Control Network

The control network is the network used by the OS provisioning server for two primary functions:

• Managing the network management port of the target host to control power state, boot order, and console of the target platform

• Configuring the boot and install servers for provisioning activity

The control network can be a pure IP network or may have serial/terminal server elements. The OS provisioning server communicates with the boot and install servers over an IP network. At the same time, communication with the network management port of the target host may occur over an IP network or a serial network. The control network can span many subnets. The only requirement on the control network is that all boot and install servers and target network management ports can be routed from the OS provisioning server.