Small Business Server Client Installation Process

ID: Q214443


The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft BackOffice Small Business Server versions 4.0, 4.0a
  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation version 4.0
  • Microsoft Windows versions 95, 98


SUMMARY

This article gives an explanation of what happens in the background when a client disk is created and then run on a computer running Windows 95, Windows 98, or Windows NT Workstation 4.0 .


MORE INFORMATION

Creating the Client Disk

The Setup Computer Wizard is used to create the client disk. During this process, a script that will tell the client computer to get application and configuration information from the server is created. The name of the script is Netparam.ini. The script is based on a Response File. The Response File is a standardized script that Microsoft BackOffice Small Business Server uses to build the setup disk.

Netparam.ini, along with the Setup program, is saved to a disk. This compiled script cannot be saved on the server nor can it be run across the network.

Using the Client Disk

After the client disk is created, the client disk is taken to the client computer and the Setup program runs on the client computer. The Setup program does several things, including checking to see if there is a network adapter installed on the computer. If a network card is detected and TCP/IP is present, the network settings are configured. These settings are the machine name, the workgroup name, the sharing level, and the TCP/IP settings for obtaining an IP address from a DHCP server.

The machine is restarted when the network settings are put into place. The Setup program then installs each specified application. Shortcuts to the user's own shared folder and to the Company Shared Folders directory are created on the client desktop. Internet Explorer is set up to start with the Client Online Guide as the home page.

The client installation process generates the user's logon script and stores it on the SBS server in the Netlogon share. This script can be modified later, if needed.

Additional query words: SBS client setup smallbiz

Keywords : kbenv ntdomain
Version : WINDOWS:95,98; winnt:4.0,4.0a
Platform : WINDOWS winnt
Issue type : kbinfo


Last Reviewed: February 14, 1999
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