This task list was used in a server-farm environment (~200 servers) at the State of Alaska.

Provisioning a Server

Pre-Provision

• Create security groups
• Create Admin user
• Build security Policy and generate agent

Physical

• Assemble and rack
• Power
• KVM

Pre-OS Configuration

• Configure CMOS setup parameters (if required)
• Configure disk (RAID) if required

Install Model OS

• PXE boot DOS with networking
• Execute Ghost client to restore disk image

Configure OS

• Boot from restored disk image
• Install CSA agent
• Configure OS

Harden

• Set security groups
• Disable un-needed services

Network

• Connect to network
• Install newest patches from SUS
• Install TSM agent
• Install Ultrabac agent
• Configure and update anti-Virus protection

Purpose

• Install application(s)
• Configure services
• Harden applications/services
• Open host firewall ports needed for applications

Monitoring

• Install CA Unicenter or Big Brother agent
• Configure Monitoring

Quality Assurance

• Test applications
• Test security
• Test monitoring

Production

• Create DNS name(s) if required
• Create firewall hole(s) if required
• Test production