Deploying multiple application servers on win2K/2K3

[Gary]

I build many Microsoft based application servers on
Windows 2000/2003 in a development environment using a
number of hardware boxes.

During development I need to build the same application
server many times on different boxes quickly so that we
have environments for different project phases.

I have cloned using sysprep or ghostwalk with a disk image
before. At OS level this works OK (even with different
hardware) and also with a SQL Server installation. However
as application servers are installed, Biztalk, Commerce
Server, Content Management Server etc cloning in this way
becomes more complicated (due to applications storing
server properties in configuration databases or files of
their own).

Could anybody give me any leads on how best to deploy
multiple application servers quickly as described? Surely
I'm not the only one who does this!

Many Thanks

 

[Brett]

Yes get a really big meaty server with lots of memory and disk space
and use some virtual machine technolody like Vmware or Virtual PC
works a treat for me.

Brett