Article Number: 000151616
How-To Dell Server: Install an Operating System on a PowerEdge
Summary: This page explains how to use to install a new operating system on a Dell PowerEdge server. It contains tutorials to use the Lifecycle Controller to deploy an operating system.
Article Content
Symptoms
This article explains how to use to install a new operating system on a Dell server (PowerEdge). It contains tutorials to use the Lifecycle Controller to deploy an operating system.
Cause
Not applicable
Resolution
Table of contents
- How the Operating System Deployment Works
- Operating System Installation Articles
- List of Available Videos
- Technical Articles Regarding Operating System Installation
This page explains how to use to install a new operating system on a Dell server (PowerEdge). It contains tutorials to use the Lifecycle Controller to deploy an operating system.
How the Operating System Deployment Works
The OS Deployment feature in the Lifecycle Controller helps to install an operating system with the correct drivers in a few steps. The OS Deployment wizard allows an administrator to deploy:
- Dell-supported operating systems (drivers are automatically installed)
- Customized operating systems (drivers are automatically installed)
- Any other Operating systems (required drivers are manually installed)
Note: OS Deployment wizard also allows RAID configuration before installing the Operating System if it is not already configured.
The list of Dell-supported operating systems changes based on the driver packs updated on the system. To update the drivers, download the latest OS Driver pack that is associated to your server.
Compatible and supported Operating Systems for PowerEdge can be checked on the Dell Support Matrix.
Operating System manuals and installation guides can be found on Dell.com/OperatingSystemManuals.
If the operating system is installed without using Lifecycle Controllers, some drivers are missing and must be manually installed.
Operating System Installation Articles
How to Install the Operating System on a Dell PowerEdge Server
This article explains how to use the OS Deployment feature to install or reinstall a supported operating system on a server.
This guide works for all supported operating systems. In most cases, Windows Server, RedHat, SUSE, and CentOS are supported. For more support information, reference the Dell Support Matrix.
To install VMware ESXi on a Dell Server, it is recommended to boot directly on the Dell Customized Image.
For more information, reference Dell EMC Customized Image of VMware ESXi Availability and Download Instructions.
For a remote installation, consider the following two articles:
- How to Create a Bootable USB Device with Rufus to Update Dell Servers
- Using the Virtual Media function on iDRAC6, iDRAC7, iDRAC8 and iDRAC9
List of Available Videos
Install Windows 2016 in UEFI Mode Using LifeCycle Controller
Duration: 00:04:59
Closed captions: English only. Use the CC icon to enable closed captions.
OS Deployment (VMware ESXi) - Installing Using CD/DVD
Duration: 00:05:04
Closed captions: English only. Use the CC icon to enable closed captions.
Technical Articles regarding Operating System installation
- How to load PERC drivers
When deploying an operating system without using the OS Deployment feature, the RAID Controller drivers may not be in the installation wizard. As a result, no available partition is displayed during the installation.
How to manually load the PERC Drivers during Windows 2003, 2008 or 2012 installation is explained in Dell PowerEdge: How the load the PERC Drivers during Windows 2003, 2008 or 2012 installation.
- How to load USB 3 drivers on Windows 2008 R2
Article Properties
Affected Product
PowerEdge
Last Published Date
22 Feb 2023
Version
9
Article Type
Solution