6 Complex networks: multi-capable servers

This chapter presents a variety of ideas for using servers in a complex network. There is no one solution when configuring servers in a complex environment – look for the solutions that work in your data center.

This chapter focuses on Integrity systems only.

Configuring an RDP server for specific MAC addresses

Conflicts between multiple boot servers on a subnet may be avoided if each boot server only responds to the MAC addresses of client systems which it has to manage. The RDP PXE server may be configured to selectively respond to network boot requests based on the MAC addresses of client systems. If there are more Windows and Linux systems than HP-UX systems, it makes more sense to configure the RDP server to ignore the MAC addresses of HP-UX systems instead of configuring the RDP server to respond to the MAC addresses of its client systems.

To do this, use the MAC Filter tab on the PXE Configuration Utility as shown in the figure below.

The Interactive UI may be started using the Windows Start Menu:

Start→All Programs→Altiris→PXE Services→PXE Configuration Utility

It may also be started from the RDP Deployment Solutions Console.

Configuring an RDP server to delay PXE response

The RDP PXE server may be configured to delay responding to network boot requests. This gives a chance for an HP-UX network boot server to consistently respond first. The HP-UX boot server must be configured to only respond to specific MAC addresses via bootptab content, allowing the RDP server to manage the non-HP-UX systems.

The PXE Configuration Utility on the RDP server may be used to specify the response delay. Use the PXE Server tab as shown in the figure below.

The Interactive UI may be started using the Windows Start Menu:

Configuring an RDP server for specific MAC addresses 61