-manipulation.html
3. Partitioning
Sometimes custom partitioning is in order, and this can be a complicated process especially if you want to using Dell utility partitions. The following article walks you though the easiest way to perform custom partitioning using the tools provided in Deployment Solution for Dell Servers: https://www-secure.symantec.com/connect/articles/how-perform-custom-partitioning-deployment-solution-dell-servers
4. Custom Scripted OS install options
Tweaking a scripted OS install to do specifically what you want can sometimes be difficult. Here are some resources to help you in your quest.
Tips and Tricks for using the Job Builder for OS Deployment
https://www-secure.symantec.com/connect/articles/tips-and-tricks-using-job-builder-os-deployment
Windows Server 2008 scripted OS install help
https://www-secure.symantec.com/connect/articles/scripted-windows-server-2008-deployment-deployment-solution-dell-servers-v31
Deployment Solution for Dell Servers can utilized the $OEM structure in the OS sources files to deploy software for Microsoft Operating systems. These OS source files are usually found under Dell\OSSup in the eXpress share. If you plan on slipstreaming software or files using the $OEM structure, this Microsoft website is very useful:
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc977168.aspx
5. RAID Configuration
Deployment Solution for Dell Servers has very powerful RAID configuration capabilities The documentation (available through the console Tools->Dell Help) contains some excellent examples of how to use Rule Base raid configurations, and how to clone raid configurations; see pages 18-22. In addition, some articles have been written concerning the subject
Managing hardware configuration files (for cloning raid)
https://www-secure.symantec.com/connect/articles/managing-hardware-configuration-files-deployment-solution-dell-servers-30
Rule Based RAID In Depth - Part 1: Creating RAID Rules
https://www-secure.symantec.com/connect/articles/rule-based-raid-depth-part-1-creating-raid-rules
Rule Based RAID In Depth - Part 2: Controller Matching Modes
https://www-secure.symantec.com/connect/articles/rule-based-raid-depth-part-2-controller-matching-modes
6. Remote Accessibility
Being able to access a machine remotely is must have feature for many setups. Dell Remote Access Cards of course have a built-in webserver through which many remote access tasks can be performed including console redirection. For additional scenarios, the following links are very useful for setting up out-of-band and inband remote access.
All About Remote Desktop/VNC with Deployment Solution for Dell Servers
https://www-secure.symantec.com/connect/articles/all-about-remote-desktopvnc-deployment-solution-dell-servers
How to do SOL (Serial Over LAN aka Console Redirection) on Dell Servers
https://www-secure.symantec.com/connect/articles/how-do-sol-serial-over-lan-aka-console-redirection-dell-servers
7. Linux Preboot
The Linux preboot is one of the most powerful features of Deployment Solution for Dell Servers. If you would like to compile custom kernel modules or drivers for it, this article explains how to do this:
https://www-secure.symantec.com/community/article/723/compiling-drivers-for-linux-and-adding-them-to-your-linux-automation-image-updated
If it is just software you are looking to compile for the preboot, use this article:
https://www-secure.symantec.com/connect/articles/compile-software-linux-automation-ds-69
Other resources:
Linux Automation Scripting Tips and Tricks
https://www-secure.symantec.com/connect/articles/linux-automation-scripting-tips-and-tricks
IV. Conclusion
By utilizing these tools you can build an irreplaceable deployment, management and configuration infrastructure that will save time and money in your IT environment. The goal is to have a one-stop shop for resources useful to Deployment Solution for Dell Servers so feel free to post comments on resources that you have found useful in your own scenarios.