Dell Systems Build and Update Utility Version 1.6 User Manual

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Dell Systems Build and

Update Utility

Version 1.6

User’s Guide

Notes

NOTE: A NOTE indicates important information that helps you make better use of

your computer.

___________________

Reproduction of these materials in any manner whatsoever without the written permission of Dell Inc. is strictly forbidden.

Trademarks used in this text: Dell™, the DELL™ logo, PowerEdge™, and OpenManage™ are trademarks of Dell Inc. Microsoft registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. VMware is a registered trademark of VMware, Inc. in the United States and/or other jurisdictions. SUSE registered trademark of Novell, Inc. in the United States and other countries. Citrix are either trademarks or registered trademarks of Citrix Systems, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries. Red Hat U.S. and other countries.

Other trademarks and trade names may be used in this publication to refer to either the entities claiming the marks and names or their products. Dell Inc. disclaims any proprietary interest in trademarks and trade names other than its own.

2011-03

and Red Hat Enterprise Linux® are registered trademarks of Red Hat, Inc. in the

, Windows®, and Windows Server®, are either trademarks or

and XenServer®

is a

Contents

1Overview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

About This Document . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Dell SBUU Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Who Should Read This Document? How Will This Document Help Me?

. . . . . . . . . 5

How Do I Use This Document?. . . . . . . . . . . . 5

What’s New in This Release

. . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Features of the Previous Release . . . . . . . . . . 7

Function Overview

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Before You Begin Using SBUU

Prerequisites and Requirements Generic Prerequisites and Requirements

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

. . . . . . . . . . . 8

. . . . . . 8

Server Operating System Installation

Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Firmware Update Requirements

. . . . . . . . . . . 9

Hardware Configuration Requirements . . . . . . 10

Supported Operating Systems Supported Sy stems

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Other Documents You May Need How Do I Get Technical Assistance?

. . . . . . . . . . . 10

. . . . . . . . . . . . 10

. . . . . . . . . . 11

Contents 3

2 Launching SBUU . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

3 Using SBUU . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Using SBUU in Different Scenarios . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Updating Your System Firmware Configuring Your System Hardware

. . . . . . . . . . 19

. . . . . . . . 20

Installing the Operating System . . . . . . . . . . 23

Deploying Your Current "Bare-Metal" Dell System

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Deploying More Than One System With the

Same Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

Deploying More Than One System With Slightly

Different Configurations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

Deploying Multiple Sy stems of Different Models

. 30

Deploying Multiple Sy stems With the Same Configuration for Different Operating Systems . . 32

Creating Bootable USB

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

4 Important Information and Frequently

Asked Questions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

4 Contents

Firmware Update . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

Important Information

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

Frequently Asked Questions . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

Hardware Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

Server Operating System Installation

Important Information

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

Frequently Asked Questions

. . . . . . . . . . 41

. . . . . . . . . . . . 41

Overview

This chapter provides details on the information available in this document and where to find the required information. It also provides an overview of System Build and Update Utility (SBUU) and the prerequisites for using SBUU.

About This Document

It is strongly recommended that you read the current chapter before proceeding.

Who Should Read This Document?

This document is for system administrators who are responsible for deploying and updating Dell powered systems in their organizations.

How Will This Document Help Me?

This document introduces you to SBUU, and includes best practices on how to make the product effective in helping you streamline your deployment and update procedures for Dell systems.

• If you are a first-time user of this product, this document will help you set up your systems prior to, while, and after using

• If you are an existing user of understand how to leverage the utility modules in an interlinked manner to create a customized deployment media.

SBUU

, this document will help you

SBUU

How Do I Use This Document?

This document helps you set up your Dell systems to use SBUU effectively and efficiently and provides an overview of the various modules o f SBUU and the possible scenarios in which you might use them. However, it does not cover all scenarios and possibilities. Forspecific information on Dell products whose functionalists are now provided by SBUU, see "Other Documents You May Need" on page 10.

Overview 5

Depending on the Dell systems you want to deploy, redeploy or update, it is recommended that you use the document as follows.

Table 1-1. Organization of Information in This Guide

Topics For Dell systems

Information on this document, its intended audience, purpose, and organization

Overview of functionalists it offers

What you need before proceeding to use

SBUU and what

SBUU and where to get other information

that you may need while using this utility Important information about launching

the Systems Build and Update Utility and pointers to user scenarios

Possible scenarios in which you can use

"About This Document" on page 5

"Dell SBUU Overview" on page7

"Before You Begin Using SBUU" on page 8

"Launching SBUU" on page 13

"Using SBUU" on page 17

SBUU

Important information and frequently asked questions (FAQs) about the Firmware Update module

Important information and FAQs about the Hardware Configuration module

Important information and FAQs about the Server Operating System Installation module

"Firmware Update" on page 37

"Hardware Configuration" on page38

"Server Operating System Installation" on page 41

6 Overview

Dell SBUU Overview

This section provides an overview of the Systems Build and Update Utility (SBUU). This chapter helps you understand the functionalities that SBUU provides to update and deploy your Dell systems.

