Microsoft Automated Purposing Framework to Automate Server Installations
Host Guide_KenM
Welcome to today's TechNet Chat. Our topic is Microsoft Automated Purposing Framework to Automate Server Installations. Questions, comments, and suggestions are welcome.
Host Guide_KenM
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Host Guide_KenM
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Host Guide_KenM
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Host Guide_KenM
We have a full line-up of SMEs (Subject Matter Experts) for you today.
Host Guest_Mary
Welcome everyone. Thank you for attending today's chat. I would like to introduce our subject matter experts: Paul Edlund and Mike Szymczak who are Senior System Engineers with eQuest Technologies.
Host Guest_Mary
Welcome to Paul & Mike and thanks for enlightening us today!
Host Guide_KenM
And I'm Ken McGrath, TechNet/MSDN Web and Communities Producer.
Host Guide_KenM
Let's get things started!
Host Guest_Mary
Should anyone have any questions or require some direct feedback, please feel free to whisper to me. For more information about eQuest Technologies, please visit http://www.eqinc.com or contact us at internetsolutions@eqinc.com.
Host Guest_Mary
Now I will hand it over to Paul and Mike.
Host Guest_Paul
Q: Where can I get the APF bits?
Host Guest_Paul
A: APF is currently available through either Microsoft Consulting Services or by subscribing to an eQuest (http://www.eqinc.com) quickstart program.
Host Guest_Paul
Q: What is the Automated Provisioning Framework?
Host Guest_Paul
A: APF is the Microsoft solution for deploying servers in large enterprises or
Hosting facilities. However, it can also be used to install servers anywhere that complex builds are the norm or where you need to build servers constantly. Such as labs or testing environments
Host Guest_Paul
A: APF allows you to completely install and configure a server without ever touching the keyboard. :) In the case of Compaq servers with a Remote Insight Board, Lights Out Edition… you don't even need a boot floppy disk.
Host Guest_Paul
A: You simply turn on the server and when you come back, the server is completely installed and configured.
Host Guest_Paul
Q: What if MCS has already used APF on a customer. Can I leverage that IP?
Host Guest_Paul
A: APF uses many shared experiences from many customers. The library grows as people submit information to it. Kind of like Biztalk where people create adapters
Host Guest_Paul
Q: what is the cost of implementing APF? I mean MCS costs + products costs ...
Host Guest_Paul
A: The cost of APF is $2000 plus the cost of a quickstart program to get you up and running
Host Guest_Paul
that includes knowledge transfer
Host Guest_Paul
as well as a working environment
Host Guest_Mary
Q: How does APF work?
Host Guest_Paul
Q: How does APF work?
Host Guest_Paul
A: APF uses many of the utilities currently available today however significant mind share has been allocated to this application. Server builds are carried out in four phases: PreOS, InstallOS, cmdLines and PostOS.
Host Guest_Paul
A: These stages are responsible for each aspect of the build. Each Stage has multiple phases so you can add software at each layer.… rebooting as many times as necessary until the installation is complete.
Host Guest_Paul
A: APF contains scripts for many standard installations such as Exchange, Content Management Server, Sharepoint Portal Server, SQL Server, etc. In addition, any application that can be installed from the command line can also be quickly integrated in APF.
Host Guest_Paul
Q: If I pay the $2000 can I implement APF on other customers?
Host Guest_Paul
A: You would need to become certified by MS in order to redistribute APF
Host Guest_Paul
Q: could it be used for Disaster Recovery of servers?
Host Guest_Paul
A: Yes... APF is ideal for disaster recovery
Host Guest_Paul
A: It allows you to rebuild servers quickly and without user intervention... then you would use it in conjunction with a backup solution to restore data
Host Guest_Paul
Q: what kind of certification do I need to redistrib APF?
Host Guest_Paul
A: You need to have been "blessed" by Microsoft Consulting Services in order to redistribute it. It's not like an MCSE.
Host Guest_Paul
A: MS wants to ensure that you understand the APF process
Host Guest_Paul
Q: it sounds nice ... could an installation 'image' be created from a running server?
