HP Integrity rx2800 Installation Guide, Windows Server 2008 R2 v7.0 - Page 107

E Headless Windows Installations Users of Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2 are familiar with the setup, installation, and operation of systems using a keyboard, video, and mouse. However, these users might not be familiar with the set of headless functionality provided by HP Integrity servers. Integrity servers provide a set of tools to set up, install, manage, and use the system in a headless manner. The benefits of headless servers include: • Elimination of the last remnant of legacy hardware • Simpler to reconfigure partitions • Easier system deployment and maintenance • Readiness for future fine-grained partitioning Windows on Integrity can be installed using several flexible headless installation methods that match a full range of user scenarios. After the system is installed, all interaction occurs through the Remote Desktop feature. Remote Desktop provides the best user interface experience to a Windows system without the complexities related to a full Terminal Services deployment. The GUI resolution, color depth, and mouse interaction outperform other remote GUI methods. Why Headless? Integrity servers are built on an inherently legacy-free architecture. By building on this legacy-free foundation, systems are more stable and are easier to configure and maintain. What is a Headless System? Headless systems do not have a legacy VGA monitor or PS/2 keyboard/mouse hardware. A system with these hardware devices is not headless because these devices are detected by Windows and drivers are loaded for them. For example, a system with the A6869B Graphics USB card is not headless even if there is no monitor, keyboard, or mouse connected. This means that the advantages of a completely legacy-free system are not fully available. As another example, a PCI card with hardware related to the head, such as the A6869B, cannot be hot-plugged. However, users can still take advantage of some of the benefits of interacting with a system using headless methods. Benefits of Headless Systems VGA hardware is the last legacy piece of hardware in Integrity systems. By eliminating this device, a system is easier to set up, maintain, and operate. The presence of VGA hardware restricts the ease of repartitioning cellular systems. Because of the legacy hardware requirements of VGA, there are very specific rules for the IO slot location of the graphics card. As partitions are changed or created, the presence of this card in an IO chassis can create configurations that are invalid. This causes customer confusion and can require that the graphics card and other cards be moved. If an IO card connected to the boot drive must be moved, this can cause the installed OS to fail to boot. As the system is powering on, much of the hardware must be initialized and configured before the IO path to the graphics card can be used. This delays the display of the firmware forward progress messages. All of these messages are immediately visible through the headless port, giving more visibility into the state of the system. Customers can simplify their data center by avoiding the deployment or expansion of their console switch environment. Cabling and rack-mount monitors complicate the installation of servers in racks. Console switches with remote viewing capabilities do not present the same high resolution GUI that is available through Remote Desktop. Remote Desktop also provides a more responsive mouse input experience. These remote view console switches also require user authentication management, which further complicates systems that are being installed or repartitioned. Why Headless? 107