SBUU is an integrated tool for deployment and update of your Dell systems. It has modules such as Server OS Installation, Firmware Update, and Hardware Configuration. These modules enable you to update BIOS and firmware in the pre-operating system environment, apply these settings on the current system or on multiple systems, and install the operating system.

What’s New in This Release

Support for:

• VMware ESX 4.0 U3

• VMware ESXi 4.0 U3

• VMware ESX 4.1 U1

• VMware ESXi 4.1 U1

• Citrix XenServer 5.6 FP1

• Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2 x64 SP1

• Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2011

• Universal Server Configurator (USC) Transition

Function Overview

Table 1-2 lists SBUU functions to deploy and update your Dell systems.

Table 1-2. Dell SBUU Functions

You Want To Go To

Update your system firmware (Baseboard Management Controller [BMC], Dell Remote Access Controller [DRAC], Redundant Array of Independent Disks [RAID]) and BIOS in a pre-operating system environment.

Configure your system hardware. "Configuring Your System Hardw are" on

"Updating Your System Firmware" on page 19

page 20

Overview 7

Table 1-2. Dell SBUU

You Want To Go To

Install an operating system on your system.

Create customized bootable media to deploy multiple systems (different platforms) of your choice

Functions

(continued)

"Installing the Operating System" on page 23

"Using SBUU in Different Scenarios" on page 19

Before You Begin Using SBUU

This section lists the prerequisites for using SBUU and where to get other information that you may need while using this utility.

Prerequisites and Requirements

Dell system with:

• Minimum memory of 512 MB

•DVD drive

Generic Prerequisites and Requirements

• Two Network File System (NFS) or Samba multiple network shares. If you do not have network connectivity for the system you are deploying, ensure that you have multiple USB keys.

• If you are planning to deploy multiple systems using is recommended that you create a multi-system configuration file (

.csv

file) that contains information about all your systems on your network. Information includes the service tag, host name, IP addresses, subnet mask, operating system(s) ISO file name(s), product keys, DRAC IP address, and Domain Name System (DNS) IP addresses. Save this file on a common network share or a USB key.

SBUU

does not validate the file but uses it during actual deployment. When you want to apply your customized bootable media on a group of similar systems,

SBUU

prompts you to browse and locate the multi-

system configuration file.

SBUU

, it

8 Overview

• A common network share or a USB key for the following actions: – Export your configuration – Save your customizable bootable image

• A common network share or a USB key to save your customized bootable image.

• A common network share to save logs for each system on your network share. These logs can be a useful reference if you want to troubleshoot any problem your systems might have encountered during deployment.

Server Operating System Installation Requirements

• Operating system media or a network share or a USB key on which to save the operating system ISO image.

•

Dell Systems Management Tools and Documentation

install Dell OpenManage System Administrator). This is not applicable for Dell PowerEdge SC systems.

•Basic knowledge of RAID.

• If you are using SBUU image downloaded from the support site and you want to install Microsoft Windows Server 2008, Windows OS Install Support P ack.

DVD (if you want to

Firmware Update Requirements

Either of the following:

•DVD drive and

• A network share with the Server Update Utility content and knowledge of sett i n g u p t h e N FS or Microsoft Windows

Dell Server Updates

DVD

share.

Hardware Configuration Requirements

•Basic knowledge of BIOS,

RAID, BMC, and DRAC.

USC Transition

Insert the your media drive.

The boot menu is displayed.

Dell Systems Management Tools and Documentat ion

DVD in

Overview 9

Press <F3>. The

Advanced Options window/screen

Select

USCBOOT

NOTE: USC boot is supported only on 11g or later systems.

NOTE: Ensure that iDRAC6/BMC and uEFI BIOS is preset and configured, and

System Services and IMPI are enabled.

On 11g or later systems, you have an option to use USC or continue with SBUU.

to reboot the system to USC.

is displayed.

How Do I Get Technical Assistance?

If at any time you do not understand a procedure described in this guide or if your product does not perform as expected, help tools are available to assist you. For more information about these help tools, see "Getting Help" in your system's Hardware Owner's Manual.

Additionally, Dell Enterprise Training and Certification is available. See www.dell.com/training for more information. This service may not be offered in all locations.

Overview 11

12 Overview

Launching SBUU

To launch SBUU locally:

Insert the Dell Systems Management Tools and Documentation your system drive.

Reboot your system. The boot menu screen appears.

To launch SBUU on a remote system:

In the Dell Remote Access Controller (DRAC) 4, DRAC 5, or iDRAC, click the

The

Ensure that the attribute for

Specify the location of the To access the location of

Dell Systems Management Tools and Documentation

system drive location or browse to identify the appropriate.

Media

tab.

Virtual Media

NOTE: If the Virtual Media Active X Control is not installed on the system,

you are prompted to install it before you proceed.

screen appears.

Attach/Detach Status

ISO Image File

SBUU

bootable media or the ISO image of the

DVD, select your

ISO Image File

Attached

DVD in

, as

Click

Connect

The

Virtual Media Status

Management Tools and Documentation

host system.

