Global computer provisioning

摘要

A networked computer device can be provisioned by customizing the computer device to contain a specification of a particular provisioning server. For example, a network interface device can be pre-configured and installed in the computer device. The pre-configuration of the network interface device may include embedding a provisioning service identification in the network interface device. The network interface device may be further configured to perform provisioning from a provisioning service indicated by the embedded provisioning service identification. In addition, or alternatively, the network interface device, or the computer within which it is installed, may be configured to authenticate with a provisioning server based on authentication information that has been embedded within firmware of the computer or network interface device.

主权项

1. A method of provisioning a computer, comprising:
embedding a provisioning service identification in a network interface device, the provisioning service identification identifying a remotely located first provisioning server maintaining software to provision the computer; configuring the network interface device to receive a network configuration from a configuration server upon startup, the network configuration including an identification of a second provisioning server that is different from the remotely located first provisioning server; further configuring the network interface device to alter the network configuration in response to receiving the network configuration from the configuration server by substituting the embedded provisioning service identification in place of the identification of the second provisioning server; further configuring the network interface device to initiate provisioning from the remotely located first provisioning server that is identified by the embedded provisioning service identification included in the altered network configuration; and installing the network interface device in the computer prior to startup of the computer.