Which deployment method will expedite OS installations for deploying 1000 servers quickly?

Using PXE (Preboot Execution Environment) boot to retrieve an image is an efficient and effective method for rapidly deploying operating systems across a large number of servers, such as in the scenario of deploying 1,000 servers. This method leverages network-based booting, allowing servers to boot from an image stored on a remote server over the network.

The advantages of using PXE include the ability to centrally manage the images and easily update them as needed without the necessity to physically access each server. This not only saves time during the deployment process but also ensures consistency across all installations, as each server retrieves the same image from the server. Furthermore, it eliminates the need for physical media, making it easier to scale operations and reducing the potential for human error during the installation process.

The other deployment methods mentioned may be more appropriate in different contexts or for smaller-scale deployments but lack the same level of efficiency for mass server installations. Disk duplicating software and disk replicators often require physical processes that can be time-consuming and labor-intensive. Using USB disk images can also limit the speed of deployment and is less scalable compared to PXE booting, especially when dealing with a large number of servers. Thus, PXE booting is the most expedient choice