Click

Power Management

screen appears indicating that the

Dell Systems

media is now connected to your

Launching SBUU 13

To boot the host system with the Systems Build and Update media, select

Power Cycle System

Click

Console

The

Console Redirection

Click

Connect

under

Power Control Operations

, and click

screen appears.

You can now access the boot menu screen on your host system from your client system and proceed to use

Figure 2-1. Boot Menu Screen

SBUU

remotely.

Apply

14 Launching SBUU

Table 2-1 lists the options and their descriptions available on this screen.

Table 2-1. Boot Menu Options

Boot Menu Option Action

Dell SBUU Takes you to the Dell Systems Build and Update Utility

Home screen.

Optical Media (CD/DVD) Check

Skip Optical Media (CD/DVD) Boot - Boot to Hard Drive

DTK Command Line Interface (Linux)

Checks if the Dell Systems Management Tools and Documentation DVD you inserted has any errors.

Enables you to boot from your system hard drive.

Takes you to the Deployment T ool Kit (DTK) C ommand Line Interface (only on systems running Linux).

NOTE: This option is not available on Dell PowerEdge SC

sy stems.

F1 Help Takes you to the navigation help. F2 Language Enables you to choose the language. F3 Advanced Options Activates the DT K Command Line Inte rface (Linux) option.

NOTE: This option is not available on Dell PowerEdge SC

sy stems.

You may want to use SBUU in any of the following possible scenarios:

• "Updating Your System Firmware" on page 19

• "Configuring Your System Hardware" on page20

• "Installing the Operating System" on page23

• "Deploying Your Current "Bare-Metal" Dell System" on page 25

• "Deploying More Than One System With the Same Configuration" on page 28

• "Deploying More Than One System With Slightly Different Configurations" on page 30

• "Deploying Multiple Systems of Different Models" on page30

• "Deploying Multiple Systems W ith the Same Configuration for Different Operating Systems" on page 32

• "Reusing Configuration Files" on page 35

Launching SBUU 15

16 Launching SBUU

Using SBUU

This chapter describes the flexibility that SBUU offers to deploy and update your systems and also the various scenarios in which you can use SBUU. SBUU offers the following options:

•

Choice of configuration:

requirement, you can configure all three of the modules (

Update Installation

•

Choice of when to apply the configuration:

configuration of your choice immediately or save it by using the

Apply/Export Configuration

•

Choice of configuring systems:

in multiple systems or multiple systems of different models.

– You can perform the following deployment/update operations on your

– You can perform the following deployment or update operations for

Hardware Configuration

), any one of the modules, or a combination of the modules.

SBUU

allows you to deploy and update your current system and/or

current system:

• apply firmware updates

• configure hardware (BIOS, DRAC, RAID, and so on)

• install an operating system

• launch post-operating system install scripts

multiple systems:

• export the configuration scripts (for all three modules or a combination of your choice) for future use.

• generate a bootable image that contains, among others, the update packages for specific generation(s) of system(s), applicable hardware configuration scripts (BIOS, DRAC, R AID, and so on), operating system installation details and link to the source CD/DVDs on the network, and launch points to install the operating system.

Depending on your deployment and update

Firmware

, and

Server Operating System

You can either apply the

feature.

The

Apply/Export Configuration

feature

Using SBUU 17

•

Choice of creating bootable media:

You can create bootable media for a set of systems you select and then use the same media to boot each system in the set. If you select the USB drive as the destination for the image, SBUU

gives you the option to make the USB device bootable and directly

boot the system with the device.

•

Unattended update and deployment:

When you boot your system using the bootable media (CD/DVD/USB drive), the scripts on the bootable media you created apply the firmware updates, apply the hardware configuration, and finally install the operating system, as applicable. All through this update and deployment process, you are not prompted for any information, making this an unattended update and deployment of your system.

NOTE: Content Manager is no longer available on the

Tools and Documentation Dell Systems Management Tools and Documentation

Repository Manager that can be downloaded from support.dell.com.

DVD. To access Content Manager, use version 5.5 of the

Dell Systems Management

DVD. You can also use

18 Using SBUU

Using SBUU in Different Scenarios

This section describes some of the possible scenarios in which you can use SBUU. These scenarios are meant to give you an idea on how to effectively use SBUU. They are not necessarily the only ways to use this tool nor are they the only scenarios in which you can use this tool.

It is recommended that at any point during your update and deployment process, you see the online help for details about a particula r sc reen.

Updating Your System Firmware

If you have purchased a newly released Dell PowerEdge system, it is likely to have the latest firmware. However, if more than a quarter has passed since the release of your system, you may have to update the firmware.

On the

Configure

left pane. The

Specify the location where your update files repository resides. For details, see "Firmware Update" on page 37. For more details on repository selection, see the online help.

If you want to compare your system component status with a different version of the Server Update Utility, provide the location of the Server Update Utility on the

Dell Systems Build and Update Utility Home

against

Repository Selection

Firmware Update

screen of the

Repository Selection screen.

or click

Firmware Updat

Firmware Update

screen, click

on the

e module appears.

Click

Continue

The

Firmware Update

report on t he This screen displays a comparison of the currently installed version of each

component on the existing system with the repository component version for the same system. It also indicates the components that you need to upgrade and those that you can downgrade.

