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HP ProLiant Essentials Rapid Deployment Pack
RDP provides a remote console-based method for scalable, automated server deployment without
network degradation. RDP can be used to deploy from up to 100 server blades in 30 minutes. In
addition, RDP for Windows (version 1.40 or later) includes the added ability to identify and deploy
interconnect switches.
RDP maximizes IT resources by providing a full server build from a remote console for initial power
on, automated server configuration on the fly, and installation of standard software sets based on
server roles. The intuitive interface reduces the level of IT skill sets needed to deploy and redeploy
ProLiant BL servers in the data center and throughout the network.
RDP features industry-standard PXE technology and multicasting technology. RDP also includes a
modular set of DOS-based utilities for automating many steps in the configuration process, and it
provides sample scripts for configuring server blades. A Linux edition of RDP is available and requires
an additional management server. Network File System (NFS) is required if performing a Linux
scripted installation.
All server blades have PXE-enabled NICs. The RDP enables administrators to create a configuration
script, or "server profile," for target server blades by copying and editing files of a configured source
server or server blade. Administrators can then copy that configuration script and Scripting Toolkit
utilities to a network share or a bootable server configuration diskette. By combining scripts for server
configuration and OS installation, IT administrators can rapidly configure a new server or server
blade and install the OS remotely. This remote process shrinks a typical installation time from hours or
days to minutes, making it possible to scale server blade deployments to high volumes rapidly.
RDP also enables server blade "rip-and-replace" functionality. An administrator can use RDP to
pre-assign a particular server profile to each server blade bay in a server blade enclosure.
For example, in order for a ProLiant BL20p G3 Server Blade in server blade bay 4 to run Microsoft
Windows 2000 with Microsoft Internet Information Server (IIS) and some HTML scripting, the
administrator simply builds that server profile for bay 4 and loads the image onto a deployment
server. When a new server blade is installed into bay 4, the server blade seeks out the deployment
server, downloads the pre-assigned script, and begins working immediately without intervention. If
that server blade requires replacement, the new server blade automatically seeks out the deployment
server and downloads the pre-assigned script to configure itself identically. In other words, the new
server blade automatically takes on the role of the previous server blade, significantly reducing the
time and effort needed to keep servers in production.
For more information on HP ProLiant Essentials RDP, refer to
http://www.hp.com/servers/rdp/
HP Systems Insight Manager
HP SIM helps reduce incidence of unplanned server downtime and maximizes IT staff efficiency by
providing centralized fault, inventory, and configuration management for your ProLiant BL servers.
HP SIM will automatically discover and draw a visual representation of HP BladeSystem enclosures
and servers. It associates server blades with the appropriate enclosure and displays health status for
each blade. Users can drill down for further information such as system events or detailed system
inventory and can access onboard management such as the System Management Home Page and
the iLO management processor. Through automated event handling, systems administrators can
ensure proactive delivery of system alerts so that component failures or environmental problems do
not result in unplanned server downtime.
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