Week 6

2.10 Understand operating system (OS) deployment considerations in a digital support context

• System requirements.

• Hardware configuration.

• Methods of installation and deployment:

o network-based

o local (for example, CD/USB)

o virtualised

o cloud-based.

• Boot methods:

o internal hard drive:

– SSD

– HDD

o external media drive:

– USB-based/solid state (for example, flash drive, hot-swappable drive)

o network-based:

– preboot execution environment (PXE)

– Netboot.

• Partitioning:

o dynamic

o basic

o primary

o extended

o logical

o GUID Partition Table (GPT).

• File system types:

o Extensible File Allocation Table (exFAT)

o FAT32

o New Technology File System (NTFS)

o Resilient File System (ReFS)

o Network File System (NFS)

o third extended file system (ext3)

o fourth extended file system (ext4)

o Hierarchical File System (HFS)

o swap partition.

• File system formatting:

o quick format:

– files easier to recover

– no scanning for bad sectors

– less time intensive

o full format:

– full scrubbing of files

– files harder to recover

– full scan of bad sectors

– more time intensive.

2.11 Understand the types of deployment methods and the advantages and disadvantages of their application

• Unattended installation – requires minimal technician response due

to pre-defined options being set up:

• Thin imaging:

o advantages:

– used on a large scale

– used on a variety of devices

– ability to put out latest software for build

– flexibility

o disadvantages:

– requires more maintenance

– more difficult to configure.

• Base image:

o advantages:

– used on a large scale

– built to meet specific purpose

– easier to create

o disadvantages:

– more difficult to maintain

– less flexible.

• In-place upgrade – upgrading an operating system without a full

clean install

o advantages:

– efficient process

– user profiles are not lost

– simple process

o disadvantages:

– potential compatibility issues

– requires operating system media or large download.

• Manual clean install – installing an operating system with the installation media:

o advantages:

– most appropriate/latest version of operating system

– simple process

o disadvantages:

– may require a back-up

– timely process.

• Repair installation – performing a repair installation without data loss and without upgrading:

o advantages:

– no loss of data

– no need to check compatibility

– may resolve operating system and application instabilities

o disadvantages:

– manual process

– may not resolve operating system and application instabilities.

• Multi-boot – ability to boot a single device with multiple operating systems

o advantages:

– ability to run multiple operating systems from different

manufacturers

o disadvantage:

– difficult to set up and maintain.

• Remote network installation – installing an operating system from a network boot:

o advantages:

– physical access may not be needed

– takes advantage of unattended installation

– efficient deployment to multiple devices

o disadvantages:

– speed of deployment is limited to network capabilities

– specific network configuration may be required

– requirement for specific device features (for example

PXE booting capabilities)

– significant configuration required.

Last Updated
2026-07-13 09:05:04