NOTE: The OM_FRMW_LX_R241387.BIN component provides an update for

Dell Embedded OMSA on VMware embedded ESXi 4.x hypervisor. Select this only if the server has ESXi 4.x. After installing this component, enable CIM

inventories your system and generates a comparison

Comparison Report

screen.

Using SBUU 19

OEM providers before accessing it. For more information on how to enable CIM OEM providers, see the

6.2 Installation Guide

NOTE: You can selectively upgrade components depending on your

requirement. However, you cannot perform selective downgrades.

Select any components that you might want to upgrade and click

Build and Update Utility Home

NOTE: SBUU saves the information about the repository and the selections

you made on the Comparison Report screen. These updates are applied during the actual deployment.

To update your current system, click

Systems Build and Update Utility Home

The

Configure Apply /Export Options

Select the

Apply/Export

Apply Configuration to Current System

Dell OpenManage Server Administrator Version

at support.dell.com/manuals.

Apply/Export Configuration

screen.

screen appears.

option and click

Systems

on the

The progress bar appears after which your system reboots with the firmware updates configured.

NOTE: For more information on the specific Firmware Update screens and what

you can do on each screen, see the

Systems Build and Update Utility

online help.

Configuring Your System Hardware

On Your Current System

On the against

Systems Build and Update Utility Home Hardware Configuration

or click

Hardware Configuration

screen, click

left pane. The

Configuration Status Summary

To configure the components (RAID, DRAC, BIOS, and so on), click the

screen appears.

individual component buttons. Component screens appear, on which you can configure various

components.

NOTE: If you configure RAID manually and use SBUU to install an operating

system on a master system, you need to manually configure RAID on the target system as well.

20 Using SBUU

Configure

on the

After you configure fields on each component screen and before you navigate away from the screen, click

to Configuration Summary

On the

Back to Home Page

On the click

The

Configuration Status Summary

Systems Build and Update Utility Home

Apply/Export Configuration

Configure Apply/Export Options

Configuration to Current System

Save Settings

screen, click

and then click

Save Settings and Go

screen,

screen appears with the

option selected, by default.

Go Back

Apply

You can export the hardware configuration for later use by selecting

Configuration

Click

Apply/Export

Export

A progress bar appears indicating that the configuration changes you saved in step 3 are being applied to your system. After the changes are applied, your system reboots automatically and is ready for use with the updated configuration.

For Multiple Systems

On the against

The

Select the system(s) on which you want to deploy the hardware

Systems Build and Update Utility Home System(s) Selection

Select System(s)

on the left pane.

screen appears.

screen, click

Change

configuration you specify.

NOTE: To generate a bootable ISO image to deploy a hardware configuration

to multiple systems, you must select all the required systems on the Select System(s) screen even if they are of the same model as your current sy stem on which you are running SBUU.

Click

Save Settings

The

Systems Build and Update Utility Home

selected systems under

System(s) Selection

screen reappears listing the

Click

Configure

Configuration

The

Configuration Status Summary

against

Hardware Configuration

on the left pane.

screen appears.

Hardware

Using SBUU 21

To configure the components (RAID, DRAC, BIOS, and so on), click the individual component buttons.

Component screens appear on which you can configur e various components.

After you configure fields on each component screen, click and then click

On the

Go Back to Home Page

On the click

Apply/Export Configuration

The

Configure Apply/Export Options

Auto-Deployment Bootable Image

Go Back to Configuration Summary

Configuration Status Summary

Systems Build and Update Utility Home

screen, click

screen appears with the

option selected, by default.

screen,

Save Settings

Save Settings and

Create

You can export the hardware configuration for later use by selecting

Configuration

Click

Destination

bootable ISO image. The

ISO Save Location

Specify the location and click

Click

Apply/Export

The ISO image is generated and saved in the location you specified in the preceding step. If the destination you specified is not a bootable USB key, burn the ISO image using any CD/DVD burning software application on to a CD or a DVD.

Boot the selected systems with the bootable media you created.

The deployment starts automatically and you are not prompted for any inputs. The system reboots as and when required until the selected systems are ready with the updated configuration.

to provide the location where you want to save the

screen appears.

Continue

Export

22 Using SBUU

Installing the Operating System

On the against left pane.

The

Make the required changes and click The

Select the appropriate operating system, choose whether you want to create a utility partition, and click

For this procedure, let us assume that you select the Microsoft Windows Server 2003 R2 operating system and choose to create a utilitypartition.

The

Indicate whether you want to apply the RAID configuration that you specified while configuring your system hardware in the

Configuration

system and click The

screen

Systems Build and Update Utility Home Server OS Installation

Set the Date and Time

NOTE: If you want to install ESXi Flash or HDD, insert an SD card or USB key.

or click

Server OS Installation

screen appears.

Continue

Select an Operating System to Install

Continue

NOTE: The utility partition does not have DOS-based RAID tools.

Select RAID Configuration

screen appears.

screen, click

screen appears.

Hardware

module or retain the existing RAID configuration on your

Continue

Configure the Disk P arti tion for Microsoft Windows Server 2003 R2

appears.