Host Guest_Paul
A: Yes...
Host Guest_Paul
You can use APF in conjunction with image software such as Ghost
Host Guest_MikeEquest
A: xdude : What's the relation between APF, RIS, Sysprep, Unattend and WinPE?
Host Guest_Mary
Q: Who is using APF currently?
Host Guest_MikeEquest
A: APF utilizes existing automation technologies such as RIS, Sysprep, Unattend and WinPE but adds the connectivity to configure hardware and layered products from a central engine.
Host Guest_Paul
Q: Who is using APF currently?
Host Guest_Paul
A: APF is being used by tier 1 and tier 2 Hosting facilities currently because they had the most issues with building out servers quickly and in a lights out fashion
Host Guest_MikeEquest
A: For Example...
Host Guest_Mary
Q: How much does APF improve server installation times?
Host Guest_Paul
Q: How much does APF improve server installation times?
Host Guest_MikeEquest
A: APF can configure hardware in the preOS stage, kickoff an unattended OS install, autologon and configure layered products in the PostOS
Host Guest_Paul
A: Case studies at the Tier 1 and Tier 2 Hosting companies have shown that server build times can be reduced by as much as 50%. Most installations go from about 3 hours to 1 hour 30 minutes (with all software installed and configured)
Host Guest_Paul
Q: What hardware is actually being supported, is there any restriction about this?
Host Guest_Paul
A: APF supports any standard hardware with ease but it really shines with Compaq gear
Host Guest_Paul
Q: How does APF handle manual operations? Example: Adding relay restrictions to a SMTP server.
Host Guest_Paul
A: APF can automate adding relay restrictions because that is managed by editing the IIS metabase... which apf can automate
Host Guest_MikeEquest
Q: jmcarlis : Are there any services that manage the APF process, kind of like RIS uses?
Host Guest_MikeEquest
A: The APF engine is based on scripts that process manifest files which determine how a server is built
Host Guest_MikeEquest
A: So unlike RIS, there is no service.
Host Guest_Paul
Q: ; Do you use such tools?
Host Guest_Paul
A: APF does leverage tools such as Script IT, but editing the metabase can also be accomplished via using command line tools such as ADSUTIL
Host Guest_Paul
A: Essentially, anything that can be called from a command line can be integrated into APF
Host Guest_Paul
Q: How is the process started on the server to be built? Image, boot floppy?
Host Guest_Paul
A: Compaq Servers can be kicked off via the Remote Insight Board virtual floppy
Host Guest_Paul
A: In addition...
Host Guest_Paul
A: You can start the install process from boot floppy (which is created for you), bootable CD or PXE
Host Guest_MikeEquest
Q: xdude : Does APF document the 1st server? The one with DHCP and source?
Host Guest_MikeEquest
A: APF documentation does describe the source configuration which consists commonly of a predefined directory and share structure.
Host Guest_Paul
A: The utilities needed to kick off the installation are included in the APF software... but in general you need a boot diskette...
Host Guest_Paul
A: a share where the scripts are stored on your network...
Host Guest_Paul
A: and a share for your software to be installed
Host Guest_Paul
A: APF creates what used o be done via the unattended process as well as the uniqueness file
Host Guest_Paul
A: in addition, it handles all the other software
Host Guest_MikeEquest
Q: pcolazurdo : In a Hosting environment is usually common to have a lot of VLANS, firewalls and so on, between the AFP server and the one being installed... do you have any specific info about the design being recommended ?
Host Guest_MikeEquest
A: Whenever booting from a DOS environment, you are limited in design options. In cases where network connectivity may be an issue, other options such as bootable CD's, etc. are available. that you would install after the server is built... such as Exchange, etc
Host Guest_Paul
Q: Is there support for clusters and DataCenter ?
Host Guest_Paul
A: Yes... clusters and DataCenter Server are supported in the automated builds
Host Guest_Paul
Q: If I buy APF will I get free upgrades with, for instance, new scripts for Windows Server 2003, SQL 2010, Exchange 2030,...?
