Automating Server Installation and Upgrade

Using Syspart on Computers with Dissimilar Hardware

Syspart runs through an optional parameter of Winnt32.exe. If the master computer and the computers on which you are installing Windows 2000 Server do not have similar hardware, you can use the Syspart method. This method also reduces deployment time by eliminating the file copy phase of Setup.

Syspart requires that you use two physical disks, with a primary partition on the target hard disk.

If you require a similar installation and operating system configuration on hardware types in which the HALs or mass storage device controllers differ, you can use Syspart to create a master set of files with the necessary configuration information and driver support that can then be imaged. Those images can then be used on the dissimilar systems to properly detect the hardware and consistently configure the base operating system. If your environment includes multiple types of hardware-dependent systems, you can use Syspart to create a master for each type. You install Windows 2000 on one computer of each type, and then you use Sysprep to help create images to be used on the remaining computers of each type. For more information about Sysprep, see "Using Sysprep to Duplicate Disks" later in this chapter.

Before you begin, choose a computer to use as a reference computer. The reference computer must have either Windows NT or Windows 2000 installed.

To install Windows 2000 Server by using Syspart

Start the reference computer and connect to the distribution folder.
Run Setup.
Click Start, click Run, and then type:

winnt32 /unattend:unattend.txt /s:install_source /syspart:second_drive /tempdrive:second_drive/ noreboot

Important

You must use the /tempdrive parameter for a successful Syspart installation. When you use the /tempdrive command-line switch, make sure you have sufficient free disk space on your second partition to install both Windows 2000 Server and your applications. The geometry of the disk you plan to use as a target for Syspart must be the same as the geometry of the disk on the computer to which you plan to duplicate.

Note that the /syspart and /tempdrive parameters must point to the same partition of a secondary hard disk. The Windows 2000 Server installation must take place on the primary partition of the secondary hard disk.

Caution

Syspart will automatically mark the drive as active and as the default boot device. For this reason, remove the drive before turning the computer on again.

Related definitions include:

Unattend.txt. The answer file used for an unattended setup. It provides answers to some or all the prompts the end user normally responds to during Setup. Using an answer file is optional when creating the master image.

install_source. The location of the Windows 2000 Server files. Specify multiple /s command-line switches if you want to install from multiple sources simultaneously.

second_drive. An optional second drive on which you preinstall Windows 2000 and applications.