can RDP be used as a OEM builder solution

[TechnoByte]

I'm a OEM Builder, and I have a client who purchases systems for THERE clients.

What ends up happening is there client usually is light on IT help. I'm wondering if RDP comes with the SmartStart software or if it needs to be purchased separately or if it comes w/ DL380G5 servers.

Would using RDP for a OEM builder be an ok use. I do not like using WinPE so if this isn't a option I might just go back to Acronis.

[David Claypool]

SmartStart is a boot CD which provides an assisted interactive installation for a single system, helping to set up the hardware and then install Windows with the HP drivers, utilities and agents of the ProLiant Support Pack.

RDP provides a non-interactive installation method with tools to set the hardware config and then deploy Windows (or Linux) with the ProLiant Support Pack.

So, yes, you should be able to use RDP to help building your ProLiant servers.

[Gordon Leonard]

RDP does *not* come with SmartStart.

http://h18004.www1.hp.com/products/servers/management/rdp/index.html

[Adrian Clint]

RDP needs WinPE, BartPE or the Windows WAIK so if you dont like those then RDP is not for you.

RDP is not suitable for an OEM system builder. The license cost for RDP assumes that you own the client and want to deploy it more than once. You dont want to pay $150 just to stick an image on.

You would be better with Ghost/Acronis and pay a per deployed image license cost if required than a managed machine cost license with RDP.

[Steven Clementi]

"You dont want to pay $150 just to stick an image on.
"

This depends upon how many servers you want to deploy simultaneously.

On another note, SmartStart iso images are downloadable for free. You don't need to "buy" it. SmartStart comes with ALL DL3xx and 5xx servers.

RDP on the other hand is license based. You need to have a license for every server that you plan on managing with the software. If you need to build 10 servers at the same time, then you will need 10 licenses. If you only ever need to build 1 server at a time, then you need... 1 license.

As mentioned, there are probably better/easier ways to deploy an OS for an OEM, but none-the-less... should work just fine.


Steven

[Adrian Clint]

But thats the thing. Technobyte does not want to manage them, he wants to stick "an" (singular over time) image on and then ship the server out the door.

You can get a ghost or similar single event imaging license for a few dollars. Why pay $150 per event.

[Steven Clementi]

"Why pay $150 per event."

It's a one time fee. All you need is one license if you are doing one at a time.

I never said it was the best choice, just that it would work. ;o)

There are several other simple ways to replicate an image.... some of them don;t cost any money at all.


Steven