The SANDeploy Boot Server is an all-in-one software solution featuring a built-in iSCSI SAN, DHCP, and TFTP server. It is designed to facilitate high-performance, diskless PXE booting for client workstations and virtual machines directly from a centralized storage array. Configuring the server involves mapping storage virtual volumes, establishing networking protocols, and tuning client performance parameters. Server-Side Core Configuration
Setting up the server side is managed entirely through the SANDeploy iSCSI SAN Management Console.
Network Binding: Access the software properties to select your preferred host IP and specify the TCP/IP service port. The default industry port for iSCSI traffic is 3260.
Virtual Volumes: Right-click Virtual Volumes to launch the creation wizard. You can map standard .img files, raw physical drives, partition disks, or SCSI Pass Through Interface (SPTI) volumes.
iSCSI Target Creation: Right-click the iSCSI Targets node and trigger the creation wizard. Move your newly assigned storage volumes from the “Available” queue into the “Selected” queue to finalize the target mapping.
Enabling PXE Service: Check the Enable boot service on this server box within the general settings to actively deploy the internal PXE and TFTP mechanisms. DHCP and Workstation Management Modes
The system offers four distinct client IP allocation and tracking environments:
Anonymous Booting (External DHCP): Leverages your network’s pre-existing DHCP server to supply workstation IPs.
Automatic Registration (External DHCP): Uses your existing DHCP infrastructure but permanently registers the client MAC addresses inside SANDeploy to optimize consecutive boot performance.
Automatic Registration (Built-In DHCP): Completely replaces third-party DHCP servers, allowing SANDeploy to natively manage the IP addresses.
Manual Registration (Built-In DHCP): The highest security layer; unauthorized workstations missing manual entries are completely blocked from booting. Client Image Deployment and Fine-Tuning
To transform an existing operating system installation into a network-bootable target, configure the client using the SANDeploy iSCSI Boot Configuration Wizard:
Driver Injection: Choose the targeted client network interface card (NIC). If deploying to a hardware pool with mixed components, select and install the SANDeploy PnP Drivers for all relevant NIC models to ensure seamless cross-hardware booting.
OS Transfer: Log on to your configured iSCSI Target using the Microsoft iSCSI Initiator, and use the client tools to copy the operating system to the network image volume.
Performance Optimization: The wizard allows you to explicitly disable unneeded local Windows background services. Minimizing local services directly accelerates data processing over the iSCSI data path.
BIOS Redirection: Change the host system’s native hardware BIOS priority settings, moving Network Boot (PXE) to the primary boot device slot. High Availability and Load Balancing
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