Dell Systems Build and Update Utility Version 2.0 User Manual

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Dell Systems Build and

Update Utility

Version 2.0

User’s Guide

Notes and Cautions

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

your computer.

CAUTION: A CAUTION indicates potential damage to hardware or loss of data if

instructions are not followed.

___________________

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®, Windows®, and Windows Server®, are either trademarks or 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® is a registered trademark of Novell, Inc. in the United States and other countries. Citrix® and XenServer® are either trademarks or registered trademarks of Citrix Systems, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries. Red Hat® and Red Hat Enterprise Linux® are registered trademarks of Red Hat, Inc. in the 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.

2012-03

Contents

1 About Dell OpenManage Systems Build

and Update Utility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Key Functionalities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

What’s New in This Release

Prerequisites

USC Transition

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Firmware Update Module . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Updating Your System Firmware

Hardware Configuration Module

Configuring Your System Hardware

Server Operating System Installation Module

Installing the Operating System

About Dell OpenManage Systems Build and Update Utility

Dell OpenManage Systems Build and Update Utility (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.

Key Functionalities

Table 1-1 lists the key SBUU functionalities for deploying and updating the Dell systems.

Table 1-1. Organization of Information in This Guide

To Se e

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

Configure your system hardware.

Install an operating system on your system.

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

Updating Your System Firmware

Configuring Your System Hardware

Installing the Operating System

Using SBUU in Different Scenarios

About Dell OpenManage Systems Build and Update Utility5

What’s New in This Release

Support for the following operating systems:

• VMware ESX 4.1 U2 and ESXi 4.1 U2 installer and recovery

• VMware ESXi 5.0 installer and recovery

• Citrix XenServer 6.0 FP1 HDD

• RedHat Enterprise Linux 6.1 x86_64

• Added support for 12G systems — PowerEdge R720, PowerEdge R620, PowerEdge M620, PowerEdge T620, and PowerEdge R720XD

Prerequisites

This section lists the prerequisites for using SBUU and where to find the other information that you may need.

• Dell system with minimum memory of 512 MB.

• Optical drive,

Tools and Documentation

Administrator).

• Two Network File System (NFS) or Samba multiple network shares.

NOTE: If you do not have network connectivity for the system you are

deploying, ensure that you have multiple USB keys.

NOTE: This is not applicable for Dell PowerEdge SC systems.

• Basic knowledge of RAID, BIOS, BMC, and DRAC.

• Windows OS install support pack.

Dell Server Updates

media (to install Dell OpenManage System

media, and

Dell Systems Management

NOTE: This is applicable only if you download the SBUU image from the

support site and you want to install Microsoft Windows Server 2008.

USC Transition

Insert the your media drive.

The boot menu is displayed.

Press <F3>.

The

6 About Dell OpenManage Systems Build and Update Utility

Dell Systems Management Tools and Documentation

Advanced Options

screen is displayed.

media in

Select

USCBOOT

NOTE: USC boot is supported only on 11g or later systems. You have an option

to use USC or continue with SBUU.

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

System Services and Intelligent Platform Management Interface (IPMI) are enabled.

to reboot the system to USC.

Firmware Update Module

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

• Enables you to select your own repository

• Generates a comparison report

NOTE: A comparison report is a 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

Updating Your System Firmware

On the

Firmware Update

The

Dell Systems Build and Update Utility Home

on the left pane.

Repository Selection

screen is displayed.

screen, click

Specify the location where the update files repository resides. The options available are:

•NFS

•SMB

• CD/DVD Media

•USB

NOTE: 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 Repository Selection screen.

About Dell OpenManage Systems Build and Update Utility 7

If you select NFS, enter the details.

IP Address/Hostname

and

Network Share

If you select SMB, enter the

Name

and Password

Click

Continue

The comparison report is displayed on the

If the media is unavailable the following error message appears:

Unable to recognize the media. It may be blank, damaged, or the format is not supported.

Click OK.

Insert the media and click

NOTE: You can selectively upgrade components depending on your

requirement. However, you cannot perform selective downgrades.

Select any components that you want to upgrade and click

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

The

Configure Apply /Export Options

Select

Apply Configuration to Current System

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

IP Address/Hostname, Network Share, User

details.

Comparison Report

Continue

Apply/Export Configuration

screen is displayed.

and click

screen.

