2.2 Deploying up to 100 Workstations

With a growing numbers of workstations to install, you certainly do not want to install and configure each one of them manually. There are many automated or semiautomated approaches as well as several options to perform an installation with minimal to no physical user interaction.

Before considering a fully-automated approach, take into account that the more complex the scenario gets the longer it takes to set up. If a time limit is associated with your deployment, it might be a good idea to select a less complex approach that can be carried out much more quickly. Automation makes sense for huge deployments and those that need to be carried out remotely.

Choose from the following options:

Simple Remote Installation via VNC—Static Network Configuration

Consider this approach in a small to medium scenario with a static network setup. A network, network installation server, and VNC viewer application are required.

Simple Remote Installation via VNC—Dynamic Network Configuration

Consider this approach in a small to medium scenario with dynamic network setup through DHCP. A network, network installation server, and VNC viewer application are required.

Remote Installation via VNC—PXE Boot and Wake on LAN

Consider this approach in a small to medium scenario that should be installed via network and without physical interaction with the installation targets. A network, a network installation server, network boot images, network bootable target hardware, and a VNC viewer application are required.

Simple Remote Installation via SSH—Static Network Configuration

Consider this approach in a small to medium scenario with static network setup. A network, network installation server, and SSH client application are required.

Remote Installation via SSH—Dynamic Network Configuration

Consider this approach in a small to medium scenario with dynamic network setup through DHCP. A network, network installation server, and SSH client application are required.

Remote Installation via SSH—PXE Boot and Wake on LAN

Consider this approach in a small to medium scenario that should be installed via network and without physical interaction with the installation targets. A network, a network installation server, network boot images, network bootable target hardware, and an SSH client application are required.

Simple Mass Installation

Consider this approach for large deployments to identical machines. If configured to use network booting, physical interaction with the target systems is not needed at all. A network, a network installation server, a remote controlling application such as a VNC viewer or an SSH client, and an AutoYaST configuration profile are required. If using network boot, a network boot image and network bootable hardware are required as well.

Rule-Based Autoinstallation

Consider this approach for large deployments to various types of hardware. If configured to use network booting, physical interaction with the target systems is not needed at all. A network, a network installation server, a remote controlling application such as a VNC viewer or an SSH client, and several AutoYaST configuration profiles as well as a rule setup for AutoYaST are required. If using network boot, a network boot image and network bootable hardware are required as well.