Host Guest_Paul
A: Scripts are a community based service... so as people create new scripts... such as the one I created for installing BackupExec servers... yes.. you could get them
Host Guest_Paul
A: Microsoft is working out the details of creating a location to store scripts
Host Guest_Paul
A: Microsoft creates scripts for all of it's products so those will also be available to anyone that gets APF
Host Guest_MikeEquest
Q: jmcarlis : How does it handle reboots that are required? With Compaq servers, you must configure the array, create the diag partition then populate this partition. Does it use persistent variables?
Host Guest_MikeEquest
A: APF uses state files that track the progress of the various stages. On Compaq servers, this is stored in NVRAM and on clones, this information is kept in text files on the network share.
Host Guest_Paul
Q: Since APF will be used to build more Microsoft boxes, shouldn't it be free and available for download?
Host Guest_Paul
A: Is anything really free? :) The cost is based on the amount of time it saves people who perform many installs
Host Guest_Paul
A: in addition... it's still a complex process to understand... so getting the knowledge transfer is essential
Host Guest_Paul
One you understand the product though... it becomes very powerful
Host Guest_Paul
Q: Why do we need MSCS or eQuest to do the work for us?
Host Guest_Paul
A: Because like I just said above... this isn't like installing Exchange... there's a learning curve here that is not something you can transfer to paper quickly in a document... once that is in place.. perhaps you won’t need us
Host Guest_Paul
.... until then, you would be very much in the dark with the software and no knowledge transfer
Host Guest_Mary
Q: What's included in APF?
Host Guest_Paul
Q: What's included in APF?
Host Guest_Paul
A: APF includes the core installation framework and over 250 scripts to load various aspects of a server including hardware, operating systems and applications. In addition, APF includes the APF Explorer which is a GUI based application that generates al
Host Guest_Paul
A: This GUI allows you to create a server build with the single click of the mouse.
Host Guest_Mary
Q: How will APF affect my current network architecture?
Host Guest_Paul
Q: How will APF affect my current network architecture?
Host Guest_Paul
A: APF can be easily and seamlessly integrated into any existing architecture. It will not affect any current servers and can be implemented on an as needed basis.
Host Guest_Paul
Q: why is the APF not found within Technet, as a MSCS $ option, when searching for automated installs? What other goodies do I need to contact MSCS to find out they exist?
Host Guest_Paul
A: APF is just coming out of beta and MS hasn't put the marketing engine behind it yet.
Host Guest_Paul
A: As for other goodies... you might want to check out MPS
Host Guest_Paul
A: If you're in the Hosting business... MPS will definitely be of help to you
Host Guest_MikeEquest
Q: xdude : Can you predict the amount of work to add custom .net/3 tier apps to APF? SOmething like adding DB scripts, COM+ and .Net, ASP.Net pages.
Host Guest_MikeEquest
A: The workload depends on the existing scripting capabilities of each application. Many apps already include silent installation options and configurations can be easily made using standard registry/metabase editing tools.
Host Guest_Mary
Thanks to all for attending today's session.
Host Guest_Mary
Thanks to our SMEs Paul and Mike. For more information about eQuest Technologies, please contact us at internetsolutions@eqinc.com.
Host Guest_Mary
Please look for your newsletter with the next chat topic and feel free to ping the Web
Hosters Team with any suggestions.
Host Guest_Paul
Thanks for attending today's chat! If you'd like to know more about the Microsoft Automated Purposing Framework, go to the following URL: http://www.eqinc.com/products/Automated%20Purposing%20Framework%20Quick%20Start%20Program.pdf
Host Guest_Paul
Thanks for the great questions everyone!
Host Guide_KenM
Thanks for joining us today and thanks for the questions. It's time for us to go now. You'll be able to find the transcript of this chat soon on the TechNet Web site at http://www.microsoft.com/technet/community/chats/trans/default.mspx Please see the chats schedule for upcoming topics.