Configure

on the

Select the file system for boot partition, enter the size of the virtual disk available, and click

The

Network Adapter(s) Configuration

Enter the appropriate information about the network adapters on your system. Click

Enter Configuration Information for Microsoft Windows Server

The

2003 R2

Fill in the appropriate fields and click The

Click

screen appears.

Operating System Installation Summary

Back

to change settings if required.

Continue

screen appears.

Continue

screen appears.

Using SBUU 23

You can also save your configuration and export it for later use by clicking

Go Back to Home Page

. In this case, continue the current procedure from

step 9. To apply the configuration on your system immediately, click

Apply Now

In this case, continue the current procedure from step 11.

NOTE: The Apply Now option is enabled only if you have not selected any

system on the Select System (s) screen.

In the

Systems Build and Update Utility Home

click

Apply/Export Configuration

The

Configure Apply/Export Options

Configuration to Current System

screen appears with the

option selected, by default. You can

screen that appears,

Apply

export the operating system installation configuration for later use by

selecting Click

The

Export Configuration

Apply/Export

Script Generation Progress

screen appears indicating that the

configuration is being saved.

If you selected the option to install the Dell OpenManage Server Administrator on the

Windows Server 2003 R2

Administrator CD or the Server Administrator

Insert the operating system CD/DVD when prompted. SBUU

copies the operating system files to your system and launches the

Enter Configuration Information for Microsoft

screen, specify the location of either the Server

.exe

file on your system.

operating system installer. Your system may reboot multiple times.

NOTE: If you are using the SBUU iso image downloaded from

support.dell.com and installing Microsoft Windows Server 2008 32-bit or 64bit, and Windows Small Business Server 2011, download Windows OS Install Support Pack package from the support site. Create your own optical media from the Windows OS Install Support Pack package and make it available to SBUU when prompted.

The operating system is installed and is ready to install Server Administrator. The files to install Server Administrator are saved on the system and the Install Server Administrator icon is saved on the desktop.

24 Using SBUU

Bare Metal

System

Save

Config

Save

Config

Save

Config

Apply

Updates

System

Reboots

System applies

H/W Config

System

Reboots

System

Installs OS

Multisystem

Config files

applied

Apply

H/W

Config

Export Config

Specify

Path

SOI

Yes Yes Yes

Yes

NoNoNo

Config to be applied later

Firmware

Update

Deploying Your Current "Bare-Metal" Dell System

In this scenario, you can see how to update and deploy your current system.

Using SBUU 25

Update your system firmware, if required. For

details on the

Firmware Update

, see "Firmware Update" on page 37. F or details on how to use the F irmwar e Update module, see step1 through step 4 under "Updating Your System Firmware" on page 19.

Configure your system hardware and make sure you click

Save Settings

before you navigate away from a component screen. For details on the Hardware Configuration module, see "Hardware

Configuration" on page 38. For details on how to use the Hardware Configuration module, see "Configuring Your System Hardware" on page 20.

NOTE: Ensure that you configure RAID to proceed beyond the Configure RAID

screen in the Configure Server Operating System Installation module.

Click

Configure

Update Utility Home

against

or click

Server OS Installation

on the

Systems Build and

on the left pane to

proceed with configuring your system operating system installation. For details on the Server OS Installation, see "Important Information and

Frequently Asked Questions" on page37. For details on how to use the Server OS Installation module, see "Installing the Operating System" on page 23.

When you have completed configuring the three modules, you can view, edit, or reset the configuration for the modules by clicking the or

Reset

options, respectively.

On the

Configuration

The

Systems Build and Update Utility Home,

Configure Apply/Export Options

screen appears.

click

View, Edit

Apply/Export

Provide your inputs as required and click

NOTE: You can choose to configure the multi-system configuration file so that

system settings are taken from this file.

NOTE: You can check the Exit on Failure option so that SBUU exits when a

failure occurs. If this option is not selected, in case of any failure during actual deployment, SBUU proceeds to the next module operation. However, this may cause your system to become unstable. Clear the Exit on Failure option only if you are sure that the failure is known and will not adversely affect your system.

26 Using SBUU

Continue

NOTE: For more information on the specific fields on the Select Options

screen, see the Dell Syste ms Build and Update Utility online help.

The progress screen appears, after which the unattended update or deployment begins. If you have provided updates to your system firmware, the firmware update begins, using the configuration you saved. If any of the firmware updates requires a system reboot, your system reboots automatically. Then, SBUU continues with hardware configuration and operating system installation, as per your configuration. This completes your current system update and deployment. Your system is ready with all the required settings, configurations, and updates and the operating system installed.

Using SBUU 27

Deploying More Than One System With the Same Configuration

In this scenario, you can deploy more than one supported system with the same configuration (that is, having the same cards, controllers, hard drive, memory, and so on), for example, 50 Dell PowerEdge R710 systems.

28 Using SBUU

On the against

The

Select

Systems Build and Update Utility Home System(s) Selection

Select System(s)

NOTE: Ensure that you click Select Systems so that the option to save the

ISO image (Create Auto-deployment Bootable Image) is enabled on the Select Options screen.

