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Installing Windows XP Professional by Using Remote Installation Services (RIS)Objective: Perform and troubleshoot an unattended installation of Windows XP Professional.
First introduced with Windows 2000, RIS provides a means of performing on-demand, image-based installation of operating systems across a network connection from a server running RIS to the computer on which the operating system is to be installed. You can install RIS on a server running either Windows 2000 Server or Windows Server 2003, and use it to install Windows 2000 Professional or Windows XP Professional on remote computers. If you install RIS on a computer running Windows Server 2003, you can also install a server-based operating system on the remote computers. Note Windows Server 2003 RIS can install both servers and client computers Unlike RIS in Windows 2000, which allowed you to install only client operating systems, Windows Server 2003 can install Windows 2000 Server or Windows Server 2003 on new computers. About RISRIS provides several advantages to the administrator who needs to install Windows XP on a large number of computers, including the following:
You can create installation images of Windows XP or Windows Server 2003 that include complete computer configurations, including such items as applications and desktop settings, and use RIS to push these images out to client computers on the network. The capabilities of RIS include the following:
You can use RIS Remote Installation Preparation Wizard (RIPrep) image that includes the operating system with specific settings and applications. RIS includes a Client Installation Wizard, which is downloaded from the server at the beginning of the installation process and minimizes the extent of interaction required at the client end. Its use enables individuals with little or no computer training to begin installations of Windows XP Professional. The use of this wizard is discussed later in this section. Requirements to Use RISRIS is included with Windows 2000 Server and Windows Server 2003. To use RIS, you need to install this component on the server. In addition, the following server components must be available on the RIS server or on another server available to the RIS server (see Figure 2.7):
Figure 2.7. RIS requires that you have DHCP, DNS, and Active Directory available on the network.remote boot floppy disk at the RIS server that enables the user to start the installation process. Such a disk is analogous to a boot ROM; it simulates the PXE startup process, providing a connection to the RIS server so that the client can download the Client Installation Wizard. For this procedure to work, the NIC in the client computer must be included on the list supported by the RBFG. Installing RIS on the ServerAlthough RIS is included with Windows 2000 Server and Windows Server 2003, you must install it from Add or Remove Programs in Control Panel. Follow Step by Step 2.4 to install RIS on a computer running Windows Server 2003. Steps on a Windows 2000 Server computer are similar.
Exam Alert You need to authorize the RIS server in Active Directory The authorization feature provided with RIS is designed to prevent unauthorized RIS servers from being added to the network. If the RIS server has not been authorized, client computers receive a PXE boot server not found error message when attempting to access the RIS server. Creating a Remote Boot Floppy DiskRIS includes a program called the Remote Boot Disk Generator to create a floppy disk for use with client computers that do not contain a PXE-enabled NIC. Step by Step 2.5 shows you how.
Folders Created on the RIS ServerRbfg.exe (the remote boot floppy disk program described earlier), Riprep.exe (which prepares an image of a Windows XP computer, described in the next section), and Setupcl.exe (used by Riprep.exe in the imaging process). |
Setup Contains a subfolder hierarchy with the installation files. As you create additional images, each is stored in its own subfolder within this hierarchy.
Creating the image for RIS involves two steps: preparing the client computer and creating the actual image. You use the Riprep.exe program found on the RIS server to accomplish these objectives. This program removes computer-specific information such as the computer name and SID from the source computer, and then copies the image to the Images subfolder on the Reminst share. Follow the procedure outlined in Step by Step 2.6 to create a RIS image.
Step by Step: 2.6 Preparing a RIS Image
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RIS prepares the image and copies it to the appropriate subfolder on the server. After you have completed this process, a user at any remote client computer can use the Client Installation Wizard to select an image for installing Windows XP Professional.
Exam Alert
Copy the Administrator profile before imaging When you prepare a computer for imaging by means of RIS, you should copy the local Administrator profile to the Default User profile if you have installed applications with desktop shortcuts. In that way, users receive the shortcuts when they log on.
RIS creates a Step by Step 2.2, select Remote Installation Services on the Product to Install page (refer to Figure 2.2). This creates a file named Remboot.sif, which can be used to provide information to the installation process. This filename is confirmed to you at step 25 of Step by Step 2.2.
Exam Alert
Remember the names of the various answer files You can modify the Ristndrd.sif answer file or create the Remboot.sif answer file for use with RIS. Also remember that Winnt.sif is used when installing Windows XP from a CD-ROM and a floppy-based answer file, and Sysprep.inf is used to provide answers when using Sysprep to install Windows XP.
After you have prepared the appropriate images on the RIS server, remote users can access this server and use the Client Installation Wizard, which is a text-based wizard that walks them through the process of installing Windows XP Professional. This wizard uses Plug and Play to detect hardware differences between the reference computer and the computer on which it is installing Windows XP. Step by Step 2.7 outlines the procedure that you should follow.
Step by Step: 2.7 Using RIS to Install Windows XP Professional
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Having completed the Client Installation Wizard, Windows XP Professional Setup proceeds to install the operating system together with configured service packs, hotfixes, and applications without further intervention.
Exam Alert
A PXE-enabled client must be able to boot from the NIC If the client computer displays an Operating System Not Found error message, make sure that the BIOS is configured to boot from the NIC.
ChallengeYou are a consultant who is on the short bidding list for a contract that involves rolling out 500 new Windows XP Professional computers to a company opening a new office in Phoenix. The company has provided you with a computer running a basic installation of Windows Server 2003 and another computer with a basic installation of Windows XP Professional. The CIO wants to evaluate your ability to roll out Windows XP Professional using RIS and has asked you to prepare an automated installation on the first of the 500 new computers. You are responsible for completing all the steps necessary to perform this task and prove to the CIO that you are the right person to handle the rollout. You need three computers for this exercise, one running Windows Server 2003 (or Windows 2000 Server), one running Windows XP Professional, and one with no operating system installed. These computers should not have any data of value stored on them. You should try to work through the required steps on your own. Those of you who are unfamiliar with the procedures required that involve configuring the server may want to consult one of the training guides available for the Microsoft 70-290 and 70-294 exams. If you need further guidance, follow the steps presented here:
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You have looked at the Setup Manager and the use of RIS for unattended installation of Windows XP Professional. You should be aware of the following major points:
You can use Setup Manager to create answer files that supply answers to questions asked by the Windows XP Professional setup program.
As well as the answer file, Setup Manager creates a uniqueness database file that contains information specific to each computer being installed and a batch file that simplifies installation on target computers.
The answer file is a text file that you can prepare or edit, using a text editor such as Notepad. Microsoft recommends that you use the Setup Manager to create this file so that you avoid syntax errors.
RIS enables users to connect to a remote installation server and download an image of Windows XP Professional, complete with service packs and applications.
You must have DHCP, DNS, and Active Directory operating on the network to use RIS.