Using the Deploy compute node images task to deploy operating systems

You can use the IBM Flex System Manager web interface to deploy operating system and virtual images to multiple compute nodes quickly and easily.

About this task

The management software provides a simple way to deploy operating systems images to bare metal systems, or systems that do not already have an operating system installed. This function is limited to deploying the VMware ESXi and Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) to X-Architecture compute nodes.

The Deploy compute node images task is capable of mass operating-system deployment; the management software supports up to 56 X-Architecture compute nodes for concurrent deployment. You can launch the task from the Chassis Map view, the Home page, or the IBM FSM Explorer console in the management software web interface.

Note: You can use Configuration Patterns to assign firmware and boot order settings for the X-Architecture compute nodes before you deploy operating systems or virtual images to them. See Modifying firmware and hardware configuration settings for more information about Configuration Patterns.

See Supported operating systems for details about operating systems that are supported for bare-metal deployment in the management software.

Before you use the Deploy compute node images task, make sure that you read Preparing to import and deploy compute node images.