Automating Client Installation and Upgrade
Automating Client Installation and Upgrade |
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In Windows 2000 automated installation, there are several new options available in the answer file for controlling how and what should run. For more information about answer file parameters and syntax, see the "Microsoft Windows 2000 Guide to Unattended Setup" (Unattend.doc) on the Microsoft Windows 2000 operating system CD. The Unattend.doc file is part of the Deploy.cab file in the \Support\Tools folder. In Windows 98 or Windows 2000, use Windows Explorer to extract this document. In Windows 95 and earlier, or in
Flexible networking In Windows 2000, there are flexible network configurations available for each computer, including additional support for protocols, services, and clients. It is now possible to set the binding order, to easily set default information, and to install more than one network adapter in a system. In addition, to make installation and configuration easier, Windows 2000 can automatically install and configure network device drivers. By default, Windows 2000 installs the default networking components to each network adapter installed in a system, unless otherwise specified in the answer file. The default networking components include Client for Microsoft Networks, TCP/IP, File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks, and enabling Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP).
Automatic logon capability You can customize the answer file to allow the computer to automatically log on as the administrator either the first time that the computer starts Windows 2000 after Setup is completed or a specified number of times thereafter. If you need Windows 2000 to automatically log on for a specific number of times to accomplish tasks that are run in the [GuiRunOnce] entries, you need to provide a non-null administrator password (AdminPassword) in the answer file. You can then use AutoAdminLogonCount to specify the number of times that you need the system to automatically log on to complete the desired tasks. If a null password is used, Setup can automatically log on to the system only once without providing credentials through other means for each subsequent reboot. This is done to help reduce security risks. Note that providing administrator account credentials in a text file always introduces security risks if a user gains access to the file.
Automatic command execution The [GuiRunOnce] section of the answer file contains a list of commands that are to be executed consecutively as part of Setup when after GUI mode completes. By using the [GuiRunOnce] section, you can specify lists of applications to install, tools to configure the system, or other tools to run the first time a user logs on to the installed computer.
Simplified time-zone specification In the answer file, you can specify the computer time zone more easily and with less debugging than what was required by Windows NT. By enumerating the possible time zones, there is less opportunity for error because you are no longer required to enter the full
Enhanced regional and language settings In the answer file, you can specify the system and user locales, the keyboard and input method, and the language support to be installed. Setup Manager can help to make this even easier when you use the GUI interface of the wizard to select the settings to install on the system.
Simpler device preinstallation With the introduction of Plug and Play, the OemPnPDriversPath key, and the new distribution share point structure, preinstalling devices is now as easy as adding the new drivers into a folder in the distribution share and specifying the OemPnPDriversPath key.