PowerEdge R710

on the left pane.

screen appears.

(for this example) from the Supported Systems

screen, click

Change

list and click the right arrow.

Click

Save Settings

Home

screen.

To configure the Systems Build and Update Utility modules, follow step 1

and return to the

Systems Build and Update Utility

through step 4 in "Deploying Your Current "Bare-Metal" Dell System" on page 25.

On the click

The

Select the

Destination

Systems Build and Update Utility Home

Apply/Export Configuration

Configure Apply/Export Options

screen appears.

Create Auto-deployment Bootable Image

to specify the location where you want to save the ISO image.

screen,

option and click

You can also export the configuration you saved in the preceding steps to a location of your choice.

On the save the ISO image and click

ISO Save Location

screen, specify the location where you want to

Continue

If you choose USB as the location, you can also make the USB key bootable. See the online help for details.

The

Configure Apply/Export Options

Click

Apply/Export

screen appears.

The ISO image is created.

You can create a bootable media (CD/DVD) or use the bootable USB key to boot the systems that you want to update or deploy.

Using SBUU 29

Deploying More Than One System With Slightly Different Configurations

In this scenario, you can see how to deploy more than one supported system with slightly different configurations. For example, you can configure 50 PowerEdge R710 systems but the systems may have different cards, controllers, hard drives, memory, and so on. However, for the update and deployment to work as in the preceding scenario, the following conditions must be met:

• the same type of controller that is configured must be pr esent, whether the controller is onboard or in the slot. For controllers in slot, the controller must be on the same slot as configured.

• the configured RAID level must be supported by the existing controller. Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) 5 and SAS 6 controllers require a minimum of 2 disks.

• the configured RAID policy must be supported by the current controller.

• the number of disks must be the same or mor e .

• the disk sizes are the same or more.

• the available disks must be of the same type. For example, a mix of SAS, small computer system interface (SCSI), and Solid State Disk (SSD) will not be supported.

Once the above criteria are satisfied, you can follow step 1 through step 8 in "Deploying More Than One System With the Same Configuration" on page 28 to update and deploy more than one system with slightly different configurations.

Deploying Multiple System s of Different Models

In this scenario, you can deploy multiple systems of different models; for example, you can deploy 25 PowerEdge R710 systems, 50PowerEdge R610 systems, and 25 PowerEdge T610 systems.

To deploy multiple systems of different models, do the following:

• Ensure that you select multiple systems that you want to deploy on the Select System(s) screen.

• The Firmware Update module displays all the update packages for the systems you selected. Depending on the system model, you must select the components that need to be updated.

30 Using SBUU

• The Hardware C onfiguration module displays all the co nfiguration options under different tabs. Ensure that you select all relevant options for all the systems you selected.

•

The list of operating systems displayed in the Server Operating System Installation (SOI) module is a subset of supported operating systems that can be installed across the selected systems. This implies that if you select systems that have no supported operating systems in common, the SOI module will not display any operating system and you will not be able to proceed with the deployment process.

To deploy multiple systems of different models, follow step 1 through step 8 in "Deploying More Than One System Wi th the Same Configuration" on page 28.

Using SBUU 31

Deploying Multiple Systems With the Same Configuration for Different

Save

Yes

Save

Yes

Select

Systems

SBUU

Home

Import

Edit SOI

(Set to

RHEL 5.3)

Generate

ISO

SBUU

Home

Import

Edit SOI

(Set to

W2K8)

Generate

ISO

Save

Firmware

Update

H/W

Config

SOI Set to W2K3

Export

Configuring in

Current Session

Required if Reconfiguring in  Future

Generate

ISO 1

Go to

SBUU

Home

Edit SOI

(Set to

RHEL 5.3)

Generate

ISO 2

Go to

SBUU

Home

Edit SOI

(Set to

W2K8)

Generate

ISO 3

If Configuring

in Current

Session

Yes

Operating Systems

In this scenario, you can update and deploy multiple systems with the same

configuration for different operating systems. For example, you have 100

PowerEdge R710 systems and you want to deploy 25 systems with the

Microsoft

Hat Enterprise Linux 5 Update 3 operating system, and 25 systems with the

Windows S erver

Windows Server 2003 operating system, 50 systems with the Red

2008 operating system.

32 Using SBUU

Follow step 1 through step 8 in "Deploying More Than One System With Slightly Different Configurations" on page 30 to create a bootable image to deploy an operating system, for example, Windows Server 2003 operating system.

On the On the

Systems Build and Update Utility Home Select an Operating System to Install

screen, select Windows

screen, click

SOI

Server 2003. If you also export the configuration, you can import this configuration

later (in another session) by clicking

Systems Build and Update Utility Home

On the

Systems Build and Update Utility Home

select another operating system, for example,

Import Saved Configuration

screen.

screen, click

SOI

Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5.3, export the configuration for this operating system, and generate an ISO image.

Similarly, configure and generate an ISO image for a third operating system, for example, Windows Server 2008.

You now have three ISO images for the three operating systems you want to install on multiple systems.

Create three different bootable media for the three ISO images, respectively.

