| Hi --
I can provide you w/ a pointer to a bunch of information on Sun's Jumpstart,
and I'll let yo compare that w/ what the DIGITAL UNIX technology offers
starting in V4.0B.
The Jumpstart pointer is:
http://www.sun.com/smcc/solaris-migration/tools/docs/cookbook/02f.htm
Check out Chapter 7.
From a DIGITAL UNIX perspective, we offer the following
(I also recommend the V4.0B version of the Installation Guide {especially
Appendix C} and Sharing Software on a Local Area Network for more in-depth
information on what I describe below.) Also, there is some confusion as to
what "unattended" installation actually is. I'll try to clarify my position
on that as well.
Remote Installation Service (RIS) - This allows a RIS server to serve
various versions of DIGITAL UNIX (e.g., V4.0, V4.0A, V4.0B) to clients
requiring installation, via the network. Multiple clients can install via
RIS simultaneously. RIS requires a DIGITAL UNIX server license.
Cloning allows installation configurations to be duplicated across
similar-type systems. I.e., file system layout, file system type, and
software selections can be automatically duplicated to subsequent machines
without the need to use either of the graphical/character-cell installation
interfaces (i.e., no need to answer questions). Cloning is also supported
from CDROM.
Cloning can be either "interactive" or "non-interactive". It can be
interactive
at two possible points: 1) whether to start the cloned installation (a
safety mechanism, so the machine doesn't just start installing itself), and
2) what options to build into the tailored kernel. Both of these
options can be made non-interactive by modifying the "answer" file
appropriately. For 1), the installation will just start automatically, and
for
2), you can select to build a fully configured kernel, or a minimally
configured
kernel, thus not requiring interaction at this point.
We also offer the ability for a user to extend the installation capability
by offering "hooks" into the installation process at two points: 1) just
prior
to the installation application initializing, and 2) just after software
subsets have been loaded. These hooks are user-supplied scripts which allow
(automated) customization of the installation process.
Finally, the "unattended" word came to be when certain processors began to
have the ability to automatically reboot (from a different device) in an
"unattended" fashion. I believe these processors are currently the AS1000,
the AS2100, and the AS800, and the AS433au. Therefore, with unattended
reboot capability, users can now have a completey non-interactive, customized,
installation from start to finish, as well as install multiple machines
simultaneously via RIS.
Hope this helps.
-Steve.
[Posted by WWW Notes gateway]
|