# The Design and Implementation of a Novel Open Source Massive Deployment System
## 2 Related Works
### Other Related Works  
Some tools and mechanisms have been widely adopted in network-based massive deployment, including Preboot Execution Environment (PXE), Internet Protocol (IP), User Datagram Protocol (UDP), Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP), and Trivial File Transfer Protocol (TFTP) [36]. The PXE environment actually combines the UDP/IP, DHCP, and TFTP protocols. Because the image of the PXE firmware is quite small, it can be implemented on a variety of systems, including embedded systems, single-board computers (SBC), PCs and high-end servers. With the PXE environment enabled, bare-metal computers can be booted from network interface cards and initiate system deployment. UDPcast [37] is an open source file transfer software that can transfer data simultaneously to many destinations in either the multicast or broadcast mechanism on a local area network (LAN). The multicast or broadcast method makes the file transfer in UDPcast more efficient than other methods, such as Network File System (NFS) and File Transfer Protocol (FTP). Therefore, UDPcast can be one of the best tools for network-based massive deployment.  
Scholars or researchers have also dedicated many efforts to develop deployment software. The Silent Unattended Installation Package Manager (SUPM) [38] is a method that enables the automatic software installation and uninstallation processes, and generates silent unattended installation/uninstallation packages. Quiet [39] is a framework for automatic installation and uninstallation over a network that is based on the SUIPM. Normally, SUIPM does not cover the OS installation; instead, the SUIPM focuses on software/application packaging and installation. Therefore, SUIPM is different from the open source massive deployment that is proposed in this work due to the lack of deployment for OS. Although the open source programs that are mentioned here aim to deploy systems, the focus is different. For example, FOG focuses on the system deployment using the server-client mechanism. Redo Backup and Recovery targets a single machine backup and restore, while OpenGnSys is dedicated to the management of massive computers in computer laboratories or classrooms.  
The open source deployment system that is proposed in this paper is distinguished from the other software systems based on the following features: (1) one deployment system works for system backup and recovery, the massive deployment of disks in a computer, and the massive deployment to large-scale computers; (2) open design, with an easiness to change or add functions; (3) support for deployment of a wide variety of OSs, including Linux, MS Windows, MacOS, and FreeBSD; (4) fully automated, meaning that with proper pre-settings human interaction or intervention is not required; (5) a customization option enabling system administrators to assign different settings by boot parameters; and, (6) the provision of a live system that is ready to use (i.e., no installation required).  
The major contribution of this research is that it proposes novel system architecture for system deployment. To accomplish this, a comprehensive program using the open source technique is developed. This architecture, and hence, the associated software can be used for three scenarios: (1) system backup and recovery; (2) massive deployment of disks in a computer; and, (3) massive deployment in large-scale computers. All three scenarios can be processed in one program system: Clonezilla live. Because Clonezilla live is a ready-to-use massive deployment system, no tedious installation or configuration is required before usage. Therefore, significant time can be saved in system deployment. The feasibility of Clonezilla live will be demonstrated in Section 4 by deploying Ubuntu Linux to massive USB flash drives on a single machine and massive machines in a computer classroom.