Optimizing Dell server deployments with system build and update utility Efficient techniques for deploying multiple Dell servers in parallel with RAID configuration, BIOS settings, Firmware updates & operating system installation Vivek S Revan Biradar 1 Optmizing Dell Server Deployment – System Build & Update Utility(SBUU)
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Contents Executive Summary ................................................................................ 4 Introduction ........................................................................................ 5 SBUU in a nutshell ................................................................................. 5 Case 1 – Small-sized Labs .................................................................... 6 Procedure ..................................................................................
Executive Summary It is a monotonous and time consuming task to set up hundreds of servers across multiple generations with the latest Firmware, respective RAIDs [Configured Virtual Disks] and required Operating System (OS). Dell’s System Build & Update Utility (SBUU), decreases the human effort involved in the deployment process considerably. This document shows how an end user can utilize SBUU for deployment per their specific needs and how well the same can be scaled to multiple servers in parallel.
Introduction It is preferred in the IT world that all servers run the latest hardware to achieve the best performance. It is also preferred that these servers operate with the latest firmware to keep up with the high performance requirements. Though this may sound simple, it is not easy to achieve. With multiple operational servers on hand, it takes a lot of effort to complete the firmware updates, create separate virtual disks, and then deploy an operating system on top of it.
Figure 1.
1. To Deploy 5 servers with RHEL 5.7x32 [including hardware configuration and firmware update] 2. To Deploy 10 Servers with SLES 11 Sp2 [including hardware configuration and firmware update] 3. Procedure 1. Boot a DELL server by inserting the SBUU OpenManage DVD.
2. Under System(s) Selection, click Change and then select the list of Dell server that you want to set up. Save the settings and navigate back to the home page.
3. Make sure that the needed RAID configurations are set. 4. Make sure that the needed BMC/iDRAC/DRAC configurations are set.
5. Make sure that the needed BIOS configurations are set. 6. Update firmware by pointing the SUU package available in the network share.
7. Proceed to the Server OS Installation [SOI] and select RHEL 5.7x32.
8.
9. Select Create Auto-deployment bootable image and specify the NFS/SAMBA location to retrieve the ISO file created there.
10. Do not select the option Apply changes to current system and click Apply/Export.
Figure 2.
A customized ISO file with all the hardware settings, required firmware packages to install and the OS [RHEL5.7x32] to deploy the system is generated. This activity can be repeated on the same server with other needed servers by selecting them in the list for the Change button option. During this process, you can also select a different OS. In this case, we use SLES 11 Sp2.
Action item Given the situation that the admin has two custom SBUU ISO files on a NFS/SAMBA share that has to be used respectively on 30 Servers; a simple windows file copy coupled with multiple DVD copies can be used to deploy the servers successfully in minimal time. The key is the availability of space (~10-25GB) on the same or a different NFS/SAMBA share.
Figure 3.
Case 3 – Large-sized Labs Consider a lab having 60 Servers across multiple generations and the lab admin needs to: 1. Deploy 30 servers with RHEL 5.7x32 (including hardware configuration and firmware update) 2. Deploy 60 Servers with SLES 11 SP2 (including hardware configuration and firmware update) Procedure The Lab admin / End user can follow the optimized procedure shown below using a SBUU DVD to complete the setup. Repeat Steps 1 to 10 as outlined in case 1.
Figure 4.
Time Saving quotient Manual deployment time This includes the time involved in popping the OS DVD in each and every intended server and going through the entire deployment exercise step by step. SBUU deployment time This includes popping the SBUU DVD once in any DELL server, generating a custom DVD and utilizing the same for the unattended installation on all the target servers. Figure 5. 1:1 - SBUU Deployment Time Vs. Manual Deployment Time: 1:1 Using SBUU deployment for a single server 1.
Table 1. 1:1 - Time Stamp Manual Vs.
Table 2. 1:N - Time Stamp Manual Vs.
Case Study: Deploying 5 Servers - SBUU Real Time Deployment vs. Manual Deployment Time Figure 7. 1:N – Case Study - Manual deployment Vs. SBUU Deployment 1:N Using SBUU 1:N deployment, Time taken to deploy 5 servers = 7.18 Hrs Using SBUU 1:N deployment, Time taken to deploy 5 servers = 13.42 Hrs Table 3. 1:N – Case Study - Time Stamp Manual vs.
Summary 1. Dell server deployment using SBUU for both 1:1 and 1: N saves half the time or man hours that are actually needed. It also includes only 19% of human intervention. 2. SBUU along with the support from SUU is a one-stop shop for firmware update, hardware configurations along with OS installation. Learn more Visit http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/software/smsbu/1_2/en/index.htm for more information on System Build and update utility (SBUU).
