Creating a Bootable Image File

Before you deploy your image file to the remote systems, ensure that a supported system can boot from the file. To test the image file, transfer the image file to a test system using the iDRAC6 Web user interface and then reboot the system.

The following sections provide specific information for creating image files for Linux and Microsoft Windows systems.

Creating an Image File for Linux Systems

Use the Data Duplicator (dd) utility to create a bootable image file for your Linux system.

To run the utility, open a command prompt and type the following:

ddif=<input-device> of=<output-file>

For example:

dd if=/dev/sdc0 of=mycd.img

Creating an Image File for Windows Systems

When choosing a data replicator utility for Windows image files, select a utility that copies the image file and the CD/DVD boot sectors.

Preparing for Deployment

Configuring the Remote Systems

1Create a network share that can be accessed by the management station.

2Copy the operating system files to the network share.

3If you have a bootable, preconfigured deployment image file to deploy the operating system to the remote systems, skip this step.

If you do not have a bootable, preconfigured deployment image file, create the file. Include any programs and/or scripts used for the operating system deployment procedures.

For example, to deploy a Windows operating system, the image file may include programs that are similar to deployment methods used by Microsoft Systems Management Server (SMS).

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Deploying Your Operating System Using VMCLI

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Dell IDRAC6 manual Creating a Bootable Image File, Preparing for Deployment, Creating an Image File for Linux Systems