DS and HP Rapid Deplyment Pack on same server?

Brandon · 11-20-2008, 11:53 AM

I was wondering if anyone out there happens to have the DS and the Rapid Deployment Pack installed on the same server. The other thing I thought may work is just importing the tasks from RDP to a DS server. RDP isn't installed just yet so I haven't looked to see if doing an export/import would be a chore.

Any feedback on using HP RDP and a DS in the same environment and/or subnet would be helpful. Thanks.

Nick · 11-21-2008, 12:22 AM

Brandon,

I've never installed it myself but from the discussions I've been included in from the past I have gathered that HP RDP is only a DS with some scripts included (that may over simplify it).

Brandon · 11-21-2008, 06:40 AM

After working with it more you can actually install this pack to an existing DS it appears. You just need the RDP version to match your DS version. (RDP 3.81 > DS 6.9) I attached some screenshots.

I am unable to get the install finalized because it is failing a test to make sure the RDP integration installer is being run from autorun and not directly from the setup.exe. While I am doing this it continues to fail. I cannot find support on the error or how to resolve it anywhere. The manual says extracting the ISO off the CD to do the installation or mounting it is supported so I have no idea at this point.

EDIT:
It appears if you try to do the RDP install to an existing DS there is some key in the registry you have to change to make it get past the autorun check. Altiris support should have this I was told but I didn't call in to check. I just moved on without integrating RDP to the existing DS.

Bill Sullivan · 11-22-2008, 05:47 AM

We have built the RDP in a VM and then grabbed all the scripts and customs files / folders from the express directory. You can then just add them to your "current" DS install and all should work fine. There are some good scripts in there.
THis is not supported by HP and also might be called "reverse engineering" so don't tell anyone <shush>

Bill

andykn · 11-23-2008, 12:11 AM

On my system at home I just mounted the ISO using Microsoft's Virtual CD driver and could install the latest RDP (3.81?) with no problem.

As far as I know the only difference between the Rapid Deployment Pack version of DS and "retail" DS is the splash screen. The Rapid Deployment Pack then installs the "Proliant Integration Module" which is the "Smart Start Scripting Toolkit" and some DS Jobs for deploying OSs to servers.

It might build it's own WinPE boot option, I'm not sure.

have you tried looking on the HP website on the RDP support section? There's a link in the HP RDP PDF.

Brandon · 11-24-2008, 04:36 AM

It does appear to be pretty simple to copy what is needed from the CD and import this into the DS. Seeing how many tasks are included with this pack I am considering keeping it on its own server now though. I wont' be able to know until I can get RDP set up in the lab for testing.

After reading the pdf better under the support section I have searched, with no luck, and posted for assitance in the HP forums. While it isn't the easiest section to find, it does exist:
https://forums13.itrc.hp.com/service...categoryId=299

rossy416 · 12-10-2008, 08:56 AM

How will licensing work with this model? Will you need to mix RDP licenses and normal Altiris DS licenses on the same server? Has anyone tried this in practice, and have a support statement?

Brandon · 12-10-2008, 01:02 PM

I know I read about this but I cannot find it again. I think it may have been in the documentation pdf from the rdp iso. Basically you get .lic files though and you can just add them to your existing ones using the Altiris Licensing Utility. It doesn't appear to make a differentiation of Altiris Server licenses vs RDP server licenses.

What it really comes down to if you aren't comfortable doing unattended OS installs then use RDP. However if you don't mind setting it up, there is nothing to it for Windows 2008 SOSI. 2003 is a little more involved but not bad. They even detail it some in the KB How To Create A Localized Windows 2008 Scripted Install Job

The licensing in general with the DS is such a pain I didn't bother trying to get RDP involved as well. I just made the job on my own. The real gold of the whole process is in the ProLiant Support Packs. HP ProLiant Support Pack*-* Download drivers and software - HP Business Support Center
After the scripted install is complete just run hpsum.exe -silent -force from the latest PSP and capture codes 1 and 3 as success.

rossy416 · 12-10-2008, 01:13 PM

Cool, thanks.

The differentiation I'm making is between hardware types. For example, RDP (HP) will only support stuff on their own support matrix, i.e. ML\BL\DL servers and a small number of blade PC's.

If we want to deploy standard desktops using the RDP server (not on that support list), then I think a separate license is required from Symantec so support is available. Functioanly though, as I understand it, the RDP server will happily deploy thin and PC clients, but if ther are any issues, they will not be supported through by HP unless they are on the list (i'd like to post the list, but the site wont let me).

Brandon · 12-10-2008, 01:33 PM

You may not need an Altiris license to deploy a non-HP node using RDP(aka a re-branded Deployment Server) but HP will not support those looks to be true. From a techincal standpoint you could do it, from a license agreement standpoint I don't know. The way this question is asnwered it makes me think it is fine: HP.com - ProLiant Management - ProLiant Essentials Rapid Deployment Pack - Questions and Answers
You would have to contact Altiris or HP for clarifiaction or a support statement probably.

One thing that is true is that RDP licenses are permanent and Altiris licenses can be re-used when a machine is replaced. So why would anyone apply a permenant license to a desktop(non thin client)? Plus I think the RDP license costs at least double.

We purchased enough Integrity/RDP licenses for each enclosure for blade provisioning. This will be done from an RDP only console. Regular stand-alone servers can be done with our normal DS server/Altiris server license via SOSI jobs I have set up.

Is this confusing yet?

rossy416 · 12-11-2008, 08:02 AM

OK, so does that increase the number of deployment servers you need?

I'm looking to find a solution that allows the RDP server to be licensed for both HP hardware (servers) and normal PC's (clients). The solution seems to be dual licenses on the RDP server (HP and Symantec) meaning both ate supported (seek confirmation from Symantec for each individual case) and licensed separately, but machines are controlled centrally.