Chapter 1 Overview and Requirements 7
Overview of Server Diagnostics Congurations

You can install and run Server Diagnostics in a variety of ways, so choose the method

that best suits your needs. There are several options, each with advantages and

disadvantages:

Option Considerations
Use the preinstalled Server Diagnostics EFI Advantages:
ÂYou can use Server Diagnostics EFI.
ÂYou don’t need a portable storage device.
ÂNo installation is necessary.
Disadvantages:
ÂYou need physical access to the server.
ÂDamage to the startup volume may prevent
access to Server Diagnostics EFI.
ÂYou can’t save logs or screenshots locally.
ÂYou must restore Server Diagnostics if you
erase the volume it’s installed on.
Install Server Diagnostics EFI on a portable
storage device
Advantages:
ÂYou can use Server Diagnostics EFI.
ÂYou can use the same portable storage device
to test multiple servers.
ÂYou can save logs and screenshots locally.
Disadvantages:
ÂYou need physical access to the server.
ÂYou need a volume on the portable storage
device that has 100 MB of available space and
that doesn’t have Mac OS X or Mac OS X Server
installed.
ÂThe portable storage device must be physically
connected to the server.
Host a NetBoot server Advantages:
ÂYou can use Server Diagnostics EFI.
ÂYou don’t need to install Server Diagnostics
on an internal volume on the server or on a
portable storage device.
ÂYou can use a single Server Diagnostics install
image to test multiple servers.
Disadvantages:
ÂYou need physical access to the server.
ÂYou need a server to host NetBoot service and
the Server Diagnostics install image.
ÂThe server must be on the same subnet as the
NetBoot server.
ÂYou can’t save logs or screenshots locally.