Systems Build

Apply/Export

Hardware Configuration Module

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, you can use the tool to generate the .ini file and apply these configuration settings across multiple systems.

8 About Dell OpenManage Systems Build and Update Utility

Configuring Your System Hardware

On Your Current System

On the

Configuration

The

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

Component screens are displayed, on which you can configure various components.

Click

The

Configuration to Current System

Click

A progress bar is displayed 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.

Systems Build and Update Utility Home

screen, click

Hardware

on the left pane.

Configuration Status Summary

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.

Save Settings

and then,

Save Settings and Go Back to Home Page

Apply/Export Configuration

Configure Apply/Export Options

screen is displayed.

Go Back to Configuration Summary

screen is displayed with the

Apply

option selected, by default.

Apply/Export

On Your Current System For Multiple Systems

On the

Selection

The

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

Systems Build and Update Utility Home

on the left pane.

Select System(s)

screen is displayed.

screen, click

configuration.

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

to multiple systems, select all the required systems on the Select System(s) screen.

About Dell OpenManage Systems Build and Update Utility 9

System(s)

Click

Save Settings

The

Systems Build and Update Utility Home

the selected systems under

Click

Hardware Configuration

The

Configuration Status Summary

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

Component screens are displayed on which you can configure various components.

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

Click

The

Auto-Deployment Bootable Image

Click bootable ISO image.

Click

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.

Go Back to Configuration Summary

Save Settings and Go Back to Home Page

Apply/Export Configuration

Configure Apply/Export Options

Destination

Continueand then

NOTE: If the destination you specified is not a bootable USB key, burn the ISO

image using any media burning software application.

screen is displayed listing

System(s) Selection

on the left pane.

screen is displayed.

screen is displayed with the

option selected, by default.

and specify the location where you want to save the

Apply/Export

Save Settings

Create

Server Operating System Installation Module

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 on your the requisite drivers. It has a simple interface to configure Dell-supported storage controllers.

You can use SOI to:

10 About Dell OpenManage Systems Build and Update Utility

systems

system and installs

. SOI

• Deploy an operating system on your

•

Repurpose

your system

bare-metal

Dell system

Installing the Operating System

To install the operating system, perform the following steps:

NOTE: Make sure that you have selected the RedHat Enterprise Linux 6.1 x86_64 as

the operating system and create a utility partition.

On the

Installation

The

Make the required changes and click

The

Select click

The

Indicate whether you want to apply the RAID configuration that you specified in Configuring Your System Hardware or retain the existing RAID configuration on your system, and click

The

x86_64

Systems Build and Update Utility Home

screen, click

Server OS

on the left pane.

Set the Date and Time

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

Select an Operating System to Install

screen is displayed.

Continue

screen is displayed.

Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6.1 x86_64, Create Utility Partition

Continue

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

Select RAID Configuration

screen is displayed.

Continue

Configure the Disk Partition for Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6.1

screen is displayed.

, and

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 and click

Enter Configuration Information for Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6.1

The

x86_64

screen is displayed.

Fill in the appropriate fields and click

The

Operating System Installation Summary

About Dell OpenManage Systems Build and Update Utility 11

Continue

screen is displayed.

Continue

screen is displayed.

Click

Back

to change the settings if required.

To save your configuration and export it for later use, click

Home Page

and go to step 9.

Go Back to

To apply the configuration on your system immediately, click and go to 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 is displayed with the

option selected, by default. You can

screen that is displayed,

export the operating system installation configuration for later use by

selecting

Click

The

Export Configuration

Apply/Export

Script Generation Progress

screen is displayed indicating that the

configuration is being saved.

If you selected the option to install the Dell OpenManage Server Administrator in step 7, specify the location of either the Server Administrator media or the Server Administrator

Insert the operating system media, when prompted.

SBUU

copies the operating system files to your system and launches the

.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 support.dell.com. Create your own optical media from the Windows OS Install Support Pack package and make it available to SBUU when prompted.

Apply Now

Apply

12 About Dell OpenManage Systems Build and Update Utility

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.

NOTE: Though a FC card is present with a supported controller, SBUU behavior

can be unpredictable. You can download the drivers for these devices from the Dell Systems Service and Diagnostics Tools on the Dell Systems Management Tools and Documentation DVD or from the Dell support website at support.dell.com.

Getting Technical Assistance

For customers in the United States, call 800-WWW-DELL (800-999-3355).

