What is the purpose of a bootable USB drive in server setup?

A bootable USB drive is primarily used to facilitate the installation of an operating system on a server. When setting up a server, it is essential to have a method to load the operating system onto the hardware, and a bootable USB drive serves this function effectively. It contains the necessary installation files that the server can access during the boot process, allowing for a streamlined and efficient installation procedure.

This method is often preferred due to its portability and ease of use, especially when compared to traditional installation methods that might require physical media like CDs or DVDs, which are becoming less common in modern server setups. A bootable USB drive can also be more robust and handle larger files, which is beneficial when dealing with more complex operating systems.

The other purposes mentioned, like improving network speed, providing storage for applications, or backing up server data, do not align with the primary function of a bootable USB drive during the server setup process. The focus of a bootable USB drive is specifically on facilitating the initial operating system installation.