What Is Bare-Metal Provisioning and How Does It Work?

[johny899]

Have you witnessed a server be set up and thought 'How did they get that functional so quickly?' This is exactly what bare-metal provisioning delivers: It turns an unused, empty computer into a functional computer.

So What Does The Term Bare-Metal Provisioning Refer To?​

You may be familiar with the concept of provisioning if you've ever set up a new phone or laptop. When you buy a new phone or laptop, you must first install the operating system (OS), log in to the wi-fi, and get it ready. A data center is no different — only the hardware is bigger, more powerful computer systems, also known as bare-metal servers.

Bare-metal servers are not virtualized, meaning there are no virtual machines or virtualization software layers. In this case, provisioning is the act of installing the (OS), network configurations, and security settings directly on the hardware.

To summarize, provisioning indicates the process of getting a physical computer configured and ready to run applications or workloads — quickly and automatically.

How Bare-Metal Provisioning Is Achieved​

The process is typically as follows:

1. Hardware Check: The system identifies the CPU, memory, and storage.

2. Boot Process: It begins using a network boot process called PXE (Preboot Execution Environment).

3. OS Installation: It will automatically install the OS without any manual steps.

4. Configuration: It will add security, drivers, and other tools as required.

5. Testing: It will test to ensure everything is working properly.

All of this will happen in minutes, not hours!

Why It Is Valuable​

You might be saying, “Why not use cloud servers?” Great question! Here's why bare-metal provisioning remains relevant:

• More Speed: You're utilizing all the hardware without the virtual layer.

• Complete Control: You can change all settings to your liking.

• Enhanced Security: You don’t share your server with anyone else.

Automation Simplifies​

All it takes to set up a single server is some clicks. But if you have to set up 100 servers would you want to endure 100 different setups? Definitely not -- it would take forever! That's why we have tools to help us, e.g., Cobbler, Foreman, or Metal³.

They handle everything for you — from installing the operating system (OS) to connecting the computer to the network, through ensuring that everything is consistent. This saves time and reduces errors.

To Conclude​

Bare-metal provisioning simply means configuring a real, physical server to add your applications. Think of it like a car; a chassis is a chassis until you add the motor, tires, and controls.