Vmware Autodeploy justification

[Gortee]

All,

I have always used installs of ESXi to either local hard drives or boot from SAN lun's.  I have considered autodeploy but the requirement on vsphere is always scared me away.   Here I am considering it again ... Just to note I already have a management cluster that will not be using auto deploy and already run's my vcenters.   So help me justify using auto deploy or not.   I am looking for pro's / con's of each options as a design choice justification.  

Take into account both options with stateless caching and stateful installs.

Let me know if your using it and what experiences you have had as well.

Thanks

[abhilashhb]

I have heard many Pros when it comes to Auto deploy.

But i always felt it is useful only when it comes to large environments where it simplifies an administrator's job if installing ESXi into every single server box.

If you do not have budget constraints and have enough storage i feel going with SAN boot with a dedicated boot LUN always make sense. What if your PXE setup fails?

I have tried Auto Deploy a couple of times. I feel Its not an option in my environment. But i did it for test purposes and learning. And thats my opinion

here are some really good Series of blogs by Kyle Gleed

Auto Deploy Stateless Caching – How Does Stateless Caching Work? | VMware vSphere Blog - VMware Blog...

Auto Deploy Stateless Caching – Auto Deploy Server Outage | VMware vSphere Blog - VMware Blogs

Auto Deploy Stateless Caching – Stateless Caching and Network Isolated Hosts | VMware vSphere Blog -...

Auto Deploy Stateless Caching – Stateless Caching and PXE Infrastructure Outages? | VMware vSphere B...

They all speak of Pros and Cons of Auto Deploy.

[OscarDavey]

You have to consider your scenario , Auto deploy in my opinion is always good and saves u alot of work , yes it can be pain in the beginning until u set it up but then believe me it is your best friend .

I say go with it and if you need help let me know .

Best regards

Your Oscar

[Gortee]

Thanks for the info.  I am looking for a design justification.  Tell me about how you have avoided the issues in your environment related to vcenter being down on a total failure.  Looking for a pro's and con's list to help make the justification to management and a deployment method that works.  TFPT Virtual / Physical VC physical / Virtual etc..