---
title: "Installing an operating system on an HPE DL380"
language: en
topics: ["Amsterdam", "MacBook", "ThinkPad", "cloud", "data", "howto", "linux", "networking", "office", "server", "work"]
full_article_url: https://willem.com/en/2019-11-22_building-a-professional-72tb-nas/
---
# Installing an operating system on an HPE DL380

*Network boot plus iLO replace the missing CD drive.*

> The DL380 has no CD or DVD drive, so I serve the installation files over a local network from a laptop running a webserver, set the server to boot from it, and control everything through HPE's iLO.

Servers commonly run a hypervisor operating system that divides the machine into virtual servers, and installing it works differently from an office computer because there is no drive for physical media.
I serve the installation files over a local network: a ThinkPad X1 laptop runs a webserver, and the DL380 is configured to use that laptop as its boot option. A second computer connects to HPE's iLO, the integrated lights out chip, a computer inside the computer. Through iLO it acts as remote monitor and keyboard, so I control the installation from my desk instead of standing next to the noisy server, and I can inspect every physical component of the machine remotely.
Before bringing the server to the datacenter I preconfigure the network settings to match the rack, which makes the final installation plug and play.