NOTE: If you do not have an active Internet connection, you can find contact

information on your purchase invoice, packing slip, bill, or Dell product catalog.

For information on technical support, visit dell.com/contactus.

Additionally, Dell Enterprise Training and Certification is available at dell.com/training.

About Dell OpenManage Systems Build and Update Utility 13

14 About Dell OpenManage Systems Build and Update Utility

Launching SBUU

You can launch Dell Systems Build and Update Utility (SBUU) on a local system or a remote system.

On a Local System

To launch SBUU locally, you can use the Dell Systems Management Tools and Documentation media, the SBUU ISO image or the bootable USB media:

Insert the relevant media in your system’s optical drive/USB drive.

Reboot your system.

The boot menu screen is displayed.

On a Remote System

To launch SBUU on a remote system:

In the relevant Dell Remote Access Controller (DRAC) version, click

Media

The

Virtual Media

NOTE: You are prompted to install the Virtual Media Active X Control if it is not

already installed on the system.

Set

Attach/Detach Status

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.

screen is displayed.

Attached

ISO Image File

SBUU

bootable media or the ISO image of the

media, select your

ISO Image File

, as

Click

Connect

The

Virtual Media Status

Systems Management Tools and Documentation

your host system.

Click

Power Management

screen is displayed indicating that the

Dell

media is now connected to

Launching SBUU 15

To boot the host system with the SBUU media, select

System

, and click

Click

Console

The

Console Redirection

Click

Connect

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

Apply

screen is displayed.

SBUU

remotely.

Power Cycle

16 Launching 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

Using SBUU in Different Scenarios

This section describes some of the possible scenarios in which you can use Dell Systems Build and Update Utility (SBUU).

Deploying Your Current Bare-Metal Dell System

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

Using SBUU in Different Scenarios 17

Update your system firmware, if required.

See Firmware Update Module.

Configure your system hardware and make sure you click

Save Settings

before you navigate away from a component screen.

See Hardware Configuration Module.

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.

See Server Operating System Installation Module.

You can view, edit, or reset the configuration for the modules by clicking

View, Edit

On the

Configuration

The

Provide your inputs as required and click

, or

Reset

, respectively.

Systems Build and Update Utility Home,

click

Apply/Export

Configure Apply/Export Options

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, it may cause your system to become unstable.

screen is displayed.

Continue

The progress screen is displayed, after which the unattended update or deployment begins. SBUU continues with hardware configuration and operating system installation, as per your configuration.

NOTE: If any of the firmware updates requires a system reboot, your system

reboots automatically.

18 Using SBUU in Different Scenarios

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 R720 systems.

Using SBUU in Different Scenarios 19

On the against

The

Select

Click

Home

Configure the Systems Build and Update Utility modules.

See step 1 through step 4 in Deploying Your Current Bare-Metal Dell

System.

Create an ISO image.

See Creating an ISO image.

Systems Build and Update Utility Home

System(s) Selection

Select System(s)

NOTE: Make sure that you click Select Systems to enable the Create Auto-

deployment Bootable Image on the Select Options screen.

PowerEdge R720

Save Settings

screen.

and return to the

on the left pane.

screen is displayed.

from the list and click the right arrow.

Systems Build and Update Utility

screen, click

Change

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 R720 systems but the systems may have different cards, controllers, hard drives, memory, and so on.

Prerequisites

• The controller type must be the same as that you configured.

• The configured Redundant Array of Independent Disks (RAID) level and RAID policy must be supported by the existing controller.

NOTE: Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) 5 and SAS 6 controllers require a minimum

of 2 disks.

• The number of disks and the disk size must be the same or more.

• The available disks must be of the same type.

Once the prerequisites are met, follow the steps in

System With the Same Configuration

20 Using SBUU in Different Scenarios

Deploying More Than One

Deploying Multiple Systems of Different Models

In this scenario, you can deploy multiple systems of different models; for example, you can deploy 25 PowerEdge R720 systems, 50 PowerEdge R620 systems, and 25 PowerEdge T620 systems.

Prerequisites

• Make sure that all the systems you want to deploy are selected on the

Select System(s)

• The components that need to be updated must be selected in the Firmware Update module.

• The relevant options for all the systems must be selected in the Hardware Configuration module.

• The systems that are selected have supported operating systems that can be installed on them.

