Certified - CompTIA Server+

A bare metal installation refers to deploying an operating system directly onto physical server hardware without an underlying hypervisor or existing operating system. This method installs the OS from scratch and claims full control of the system’s resources. Bare metal deployment is essential when maximum performance, control, and reliability are required. Server Plus includes bare metal installation techniques as a foundational skill for server setup and lifecycle management.
Bare metal installation is typically chosen for fresh server deployments, high-performance roles, or critical infrastructure workloads. These include database servers, virtualization hosts, or clustered roles that must minimize abstraction layers. Bare metal systems give administrators total control over storage layout, service configuration, and resource allocation. When virtual overhead is unacceptable or when low-level access is needed, bare metal is the deployment method of choice.
Before installing the operating system, administrators must prepare the physical server. This includes verifying firmware versions, inspecting power cabling, and ensuring network connectivity. Minimum operating system requirements such as CPU type, RAM size, and disk availability must be confirmed. It is also important to document the system serial number, model, and pre-deployment condition as part of the installation checklist. Hardware readiness is the first step in a successful bare metal setup.
Installation media must be prepared and booted correctly. This may include USB flash drives, DVDs, ISO files mounted over remote management interfaces, or PXE boot images delivered over the network. The BIOS or Unified Extensible Firmware Interface must be configured to boot from the selected media. Administrators should verify the media's integrity and confirm that the correct image version is used. Corrupted or mismatched installation files will result in immediate failure.
Drive selection is one of the most important tasks during a bare metal install. Administrators must choose which disks will host the operating system, application data, swap partitions, and log files. SSDs are often used for the operating system and boot partition, while RAID arrays may be configured for data storage. Partition layout must be planned before installation and aligned with the server’s workload. Both GUID Partition Table and Master Boot Record may be supported depending on platform and disk size.
The selected partitions must be formatted with the appropriate file system. Windows environments may require NTFS, while Linux systems commonly use ext4 or XFS. The choice of file system affects performance, recovery options, and feature availability. Formatting creates the logical volume structure and prepares the disks for role-based configuration. This step is irreversible, and administrators must confirm selections before applying changes.
Installation proceeds through guided prompts. These include setting the system language, selecting the primary disk, choosing server roles, and defining administrative credentials. During installation, drivers may need to be manually loaded for RAID controllers or network interface cards. These drivers are often stored on USB media or attached ISO files. If hardware is not detected, the installer will pause, and troubleshooting must begin before continuing.
After the operating system has been installed and the system reboots, administrators must configure essential settings. This includes setting the hostname, assigning a static IP address, configuring DNS servers, and enabling the firewall. The system should be hardened immediately by applying updates, changing default credentials, and reviewing exposed services. Server Plus includes post-installation security tasks as a required procedure.
Server roles and features must be installed after the base system is configured. These include services such as dynamic host configuration protocol, domain name system, file sharing, and domain controller roles. Tools like Server Manager, PowerShell, or Linux package managers are used to install and configure features. Administrators must align role selection with business needs, licensing, and expected workloads.
Once installation is complete, hardware functionality must be verified. Administrators should check system logs, sensor data, and command-line outputs to confirm that fans, temperature sensors, NICs, storage devices, and power supplies are operating within normal ranges. Any anomalies should be investigated immediately. All results should be recorded in deployment documentation for future reference and support history.
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After basic configuration, the system must be tested for operational readiness. This includes verifying that the server responds to ping requests, resolves domain name system queries, and accepts remote login sessions. Load tests or stress simulations may also be performed to ensure the system remains stable under expected workloads. These tests confirm that the server is functioning correctly before it enters production. Server Plus includes network and stability verification as a core step in deployment.
Monitoring and alerting should be established immediately after the system is online. Administrators must enable logging, configure monitoring agents, and define alert thresholds for critical components such as disks, processors, memory, and services. Without monitoring, failures may go undetected until they cause outages. Proactive alerting systems allow administrators to respond quickly and reduce downtime. This ensures ongoing visibility and improves service-level compliance.
A post-installation checklist should be completed before turning over the server to operations. This includes confirming that default credentials are changed, time synchronization is configured, backup systems are connected, and all unnecessary ports or services are disabled. Server Plus emphasizes the importance of validating these actions as part of the deployment workflow. Skipping this step increases security risk and operational unpredictability.
Licensing and registration must also be completed. Some operating systems require product activation or serial number entry. Licensing may be based on processor core count, user access, or enabled features. Failure to license the system properly can result in limited functionality, expired access, or compliance violations. Registration also enables the system to receive future updates and vendor support. These tasks are mandatory in production environments.
Baseline configuration data should be captured before the server is placed into service. This includes exporting system logs, recording the current list of installed packages, saving configuration files, and documenting IP address assignments. These baselines are useful during audits, troubleshooting, or when replicating the configuration on future systems. A good baseline record provides a known-good starting point for future change tracking and rollback plans.
If the installation fails at any point, administrators must be prepared to diagnose and recover. Common causes include defective hardware, bad installation media, missing drivers, or BIOS misconfiguration. Logs and vendor diagnostic tools are essential for pinpointing the failure. If necessary, the installation should be restarted using known-good components or validated settings. Preparedness for failure recovery is part of effective deployment planning.
Labeling and documentation complete the installation process. Each physical server should be labeled with its hostname, IP address, and assigned function. Configuration files, network maps, and administrative notes must be saved in a central repository. This supports team collaboration, auditing, and future troubleshooting. Server Plus includes traceability and documentation as essential elements of enterprise deployments.
Backup procedures should be established as soon as the server is live. This includes defining what data should be protected, setting a backup schedule, and selecting storage destinations. Backup software must be installed and configured, and administrators should perform a test backup to confirm system readiness. Bare metal servers must be included in centralized backup routines to prevent data loss from failure or misconfiguration.
Bare metal installations give administrators full control over hardware, configuration, and performance. They are the preferred deployment method when efficiency, security, and customization are required. By following a structured deployment plan that includes hardware verification, partition planning, installation, post-setup configuration, and backup readiness, administrators ensure a successful and supportable server deployment. In the next episode, we will transition into the world of virtualized environments by examining guest operating system installation and optimization techniques within a hypervisor.