Autonomous server installation

Abstract

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a system for preparing servers for service over a network, where the servers include out of band management cards. The system may include a processor, a database of server configuration information, and a memory that stores executable instructions that, when executed by the processor, facilitate performance of operations. The operations can include establishing a secure hypertext transport protocol session over the network with the out of band management card for the server to mount and execute a preinstall image that performs an installation, without any specific network configuration, and where the installation is performed without deploying an agent. Other embodiments are disclosed.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device, comprising: a processing system including a processor; and a memory that stores executable instructions that, when executed by the device, facilitate performance of operations, the operations comprising:
 identifying a configuration for a server from a plurality of server configurations stored in a database;   selecting a test for the server based on the configuration;   building a custom preinstall image from the configuration;   sending a first secure hypertext transport protocol (HTTPS) preinstall instruction over a network to an out of band management processor to mount and execute the custom preinstall image, wherein the custom preinstall image causes the server to perform a first installation and the test, wherein a first instruction is sent via a first communication session without the server being part of any specific network configuration, and wherein the first installation is performed without deploying a software agent on the server;   receiving a first indication and first test results from the server, wherein the first indication indicates that the first installation has completed;   determining from the first test results that a portion of the first installation has failed resulting in a determination;   identifying a remedial measure based on the determination;   sending a second secure hypertext transport protocol (HTTPS) preinstall instruction over the network to the out of band management processor to mount and execute the custom preinstall image and the remedial measure, wherein the custom preinstall image and the remedial measure causes the server to perform a second installation and the test, wherein a second instruction is sent via a second communication session without the server being part of any specific network configuration, and wherein the second installation is performed without deploying the software agent on the server;   receiving a second indication and second test results from the server, wherein the second indication indicates that the second installation has completed;   analyzing the second test results to ensure that the server has passed the test resulting in an analysis; and   placing the server into operational service based on the analysis.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the selecting the test comprises selecting a first group of tests according to the configuration. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the selecting the test further comprises prioritizing the group of tests according to a history of undesired conditions determined for other servers that utilized the configuration. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein at least some of the group of tests are performed by the server according to the prioritizing and according to a time period in which testing is to be completed. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the selecting of the test comprises performing a selection according to heuristic troubleshooting rules. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein the test is selected based on mean time to failure for components of the server. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the test comprises a second group of tests that are stress tests for the components of the server. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the test is selected based on mean time to recovery for the components of the server. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the test is selected based on a linear regression analysis for the components of the server. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the test is a third group of tests that are periodically scheduled performance tests for the components of the server. 
     
     
         11 . A non-transitory, machine-readable storage medium, comprising executable instructions that, when executed by a processing system including a processor, facilitate performance of operations, comprising:
 identifying a configuration for a server from a plurality of server configurations stored in a database;   prioritizing a first group of tests according to a history of undesired conditions determined for other servers that utilized the configuration.   selecting a portion of the first group of tests for the server based on the configuration;   building a custom preinstall image from the configuration;   sending a first secure hypertext transport protocol (HTTPS) preinstall instruction over a network to an out of band management processor to mount and execute the custom preinstall image, wherein the custom preinstall image causes the server to perform a first installation and the portion of the first group of tests, wherein a first instruction is sent via a first communication session without the server being part of any specific network configuration, and wherein the first installation is performed without deploying a software agent on the server;   receiving a first indication and first test results from the server, wherein the first indication indicates that the first installation has completed;   determining from the first test results that a portion of the first installation has failed resulting in a determination;   identifying a remedial measure based on the determination;   sending a second secure hypertext transport protocol (HTTPS) preinstall instruction over the network to the out of band management processor to mount and execute the custom preinstall image and the remedial measure, wherein the custom preinstall image and the remedial measure causes the server to perform a second installation and the portion of the first group of tests, wherein a second instruction is sent via a second communication session without the server being part of any specific network configuration, and wherein the second installation is performed without deploying the software agent on the server;   receiving a second indication and second test results from the server, wherein the second indication indicates that the second installation has completed;   analyzing the second test results to ensure that the server has passed the portion of the first group of tests resulting in an analysis; and   placing the server into operational service based on the analysis.   
     
     
         12 . The non-transitory, machine-readable storage medium of  claim 11 , wherein at least some of the portion of the first group of tests are performed by the server according to the prioritizing and according to a time period in which testing is to be completed. 
     
     
         13 . The non-transitory, machine-readable storage medium of  claim 11 , wherein the selecting of the portion of the first group of tests comprises performing a selection according to heuristic troubleshooting rules. 
     
     
         14 . The non-transitory, machine-readable storage medium of  claim 11 , wherein the portion of the first group of tests is selected based on mean time to failure for components of the server. 
     
     
         15 . The non-transitory, machine-readable storage medium of  claim 14 , wherein the portion of the first group of tests comprises a second group of tests that are stress tests for the components of the server. 
     
     
         16 . The non-transitory, machine-readable storage medium of  claim 14 , wherein the portion of the first group of tests is selected based on mean time to recovery for the components of the server. 
     
     
         17 . The non-transitory, machine-readable storage medium of  claim 14 , wherein the portion of the first group of tests is selected based on a linear regression analysis for the components of the server. 
     
     
         18 . The non-transitory, machine-readable storage medium of  claim 14 , wherein the portion of the first group of tests is a third group of tests that are periodically scheduled performance tests for the components of the server. 
     
     
         19 . A method, comprising:
 identifying, by a processing system including a processor, a configuration for a server from a plurality of server configurations stored in a database;   prioritizing, by the processing system, a first group of tests according to a history of undesired conditions determined for other servers that utilized the configuration.   selecting, by the processing system, a portion of the first group of tests for the server based on the configuration and a mean time to failure of components for the server;   building, by the processing system, a custom preinstall image from the configuration;   sending, by the processing system, a first secure hypertext transport protocol (HTTPS) preinstall instruction over a network to an out of band management processor to mount and execute the custom preinstall image, wherein the custom preinstall image causes the server to perform a first installation and the portion of the first group of tests, wherein a first instruction is sent via a first communication session without the server being part of any specific network configuration, and wherein the first installation is performed without deploying a software agent on the server;   receiving, by the processing system, a first indication and first test results from the server, wherein the first indication indicates that the first installation has completed;   determining, by the processing system, from the first test results that a portion of the first installation has failed resulting in a determination;   identifying, by the processing system, a remedial measure based on the determination;   sending, by the processing system, a second secure hypertext transport protocol (HTTPS) preinstall instruction over the network to the out of band management processor to mount and execute the custom preinstall image and the remedial measure, wherein the custom preinstall image and the remedial measure causes the server to perform a second installation and the portion of the first group of tests, wherein a second instruction is sent via a second communication session without the server being part of any specific network configuration, and wherein the second installation is performed without deploying the software agent on the server;   receiving, by the processing system, a second indication and second test results from the server, wherein the second indication indicates that the second installation has completed;   analyzing, by the processing system, the second test results to ensure that the server has passed the portion of the first group of tests resulting in an analysis; and   placing, by the processing system, the server into operational service based on the analysis.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the portion of the first group of tests comprises a second group of tests that are stress tests for the components of the server.