Remote OS Installation

Using CD-based Images

A CD-based image is a copy of the contents of the Windows 2000 Professional operating system CD on the RIS server. Creating CD-based images is similar to creating a distribution share on a server that can be used to install the operating system over the network.

The benefits of using CD-based images are as follows:

Easy to use.
Enables standard, automated installation over a network.
Can be customized by using answer files.
Multiple answer files can be associated with a single CD-based image.
Can be used for installation of all Windows 2000–compatible systems, regardless of hardware configurations.

The limitations of using RISetup are as follows:

Images cannot contain preinstalled standard desktop applications.
Takes longer to install on equivalent hardware than RIPrep images.

Creating New CD-Based Images

An initial CD-based image for Windows 2000 is created during the installation of RIS on a RIS server.

To add a new CD-based image to a RIS server

You must be on the RIS server, where you want to add the CD-based image. In Active Directory Users and Computers, locate your RIS server by selecting the appropriate container, like the Domain Controller container.
In the right pane, right-click your RIS server, click properties, and then click the Remote Install tab.
Click the Advanced Settings button.
Click the Images tab, and then click Add.
Click Add new installation image. This option copies a Windows 2000 Professional CD-based image. Click Next.
In the Remote Installation Services Setup Wizard, click Next, then enter the installation source files location and proceed through the Wizard.

Or you can run the risetup -add command.

Figure 24.3 shows the directory structure where CD-based images are stored. You can define the name of the root folder (imagename) where the CD-based images are stored.

Enlarge figure

Figure 24.3 CD-based Image Directory Structure

Note

CD-based images support additional directories. For example, you can add an \i386\$OEM$ directory so that you can locate additional device driver files if you add additional hardware to a RIS client. For more information about creating an $OEM$ subfolder, see "Automating Client Installation and Upgrade" in the Deployment Planning Guide.

For more information about creating a CD-based image, see Windows 2000 Server Help.

The Templates folder under each image contains the answer files for that image. By default, RIS creates a standard unattended answer file called Ristndrd.sif for each CD-based image, but multiple answer files can be associated with a single CD-based image. The default answer file can also be customized. For more information about working with answer files for CD-based images, see "Working with Answer Files" later in this chapter.

Note

The \i386\lang directory is not copied to the RIS server as part of a CD-based image. This directory is needed by any client system that attempts to add the ability to read or write files in a language that is different than the default language that is installed. To allow client systems to be able to install language packs, copy \i386\lang and all subdirectories from the Windows 2000 Professional operating system CD to \\RISServername\Reminst\setup\clientlanguage\images\imagename\i386\lang

Modifying Properties of a CD-based Image

You can associate one or more answer files (.sif) to an existing CD-based image on the RIS server. This allows you to offer a variety of unattended Windows 2000 installation types from the same source image on the RIS server. You can also modify the settings within the answer file by using the setupmgr.exe tool. For example, you can change regional settings, video resolution, and network settings with answer files. For more information about modifying answer files, see "Working with Answer Files" later in this chapter.

Important

If you purchased Windows 2000 from an authorized reseller, you must automate the process of entering the CD key. See "Specifying a CD Key in the Answer File" later in this chapter.