Boot the corresponding number of systems with the corresponding bootable media to install the required operating systems.

on the

and

Creating Bootable USB

You can create a bootable USB key from the Dell OpenManage DVD image on Red Hat Enterprise Linux and SUSE Linux Enterprise operating systems.

To create a bootable USB:

Plug in the USB key in the system.

NOTE: Ensure that no other USB media is mounted on the system.

NOTE: Ensure that the size of the USB key is more than that of DVD image.

Insert the

To see all the connected USB media devices, type the following command:

Dell OpenManage DVD

in the system.

Using SBUU 33

/media/cdrom/server_assistant/driver_tool/src/mak e_bootable_usb.sh --scan

T o cr eate the bootable USB media from the

Dell OpenManage DVD

the following command:

/media/cdrom/server_assistant/driver_tool/src/mak e_bootable_usb.sh <path-to-mounted-dvd> <path-to-

usb-device>

Example:

/media/cdrom/server_assistant/driver_tool/src/mak e_bootable_usb.sh /media/cdrom /dev/sdb

Remove the USB key and use this key to boot the target system.

NOTE: If the Linux automount feature is active on the USB device, unmount

the USB before removing it.

, type

34 Using SBUU

Reusing Configuration Files

In this scenario, you can import and reuse a configuration file that you created and exported in an earlier session . Yo u c an use this configuration file and create multiple ISO images with slightly different configuration. This configuration can be for the current system or for multiple systems. However, you need to create separate ISO images for every variation of the multiple systems deployment. For the current system, you can directly apply the configuration you imported, with slight modifications, if required.

NOTE:

When you import the configuration file, all the GUI fields are populated. Configuration, and Configure SOI modules, as required. However, ensure that you do not make any changes on the System(s) Selection screen; if you do so, all existing configuration for the three modules will be reset.

You can edit the Firmware Update Configuration, Hardware

Using SBUU 35

On the

Saved Configuration

The

Specify the location from where you want to import the configuration file and click

The progress screen appears, followed by the

Details

Click

Edit the existing configuration for the

Configuration

Create the ISO image for this configuration by following step 4 through step 8 in "Deploying More Than One System With the Same Configuration" on page 28.

Systems Build and Update Utility Home

Import Configuration

Continue

screen.

Systems Build and Update Utility Home

, and

SOI

screen appears.

Firmware Update, Hardware

modules, if required.

screen, click

Imported Configuration File

Import

36 Using SBUU

Important Information and Frequently Asked Questions

This chapter contains important information about the different modules in SBUU, including answers to some frequently asked questions.

Firmware Update

Important Information

The Firmware Update module in SBUU enables you to update the BIOS and firmware versions of your Dell systems in a pre-operating system environment. This module:

• inventories your system (BIOS, firmware, and drivers)

• enables you to select your own repository

• generates a comparison report (comparison of the currently installed version of each component on the existing system with the repository component version for the same system)

• enables you to upgrade the system components

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the repository? A: The repository contains the updated BIOS, firmware, and driver

components for Dell systems. The Dell Server Updates DVD includes the repository.

Q: What should I do if I face any prerequisite failure during the update process? A: If you face any prerequisite failure during the update process, see the

Server Update Utility User's Guide on how to rectify this.

Important Information and Frequently Asked Questions 37

Q: I want to use my custom repository for firmware updates using SBUU. A: If you want to use your custom repository for firmware updates using

SBUU, you need a Linux repository. Also, you must ensure that the repository contains updates for the system on which you want to run firmware updates.

Q: What should I do if I want to downgrade the firmware? A: If you want to downgrade the firmware, you cannot do it using the

Firmware Update module. Use the Dell Server Updates DVD to downgrade

the firmware on your system.

Q: What should I do if some of the updates fail? A: If some of the updates fail, reboot your system and try using the latest

repository to update the firmware. Also, see the Server Update Utility User's Guide for more information.

Q: I want to use a USB key as my source repository. A: If you are using a USB key as your source re pository, insert the USB key

when you are prompted.

NOTE: It is recommended that you do not boot your system to SBUU with the USB

key inserted in your system. This is because SBUU may not detec t a USB key that is inserted before you boot the system.

Hardware Configuration

Important Information

The Hardware Configuration module in SBUU enables you to configure your system’s Baseboard Management Controller (BMC), Dell Remote Access Controller (DRAC), Redundant Array of Independent Disks (RAID), and BIOS.

Once you save the configuration settings for your system’s BMC, DRAC, RAID, and BIOS, you can use the tool to generate the .ini file, and apply these configuration settings across multiple systems.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How do I access the command line interface? A: To access the command line interface, from the boot menu, select DTK

Command Line Interface (Linux). Q: How do I know which components to configure?

38 Important Information and Frequently Asked Questions

A: Select the system that you want to configure. In the left pane, SBUU displays the components that you can configure. Click the component. The right pane displays the options that you can configure for the selected component.

Q: Where do I get more information on RAID controllers? A: For details on read, write, and cache policies and supported stripe sizes,

see the

Dell OpenManage Deployment Toolkit Command Line Interface Reference

Guide.

