The server installation method that would optimize server resources is core. Core is a minimal installation option that is available for some operating systems, such as Windows Server and Linux. Core installs only the essential components and features of the operating system, without any graphical user interface (GUI) or other unnecessary services or applications. Core reduces the disk footprint, memory usage, CPU consumption, and attack surface of the server, making it more efficient and secure. Core can be managed remotely using command-line tools, PowerShell, or GUI tools.
Reference:
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/administration/performance-tuning/hardware/

Blanking panels are metal or plastic plates that are installed in the empty spaces of a rack to prevent hot air from recirculating back to the front of the rack. This can improve the airflow and cooling efficiency of the rack and reduce the heat generated by the servers. Verified References: [Blanking panel], [Rack cooling]

GPT (GUID Partition Table) is a partitioning scheme that allows creating partitions on large hard drives (more than 2 TB). It supports up to 128 partitions per drive and uses 64-bit addresses to locate them.
However, GPT is not compatible with older versions of Windows, such as Windows XP or Windows Server
2003, which use MBR (Master Boot Record) as the partitioning scheme. If a disk uses GPT, it may not be recognized or accessible by an older Windows server. Verified References: [GPT], [MBR]

To comply with the user requirements, the best options are to install the OS on a RAID 1 array, configure RAID 5 for the application data, and use SSD hard drives for the data application array. Here is why:
RAID 1 is a mirroring technique that creates an exact copy of data on two disks. This provides redundancy and fault tolerance in case of hard drive failure. RAID 1 also improves read performance since either disk can be read at the same time. Therefore, installing the OS on a RAID 1 array meets the first requirement of separating the OS from the application data and protecting it from hard drive failure.
RAID 5 is a striping technique with parity that distributes data and parity blocks across three or more disks. This provides improved performance and storage efficiency compared to RAID 1, as well as fault tolerance in case of a single disk failure. Therefore, configuring RAID 5 for the application data meets the second and third requirements of providing high IOPS performance and data availability.
SSD hard drives are solid-state drives that use flash memory to store data. They have no moving parts and offer faster read and write speeds, lower latency, and lower power consumption than traditional HDDs. Therefore, using SSD hard drives for the data application array meets the second requirement of providing high IOPS performance.
References:
https://phoenixnap.com/kb/raid-levels-and-types
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Standard_RAID_levels

* Network Installation: Allows the OS image to be deployed from a central server, streamlining deployment across multiple systems simultaneously. This is significantly faster than individual installations from other media. (CompTIA Server+ Objectives SK0-004: 3.1)
* Why other options are less optimal:
* Embedded: Refers to OSes pre-installed on hardware and not intended for mass deployment.
* Optical (CDs/DVDs): Requires physical media insertion on each server, slower than network distribution.
* USB Similar to optical, requires individual installations and can be time-consuming for multiple servers.