Once the prerequisites are met, follow steps in

System With the Same Configuration

screen

Deploying More Than One

Using SBUU in Different Scenarios 21

Deploying Multiple Systems With the Same

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

Configuration for Different 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 R720 systems and you want to deploy 25 systems with the

Microsoft

Hat Enterprise Linux 6.1 x86_64 operating system, and 25 systems with the

Windows Server

Windows Server 2008 operating system, 50 systems with the Red

2008 operating system.

22 Using SBUU in Different Scenarios

Create a bootable ISO image to deploy an operating system, for example, Windows Server 2008 operating system.

See Creating an ISO image.

On the

On the Server 2008.

On the select another operating system, for example, Linux 6.1 x86_64, 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 ISO images, respectively.

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

Systems Build and Update Utility Home

Select an Operating System to Install

NOTE: You can export the configuration and import it later, in another session,

by clicking by clicking Import Saved Configuration on the Systems Build and Update Utility Home screen.

Systems Build and Update Utility Home

screen, click

screen, select Windows

screen, click

Red Hat Enterprise

SOI

and

Reusing Configuration Files

In this scenario, you can import and reuse a configuration file that you created and exported in an earlier session. You can use this configuration file and create multiple ISO images with slightly different configuration. This configuration can be used 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.

Using SBUU in Different Scenarios 23

NOTE:

On the

Saved Configuration

The

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

The progress screen is displayed, followed by the

File Details

Click

Edit the existing configuration for the

Configuration

Create the ISO image for this configuration.

The GUI fields are populated when you import the configuration file. Yo u can edit the modules, as required. If you make any changes on the System(s) Selection screen all existing configuration for the three modules will be reset.

Systems Build and Update Utility Home

screen, click

Import Configuration

Continue

screen is displayed.

Imported Configuration

screen.

Systems Build and Update Utility Home

Firmware Update, Hardware

, and

SOI

modules, if required.

See Creating an ISO image.

24 Using SBUU in Different Scenarios

Import

Frequently Asked Questions

This chapter contains important information about the different modules in Dell Systems Build Update Utility (SBUU), including answers to some 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 media includes the repository.

Q: What should I do if I face any prerequisite failure during the update process?

A: See the Server Update Utility User's Guide to rectify this failure.

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. To generate a Linux repository, use the Dell Repository Manager or SUU DVD. 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: Use the Dell Server Updates media to downgrade the firmware on your

system. You cannot downgrade the firmware using the Firmware Update module.

Q: What should I do if some of the updates fail?

A: 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 repository, 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 detect a USB key that is inserted before you boot the system.

Frequently Asked Questions 25

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?

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, 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: 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 are

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: All the virtual disks created on that array disk are selected for deletion.

26 Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What should I do if I am not able to configure Redundant Array of Independent Disks (RAID) using SBUU?

A: Ensure that the Fast Initialization parameter of the RAID controller is set to ON and try again. This setting is the factory default for all RAID controllers.

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

A: SBUU does not support RAID configuration on any system with a SATA 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: 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 are displayed in Legacy mode?

A: On Cost Effective RAID Controller (CERC) ATA or CERC SATA RAID

controller cards, disks that are displayed 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.

Frequently Asked Questions 27

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, and you use the Server Operating System Installation (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: Yes, 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 is displayed 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.

Q: What happens if I use the SOI to configure 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 media or the online help for details.

RAID controllers on my system

28 Frequently Asked Questions

Appendix A

Creating Bootable USB

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

To create a bootable USB:

Plug in the USB key to the system.

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

NOTE: Make sure that the size of the USB key is more than that of the media

image.

Insert the

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

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

To create the bootable USB media from the type the following command:

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

usb-device>

Dell OpenManage media

in the system.

Dell OpenManage media

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.

Appendix A 29

Creating an ISO image

On the click

The

Select the

Destination

On the save the ISO image and click

If you choose USB as the location, you can also make the USB key bootable.

The

Click

The ISO image is created.

You can create a bootable media to boot the systems that you want to update or deploy.

Systems Build and Update Utility Home

Apply/Export Configuration

Configure Apply/Export Options

Create Auto-deployment Bootable Image

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

ISO Save Location

Configure Apply/Export Options

Apply/Export

screen is displayed.

screen, specify the location where you want to

Continue

screen is displayed.

screen,

option and click

30 Appendix A

Dell Systems Build and Update Utility Version 2.0 User Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual