6.12 Imaging a New System

You have different options for preparing an Oracle Exadata system for deployment.

Using a preconf.csv file with the PXE and ISO options enables an unattended first boot configuration and greatly simplifies the installation but is not mandatory. It is possible to boot from the installation media and follow the prompts to configure the system.

Starting with Oracle Exadata System Software release 19.1.0, Secure Eraser is automatically started during re-imaging if the hardware supports Secure Eraser. This significantly simplifies the re-imaging procedure while maintaining performance. Now, when re-purposing a rack, you only have to image the rack and the secure data erasure is taken care of transparently as part of the process.

In release 12.1.2.2.0 and above, the installation media has been simplified, and it is no longer necessary to build files using the ImageMaker process.

• Using ISO Images to Image a New System
  You can download ISO images to use when upgrading your Oracle Exadata.
• Using Elastic Configuration to Image a New System
  Elastic configuration is now the standard methodology for all new deployments, and applies to Oracle Exadata X4-8 and later servers.
• Using ISO to Image a New System
  You can use ISO to prepare a new Exadata system for deployment.
• Using PXE to Image a New System
  You can use PXE to prepare a new Exadata system for deployment.
• Updates to Imaging Parameters
  Some of the command line options for imaging have changed with 12.1.2.1.0 and above.