Headless Windows

Executive Summary
Users of Microsoft Windows Server 2003 are very familiar with the setup, installation, and
operation of systems using a keyboard, video, and mouse. These users may not be familiar
with the robust set of headless functionality that is provided by HP Integrity servers running
Windows Server 2003.
Integrity servers provide a complete set of tools to setup, install, manage, and use the
system in a true headless fashion. The benefits of headless servers are many.
• Elimination of the last remnant of legacy hardware
• Simpler to reconfigure partitions
• Easier to deploy and maintain
• Prepare for future fine-grained partitioning
Windows on Integrity can be installed using several flexible headless installation methods
that match a full range of user scenarios. Once the system is installed, all interaction is
through the Remote Desktop. Remote Desktop provides the best user interface experience
to a Windows system without the complexities related to a full Terminal Services
deployment. The GUI resolution, color depth, and mouse interaction outperformsany other
remote GUI method.
Why Headless?
Integrity servers are built on an inherently legacy-free architecture. By building on this
legacy–free foundation, systems are more stable in addition to being easier to configure
and maintain.
What is a Headless System?
Headless systems are those that do not have legacy VGA or legacy PS/2 keyboard/mouse
hardware. A system with these hardware devices is not strictly headless since these
devices will be detected by Windows and drivers will be loaded for them. A system with
the A6869A Graphics USB card is not headless even if there is no monitor, keyboard, or
mouse connected. This means that the advantages of a completely legacy-free system
will not be fully available. For example, a PCI card with hardware related to the head,
such as the A6869A, cannot be hot-plugged. However, users can still take advantage of
some of the benefits of interacting with a system using headless methods.
Benefits of Headless Systems
VGA hardware is the last legacy piece of hardware in Integrity systems. By eliminating this
device, a system is much easier to setup, maintain, and operate.
The presence of VGA hardware restricts the ease of repartitioning of cellular systems.
Because of the legacy hardware requirements of VGA, there are very specific rules for the
IO slot location of the graphics card. As partitions are changed or created, the presence
of this card in an IO chassis can create configurations that are invalid. This causes
customer confusion and can require that the graphics card and other cards be moved. If
an IO card connected to the boot drive has to be moved, this can cause the currently
installed OS to fail to boot.
As the system is powering on, much of the hardware must be initialized and configured
before the IO path to the graphics card can be used. This delays the display of the
firmware forward progress messages. All of these messages are immediately visible through
the headless port giving more visibility into the state of the system.
Customers can simplify their data center by avoiding the deployment or expansion of their
console switch environment. The cabling and rack mount monitors complicate the