Definition
Bare-metal provisioning configures applications or an operating system directly to a server’s physical hardware (bare metal) without an intervening layer such as a hypervisor or virtual machine.
Examples of Bare Metal Provisioning
- When you buy a new computer, you need to install an operating system (OS) like Windows or Linux before you start using it. Configuring an OS on a blank computer is a good example of bare-metal provisioning.
- Virtual machines may not be the solution if your business requires a high-performance database system, as they can introduce unnecessary overheads. The best option is to introduce a bare-metal server or rent one from a cloud provider. However, since it’s a clean slate, you must install an operating system, database software, and other necessary applications before using it. This is another example of bare metal provisioning.
Bare Metal Provisioning Advantages and Disadvantages
Bare-metal provisioning offers enhanced performance and efficiency as there isn’t competition for the server’s resources. However, it can also be challenging to manage. Moreover, it is less flexible than virtualized environments, which allow easy creation, deletion, and relocation of virtual machines.