Applying Change and Configuration Management

Defining User Requirements

All users, no matter what their skill level or computing requirements, require an efficient, fast way to install a new operating system and core applications if their system fails or they receive a new computer. In order to reduce the time and costs associated with preconfiguring new systems for users, you need to answer the following questions:

What is the best operating system installation method for these users? In small branch offices or home offices where there are not enough users to warrant the installation of a RIS server, or where users travel and do not have a high-bandwidth connection to a network server, using a CD-ROM or other local method of installing an operating system is probably the best option. For users with high-bandwidth network connections, but whose computers do not have a remote boot–compliant network card or remote-boot ROM, a network-based image copying or manual installation method will be your next best option (for more information, see "Automating Client Installation and Upgrade"in this book). For all other cases, when you want a clean, known configuration of Windows 2000 Professional, use Remote OS Installation.

How much freedom should users have to choose optional operating system components or alternate operating system images? The following sections describe a number of optional settings that you can use to configure Remote OS Installation images. In most cases, you will want to allow less knowledgeable or task-oriented users to make few or no optional choices during operating system installation. Advanced, more knowledgeable users might require additional choices during the Windows 2000 Professional installation.