Different options for unattended Windows (and program) installations?

[AnttiH]

Hi there,

I manage around 30 computers. I suddenly realized that I spend alot of
time manually installing windows and all the software per machine, so I
started to look into automating the task, since most installations are
identical to some point.

I did some googling and spent time on microsoft.com, but still:

Does the RIS have to be ADController? Can I just add a 2003 server that
DOES NOT affect the AD in anyway?

If I create an unattended CD, what do I do with Winnt.sif, the bat? Can
I put them in a certain directory so they are ran, eg. i wouldnt need to
boot a diskette then running the bat?

Can I use UNC paths in the answers file, if I want to load DUShare =
\\server\share?



Because we have so much different type of hardware I prefer to install
windows on each client separately, so a ghost image is really not an option.

What type of Software (only microsoft released?) can I install
automatically? We use Oracle software with heavily modified registry
settings, can unattend edit the registry for me somehow?

What solutions does your company have?

Any help appreciated!

Sincerely,
Antti H

 

[Dusko Savatovic]

Hi Antti,

I manage three classrooms with 14 computers in each classroom.
I reinstall computers after each course.

We use Symantec Ghost Enterprise Edition.

The rest of the answers are inline...

Dusko Savatovic

Hi there,

I manage around 30 computers. I suddenly realized that I spend alot of
time manually installing windows and all the software per machine, so I
started to look into automating the task, since most installations are
identical to some point.

I did some googling and spent time on microsoft.com, but still:

Does the RIS have to be ADController? Can I just add a 2003 server that
DOES NOT affect the AD in anyway?

RIS itself does not have to be a domain controller, but you must have AD
infrastructure installed, IOW RIS server can be a member server in AD
domain.
BTW RIS is part of group policy and group policy is only available with AD.

If I create an unattended CD, what do I do with Winnt.sif, the bat? Can I
put them in a certain directory so they are ran, eg. i wouldnt need to
boot a diskette then running the bat?

Winnt.sif is used with original install CD. You write winnt.sif to the root
of diskette. You set boot option to boot from CD. During the boot from CD,
the setup program reads diskette, and if it finds winnt.sif, it won't ask
user for answers.

Can I use UNC paths in the answers file, if I want to load DUShare =
\\server\share?
Don't know

Because we have so much different type of hardware I prefer to install
windows on each client separately, so a ghost image is really not an
option.

What type of Software (only microsoft released?) can I install
automatically? We use Oracle software with heavily modified registry
settings, can unattend edit the registry for me somehow?

When you say automatically, you probably mean via group policy.
You can install any application that uses Windows Installer ie setup program
with .msi file extension.

Some sw has /q (quiet install) switch, so it's worthwile checking setup /?
to see what are the options.
You can also install some software using Microsoft SMS. There are other
solutions too. You may check web page of www.ondemandsoftware.com

What solutions does your company have?

Any help appreciated!

Sincerely,
Antti H

Good luck and best regards,
Dusko Savatovic