Cloud-Based Automated Server Installation System Overview

Project Background As the number of IDC servers grows, frequent system changes make manual OS installation labor‑intensive, and manual entry of asset information into the CMDB prone to errors. An automated, remote installation solution became essential.

Feature Introduction The cloud installation system supports remote OS deployment, power control, automatic server information collection, system template management based on business line and hardware, rack and IP data entry, real‑time progress display, and automatic CMDB synchronization.

Core Technologies

PXE : Network boot allowing clients to download images from a remote server for OS installation.

Kickstart (KS) files : Automated installation scripts that answer all installer prompts and can embed shell scripts for progress reporting.

Comparison with Native PXE+KS The enhanced solution adds automatic server information collection, backend synchronization, multi‑template management, rack data recording for visualization, concurrent installations, real‑time progress monitoring, and automatic CMDB updates, reducing manual errors.

System Architecture The platform follows a three‑tier design with six functional modules, employing a front‑back separation and API‑based communication.

UI Module: Remote power control, device discovery, new device entry, device list management, and template management. Server Module: Provides API services for data entry, queries, and integration between UI and lower layers. Hardware Module: Manages supported hardware information and manual addition of new devices. CMDB Module: Stores server hardware, system, rack, and administrator data. BootOS Module: Uses an agent to collect and report device information for automatic discovery. Installation Module: Supplies DHCP/TFTP/HTTP/DNS services for physical machine installation.

Installation Process

1. Boot server via PXE using remote management card. 2. BootOS starts and launches the Agent. 3. Agent reports information to Server; new device is discovered. 4. Backend records server info and queues it for installation. 5. Agent reports MAC address; Server generates PXE installation files. 6. Agent reboots server to begin OS installation. 7. System retrieves KS and OS image files. 8. OS is installed and post‑installation scripts run. 9. Agent reports progress; Server marks installation complete and reboots. 10. Server syncs installation data to CMDB.

System Usage Demonstration Steps include PXE boot, device discovery, new device entry, progress monitoring, and automatic CMDB recording upon completion.

Current Status The solution replaces traditional manual installation, supports concurrent deployment of up to 30 servers, reduces installation time from over 20 minutes to under 10 minutes per server, has installed over 600 servers, and manages more than 30 templates.