In recent years, automated, unattended installation methods for server installations and configurations have proven to have value. They provide the following advantages:
Installation standards can be implemented very easily.
Servers can be configured and installed identically.
Administrative efforts can be minimized.
Large roll-outs become manageable in short time frames.
Installations are reliable, traceable, and reportable.
To benefit from these advantages Novell Consulting recommends that you use AutoYaST for the SUSE automatic installation method in any environment where SUSE Linux Enterprise Server (SLES) and Open Enterprise Server (OES) are planned or are already deployed.
AutoYaST is also the basis of the Novell Consulting Installation Framework, a highly customized installation solution that has been developed and refined in a number of projects where Novell Consulting has been involved.
This framework requires the configuration of certain services, such as an installation repository, a service that provides remote access to the installation repository, a customized boot medium, and the control file for AutoYaST, which defines the main properties of the target devices.
This Novell Consulting Best Practices Guide: Automated Installation, Configuration, and Update for OES 11 details the setup and basic mechanisms of this installation framework. The guide is not intended to replace the official installation documentation. Readers are expected to have a basic understanding of the SLES installation process and of AutoYaST.
The Novell Consulting Installation Framework is available as a Novell Cool Solution and is ready to be used after setting up your repository server and providing some customer-specific configuration information. See The Novell Consulting Installation FrameworkâAutoYaST.