CompTIA Server+ (SK0-005)Server AdministrationHard
A server administrator is tasked with deploying a new application across 50 virtual machines. Each VM requires the same operating system, application stack, and initial configuration. Manually installing and configuring each VM would be time-consuming and prone to errors. Which deployment method would be most efficient and ensure consistency across all VMs?
- APXE boot and unattended installation
- BCreating a golden image (template) and deploying it
- CScripting individual installations with a custom Bash script
- DManual OS installation via ISO for each VM
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. Creating a golden image (template) and deploying it
Creating a golden image (template) with the OS, application stack, and initial configuration pre-installed is the most efficient and consistent method for deploying many identical virtual machines. This minimizes manual effort and reduces configuration drift.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. PXE boot with unattended installation is good for physical servers but less efficient for 50 *virtual machines* when a template can be cloned directly.
- C. While scripting is good, creating and deploying a golden image is generally more efficient for a large number of VMs with identical configurations than scripting each full installation, which still involves installation steps rather than just cloning.
- D. Manually installing each VM is highly inefficient and error-prone for 50 VMs.
Golden Image (VM Template)
A golden image, or VM template, is a pre-configured virtual machine disk image that includes an operating system, applications, and configurations, used as a master copy for deploying multiple identical VMs.
- Ensures consistency and standardization
- Accelerates VM deployment
- Reduces manual configuration errors
Memory trick: VM deployment: Clone the gold, avoid the toil!