Unattended network install possible?

[gwichman]

Whats the cheapest/easiest way to do an unattended install of win2k across a network? I.e. win2k CD is mounted on a domain controller someplace, now i'd like to boot a server via bootp or whatever and have it do an unattended install of win2k across the network.

reason being i have these servers where each chassis has 8 blades.. each blade is a server but they all share only 1 cdrom drive. It's real time consuming installing an OS with only 1 cdrom so i'd like to explore options installing it across the network somehow without cdrom access (or minimal cdrom access).

 

[GrnEyedLdy]

1. Create a Distribution Server

·Simple put, a Distribution Server is a server containing a Distribution folder. (Distribution folders can be created on multiple servers).
·Each set of Distribution folders contains the Windows 2000 installation files needed for installation.
·Distribution folders can also contain device drivers and other files needed for installation.


On a Win2K Server, create a folder called DIST and share it with the same name.

Copy the contents of the i386 into the DIST folder...(don't copy the 'folder' into the folder, as this will not work)...open the i386, do an Edit|Select All, then copy and paste into DIST.


Supplemental Folders

·Dist folder – used to hold the I386 files
·$oem$ folder – used to hold supplemental files to be copied to the target computer during setup. (i.e., applications, drivers, and utilities).
·The $oem$ folder must be placed directly below the Dist folder (the one that contains the I386 files).
·$$ folder - translates to %systemroot% (C:\Winnt by default). Files that are placed in this subfolder on the distribution server will be installed to the system root on the target PC.
·$1 folder – translates to %systemdrive% (C:\ by default). Files that are placed in this subfolder on the distribution server will be installed to the drive where you are installing Win2k.
·PnPDrvrs folder – plug and play drivers located in this folder can be used to install supplemental drivers that you may need for your particular system.
·D – (or other existing drive letter) files that are placed in this subfolder on the distribution server will be installed to the corresponding drive letter specification on the target computer.

DIST
$oem$
$$
$1
PnPDrvs
D
Your folder structure must match the above.


2. Boot to the Network with a Network Boot Disk
After getting to the Network, type Net use x: \\Servernam\DIST. After this command completes, change the drive letter to X: and you will be mapped to the DIST folder.

3. Initiate the installation and specify the name of your Answer file to automate the setup process.

Answer Files

·An Answer file is used to automate the installation of Windows 2000.
·The Answer file provides the answers to the Windows 2000 setup questions.
·The Answer file format consists of section headers, keys, and values for keys.
·Every key must have a value, although some keys are optional.
·The Answer file also contains multiple optional sections that you can modify to fit your installation needs.
·By defining the user interaction level, you can control how much, if any, input will be required during the installation process.
·User Interaction levels
·Provide defaults – user accepts default answers provided, or makes changes where necessary.
·Fully automated – user just sits back and watches, or goes out for a cup of coffee.
·Hide pages – the user will only get a chance to interact with setup where you did not supply information.
·Read only – the install will show all pages, but will not allow the user to change the defaults that were provided in the Answer File.
·GUI attended – only the GUI mode section of setup is attended. The text portion is fully automated.
·To launch an unattended installation, use the /unattend switch with the Winnt32.exe command or the /u switch with the Winnt.exe command.

Creating Answer Files

·You can create your own Answer File from scratch by using a text editor such as notepad. (You must follow the format)
·You can edit an existing Answer Files to suit your needs.
· You can use Setup Manger:
·Setup Manager can be found in the Windows 2000 Resource Kit Deployment Tools.
·Setup Manager is the easiest way to create an Answer File.
·Setup Manger allows you to:
·Build a new Answer File
·Build an Answer File based on your current computer’s configuration.
·Modify an existing Answer File.
·A Wizard walks you through all of the questions you will need to answer during setup and builds the Answer File for you

http://www.syngress.com/book_catalog/92_w2dep/Chap01.htm

Hope this helps,

Patty

 

[gwichman]

Is it possible to do this via BOOTP and without a boot disk somehow?

 

[GrnEyedLdy]

It's easy to make a Network boot disk. Check out Bart's Network Boot Disk. I use this all the time to do unattended classroom installations.

Http://www.nu2.nu/bootdisk/network/

Patty

 

[Chutta]

What if you don't have a floppy drive?

 

[GrnEyedLdy]

Chutta,

How about a PXE compliant NIC?

Patty

 

[Chutta]

yes I have one of those

 

[AndyAsselin]

how about just seting up win2k server and you ris to setup client via network ? am not sure if this what looking for or not