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Installing the OS direct to SAN

When the Flex Client does not have an OS already installed or if you just want to perform a clean install, Double-Take Flex offers the capability to install the OS directly on the SAN from the Flex Client DVD drive.

Note:

This option is only available for Windows Vista, 2008, and Win7. (You can also install direct to SAN on Linux platforms (refer to Linux-specific documentation Installing RHEL direct to SAN, Installing OpenSUSE or SLES direct to SAN, and
Setting up iSCSI boot clients with a Flex daemon on an OpenSUSE server.

Prerequisites

The following list identifies tasks that must be completed before installing the OS direct to SAN.

  1. Create an iSCSI target disk on the SAN.

The size must be sufficient to install the Flex Client OS.

  1. Define and associate the target and Flex Client configurations in the Double-Take Flex Management Console. For instructions, see the following topics:
  1. Access the client BIOS and set the appropriate boot device depending on if you are using PXE boot or a local boot agent. For instructions, see Setting the Flex Client to boot from network.

Installing a Windows OS

  1. In the Double-Take Flex Management Console, right-click the Flex Client or Flex Client group and select Properties.
  2. Click the Advanced tab.
  3. Select the PXE boot menu checkbox.
  4. Insert the OS installation DVD or CD into the Flex Client.
  5. Boot the Flex Client from the network (PXE boot).
  6. When the PXE boot menu is displayed, select Next BBS Device.

Note:

If this fails to allow access to the DVD, then reboot and, alternatively, select ATAPI DVD/CD-ROM.

The Flex Client obtains iSCSI boot parameters from the Double-Take Flex Managment service and continues to boot from the DVD.

  1. When prompted, specify the OS product key and accept the EULA.
  2. When prompted for installation, choose Custom.
  3. Select the iSCSI disk.

An easy way to select the correct iSCSI disk from a list is to match the size of the disk with the size of the target created in the first prerequisite. If no iSCSI disk is present, you may need to load a driver for your particular NIC before you can proceed to the next step.

  1. Proceed with the installation until complete.

There is no need to further modify Flex Client BIOS settings.