Apple Server Diagnostics - Overview of Server Diagnostics Configurations

Chapter 1

Overview and Requirements

7

Option

Considerations

Use the preinstalled Server Diagnostics EFI

Advantages:

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You can use Server Diagnostics EFI

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You don’t need a portable storage device

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Server Diagnostics EFI typically loads faster
than any other method

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No installation is necessary

Disadvantages:

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Requires a server with Mac OS X Server 10.6
or later preinstalled

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You need physical access to the server

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Damage to the startup volume may prevent
access to Server Diagnostics EFI

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You can’t save logs or screenshots locally

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You must restore Server Diagnostics if you
erase the volume it’s installed on

Install Server Diagnostics EFI on a portable
storage device

Advantages:

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You can use Server Diagnostics EFI

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You can use the same portable storage device
to test multiple servers

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You can save logs and screenshots locally

Disadvantages:

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You need physical access to the server

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You need a volume on the portable storage
device that has 30 MB free and that doesn’t
have Mac OS X or Mac OS X Server installed

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The portable storage device must be physically
connected to the server

Install Server Diagnostics EFI on the hard disk

Advantages:

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You can use Server Diagnostics EFI

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You don’t need a portable storage device

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You can save logs and screenshots locally

Disadvantages:

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You need physical access to the server

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You need a volume on the server that has
30 MB free and doesn’t have Mac OS X or
Mac OS X Server installed

Option

Considerations

Host a NetBoot server

Advantages:

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You can use Server Diagnostics EFI

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You don’t need to install Server Diagnostics on
an internal volume on the server or on
a portable storage device

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You can use a single Server Diagnostics install
image to test multiple servers

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If you’re testing an Xserve and have access
to its front panel, you can start up Server
Diagnostics without an input device
connected to the Xserve

Disadvantages:

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You need physical access to the server

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You need a server to host NetBoot service and
the Server Diagnostics install image

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The server must be on the same subnet as the
NetBoot server

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You can’t save logs or screenshots locally

Start up the Server Diagnostics EFI located on the
Admin Tools disc

Advantages:

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You can use Server Diagnostics EFI

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You can use the same disc to test multiple
servers

Disadvantages:
(if your server has an optical drive)

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You need physical access to the server

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You must insert the disc in the server

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You can’t save logs or take screenshots

Disadvantages:
(if your server doesn’t have an optical drive)

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You need a computer with an optical drive and
remote access to the server

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You can’t save logs locally

Install Server Diagnostics Mac OS X on a portable
storage device

Advantages:

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You can use Server Diagnostics Mac OS X

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You can use a single portable storage device to
test multiple servers

Disadvantages:

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You need an empty volume on the portable
storage device with 10 GB free

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You must install Mac OS X Server on the empty
volume

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The portable storage device must be physically
connected to the server

8

Chapter 1

Overview and Requirements