Chapter 11.

Bare Metal Installation

You can set up bare metal hosts in a CloudPlatform cloud and manage them with the Management Server. Bare metal hosts do not run hypervisor software. You do not install the operating system – that is done using PXE when an instance is created from the bare metal template which you are going to create as part of this Installation procedure. Bare metal hosts use basic networking. A cloud can contain a mix of bare metal instances and virtual machine instances.

CloudPlatform 4.2 supports the kick start installation method for RPM-based Linux operating systems on baremetal hosts in basic zones. Users can provision a baremetal host managed by CloudPlatform as long as they have the kick start file and corresponding OS installation ISO ready.

11.1. Bare Metal Host System Requirements

Bare metal hosts can run any of the following operating systems. The hardware must meet the requirements published by the OS vendor. Please consult the OS documentation for details. Bare metal kick start installation is tested on CentOS 5.5, CentOS 6.2, CentOS 6.3, Fedora 17, and Ubuntu 12.04.

Aside from the requirements of the selected OS, bare metal hosts additionally must meet the following requirements:

•All hosts within a cluster must be homogenous. The CPUs must be of the same type, count, and feature flags.

•32-bit or 64-bit x86 CPU (more cores results in better performance)

•4 GB of memory

•36 GB of local disk

•At least 1 NIC

11.2. About Bare Metal Kickstart Installation

Kickstart installation eliminates manual intervention during OS installation. It uses a text file as a script to automate installation. The kickstart file contains responses to all the user input prompts that are displayed when you install an operating system. With kickstart installation, you can automate the installation of operating system software on large numbers of hosts.

Support for kickstart is provided by the anaconda installer. You can find out more at http:// fedoraproject.org/wiki/Anaconda/Kickstart. Anaconda is used by the various Linux distributions supported for CloudPlatform bare metal hosts (see Section 11.1, “Bare Metal Host System Requirements”). A complete description of kickstart files is outside the scope of this documentation. Luckily, there is plentiful documentation available. We have also provided some example kickstart files later in this document.

•Red Hat / CentOS

Docs: http://www.centos.org/docs/6/html/Installation_Guide-en-US/ch-kickstart2.html

Example: Section 11.3.18, “Example CentOS 6.x Kickstart File”

•Fedora

Docs: http://docs.fedoraproject.org/en-US/Fedora/17/html/Installation_Guide/ch-kickstart2.html

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Citrix Systems 4.2 Bare Metal Installation, Bare Metal Host System Requirements, About Bare Metal Kickstart Installation
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4.2 specifications

Citrix Systems, a leading provider of virtualization solutions and cloud computing technologies, released version 4.2 of its popular software, Citrix XenApp, which was previously known as Presentation Server. This version marked a significant evolution in providing users with remote access to applications and desktops, emphasizing simplicity, performance, and security.

One of the standout features of Citrix XenApp 4.2 is its improved application streaming capabilities. This technology allows applications to be delivered to users in real-time, reducing the need for extensive local installations and enhancing the user experience. With application streaming, administrators can efficiently manage applications on a central server while ensuring that users have immediate access to the necessary tools.

Another highlight of this version is the enhanced security measures put in place to protect sensitive data. Citrix XenApp 4.2 includes support for SSL encryption, providing a secure communication channel for data transmitted between the server and clients. This is particularly crucial for businesses that need to comply with strict data protection regulations. Additionally, the integration of endpoint security features ensures that unauthorized access to applications is minimized.

Performance enhancements are also a critical focus in this release. Citrix optimized the delivery of applications over various network conditions, ensuring that users experience minimal latency regardless of their location. This was achieved through the incorporation of SmartAccess and SmartControl technologies, which allow administrators to set policies based on user roles, device types, and network conditions. This level of granularity enables organization-wide security without compromising on usability.

The user experience was further improved with a revamped interface, making it easier for end-users to access their applications and data. Simplified menus, clear navigation paths, and the ability to customize user settings contributed to a more efficient workflow, allowing users to focus on their tasks rather than struggling with the software.

Finally, Citrix XenApp 4.2 was designed to be highly scalable. Organizations of all sizes could deploy this solution to deliver applications efficiently, adapting to their specific needs as their user base grows or changes. This flexibility is crucial for businesses looking to future-proof their IT investments while maintaining optimal performance.

In summary, Citrix XenApp 4.2 stands out with its enhanced application streaming, robust security features, improved performance under varying conditions, user-friendly interface, and scalability, making it an ideal choice for organizations seeking to leverage virtualization for remote access to applications and desktops.
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