Lenovo ThinkVantage ImageUltra Builder Version 5.0 - Manual (Page 16)

Definition of a Smart Image
The ImageUltra Builder program enables you to store a variety of image-related
files as reusable modules in a repository. Typically, there is a module for each
operating system, application, and device driver. These modules are organized by
maps to meet the needs of specific users, groups, or an entire enterprise. A single
base map can contain multiple operating systems and applications, as well as
variations based on language. A single driver map can contain device drivers for a
single hardware platform, or through the use of filters, device drivers for a variety
of hardware platforms.
Delivering the maps and modules to a target computer involves two steps:
deployment and installation. At the beginning of the deployment process, the
installer selects which base map and driver map to use. The selected maps and the
modules defined within the maps are copied to a staging area. The compilation of
maps and the modules defined within the maps is called a Smart Image.
A Smart Image has the following characteristics:
v It is the source from which a specific image is installed on the target computer.
v It provides a menu system during the installation phase. The person controlling
the installation process makes selections from the menu system to define the
content of the image to be installed. The menu entries are defined in a base map.
v A single Smart Image can contain multiple images or components that make up
a variety of images.
v If desired, a Smart Image can reside on a target computer after installation and
be used for console-side recovery without any dependencies on an active
network connection.
v Smart Images can be developed to provide varying degrees of portability across
different hardware platforms. Portability is the degree in which you can use a
single image for different types of computers.
Staging areas
A staging area is a workspace used during deployment and installation. It is where
certain modules defined by a map are unpacked, where ImageUltra Builder
installation files are stored, and where installation logs are created. The ImageUltra
Builder program can use two types of staging areas:
v Service partition: The service partition is a hidden primary partition that is
protected against normal, end-user read and write operations. This partition is a
standard Lenovo
® factory-installed feature on many Lenovo ThinkPad,
NetVista ® , and ThinkCentre computers. As shipped from the factory, the service
partition provides built-in recovery and diagnostic capabilities. When a
pre-existing service partition is used in conjunction with the ImageUltra Builder
program, the deployment phase deletes the factory-installed recovery modules
and replaces them with appropriate modules and maps for the image being
deployed. If a service partition does not already exist, the ImageUltra Builder
program creates one, if needed, as part of the deployment process. After the
deployment is complete, the person controlling the installation process (end user
or IT professional) can initiate the installation process from the service partition
immediately after deployment or at any point in the future without any
dependencies on a network connection.
v Network-staging folder: This temporary staging area is for a direct-network
installation only. A direct-network installation combines the deployment phase
and installation phase into a single operation, which in almost all cases results in
2 ImageUltra Builder Version 5.0: User Guide