Automated operating system installation

An apparatus for use in an automated operating system installation system, the apparatus comprising:

• a universal serial bus (USB) hub connected to a system under test (SUT) and a plurality of multiplexers, each of the plurality of multiplexers configured for connection to a plurality of mass storage devices;
• and
• a USB-to-serial device connected to a test control system (TCS) and the plurality of multiplexers, wherein the TCS is configured for coordinating automatic installation of a plurality of operating systems on the SUT, the USB-to-serial device configured to:
• receive a first control signal from the TCS and configure the plurality of multiplexers based upon the first control signal to establish a connection between a first of the plurality of mass storage devices and the USB hub, thereby enabling a connection between the first of the plurality of mass storage devices and the SUT, the first of the plurality of mass storage devices containing an installer program for a first operating system;
• and
• in response to a determination by the TCS that the installer program for the first operating system has completed installation of the first operating system on the SUT, the determination being based on information received from the SUT, receive a second control signal from the TCS and configure the plurality of multiplexers based upon the second control signal to establish a connection between a second of the plurality of mass storage devices and the USB hub, thereby enabling a connection between the second of the plurality of mass storage devices and the SUT, the second of the plurality of mass storage devices containing a disk drive utility program.