Q: How do I know which BIOS setup options are available on my system? A: To see which BIOS setup optio n s are available on your system, go to

the boot menu screen and select DTK Command Line Interface (Linux). Use the SYSCFG tool to see the list of options available on your system.

Q: When setting the boot sequence for devices, what happens if I choose a device that is not on my system?

A: The configuration utility selects the boot devices in the sequence that you specify for boot order. However, if you choose a device that is not present on your system, the utility ignores the device, selects the remaining boot devices, and lists them based on the specified order.

Q: What happens if I create a virtual disk by specifying the size? A: If you create a virtual disk by specifying the size (instead of using the

Maximum possible size option), subsequent virtual disks that you create is

bound to the controller and the array disk that you selected. This condition is valid until you exhaust all the available space on that array disk.

Q: What happens if I want to delete a virtual disk that is one of the virtual disks that was created using a particular array disk?

A: When you select a virtual disk to delete, and that virtual disk is just one of the virtual disks that was created using a particular array disk, all the virtual disks created on that array disk are selected for deletion.

Q: What should I do if I am not able to configure RAID using SBUU? A: Ensure that the Fast Init ializati on parameter of the R AID controller is set

to ON and try again. This setting is the factory default for all R A ID controllers.

Q: Using SBUU, can I configure RAID on a system with a SATA 2s controller connected to a hard drive?

Important Information and Frequently Asked Questions 39

A: SBUU does not support RAID configuration on any system with a SA TA 2s controller connected to a hard drive. To configure RAID on such a system, use the <Ctrl><A> option or set the hard drive configuration to Native mode through BIOS.

Q: I have multiple SCSI and RAID controllers on my system. How can I set the order in which SBUU looks for controllers?

A: SBUU uses the controller listed first in the BIOS boot order list. If you want to use another controller for the operating system, go to the BIOS setup (by pressing F2 as the system starts) and set the controller as the first boot device.

Q: What should I do if I find that one or more virtual disks are in a failed or degraded state?

A: If any virtual disk is in a failed or degraded state, do not start the server setup program. Use the RAID controller's firmware utility (by using <Ctrl><A>, <Ctrl><M>, or <Ctrl><C> while booting) to reset the RAID controller's state.

Q: How can I configure RAID for disks that appear in Legacy mode? A: On CERC A TA or CERC SATA RAID controller cards, disks that appear in

Legacy mode is not available for RAID configuration in SBUU. If you want to

use Legacy mode disks as part of a RAID container, use the RAID controller firmware utility to initialize the disks. However, if all disks are in Legacy mode, SBUU may fail to configure RAID on the controller.

Q: Why does the Novell SUSE Linux Enterprise Server (SLES) version 10 operating system installation sometimes fail on systems equipped with multiple RAID and SCSI controllers?

A: When two or more RAID or SCSI controllers are present, install Novell SLES I0 with only one configured RAID or SCSI controller. Configure the other controllers after you install the Novell 10 operating system.

40 Important Information and Frequently Asked Questions

Server Operating System Installation

Important Information

The Server Operating System Installation (SOI) module in SBUU enables you to install Dell-supported operating systems on your Dell also maps the operating system you want to install to your the requisite drivers. It also has a simple interface to configure Dell-supported storage controllers.

You can use SOI to:

• deploy an operating system on your "bar e-metal" Dell system (that is, when your system does not have an operating system installed on it).

• "repurpose" your system (that is, your system already has an operating system installed on it, and you want to install a different operating system).

• extract drivers and save them on a directory on your system.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What happens if I install a new operating system on my system that already has an operating system?

A: If you already have an operating system on your system (that is, if you are "repurposing" your system), and you use the SOI to install a different operating system, the existing operating system is removed and data is deleted from your system.

Q: Can I install Microsoft Windows Server 2008 and VMware ESX Server operating systems?

A: Y es, you can. However, for operating systems such as Windows Server 2008 and VMware ESX Server, the native Graphical User Installation tool provided by the operating system installation media is used.

Q: What happens if I disconnect the network connection while I am copying the operating system image from a Server Message Block (SMB) share?

A: If you disconnect the network connection while the operating system image is copying, an error message appears indicating that the network is being disconnected. A Reboot button is also enabled. However, the operating system installation process does not resume after you reconnect the network cable. You need to reboot your system.

systems

system and installs

. SOI

Important Information and Frequently Asked Questions 41

Q: What happens if I use the SOI to configure Independent Disks (RAID) controllers on my system that has virtual disks configured on the controller?

A: If you have virtual disks configured on your controller and you use the SOI to configure RAID controllers on your system, the existing virtual disks

are deleted. Q: Where can I get information about support for operating systems and

RAID controllers? A: Some operating systems are not supported with some RAID controllers.

See the readme.text file in the root folder for details. Q: Where can I get information on support for storage controllers and

operating systems? A: Depending on the storage controllers on your system, some operating

systems may not be supported. See readme.txt in the root folder of the Dell Systems Management Tools and Documentation DVD or the online help for details.

Redundant Array of

42 Important Information and Frequently Asked Questions

Dell Systems Build and Update Utility Version 1.6 User Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual