Evaluating RIS Client Hardware
Applies To: Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2003 R2, Windows Server 2003 with SP1, Windows Server 2003 with SP2
In general, RIS client computers must meet the requirements for the operating system that you install on them. Whether you are deploying a client or server operating system, it is still considered a client installation with respect to RIS. However, hardware requirements differ between computers that host client operating system software and those that host server operating system software.
For more information about Remote Installation Services system requirements, see "Remote Installation Services system requirements” in Help and Support Center for Windows Server 2003.
To verify whether your existing client hardware is compatible with Windows XP, see the Windows Catalog link on the Web Resources page at: https://www.microsoft.com/windows/reskits/webresources.
You can also verify hardware compatibility by consulting the following:
Hardware Compatibility List. A list of software and hardware products that are compatible with Windows 2000 and earlier Windows operating systems. See the Hardware Compatibility List link on the Web Resources page at https://www.microsoft.com/windows/reskits/webresources.
Windows XP Professional Upgrade Center. A Microsoft Web site that provides information for verifying whether your system hardware and software is compatible with Windows XP Professional. See the Windows XP Professional Upgrade Center link on the Web Resources page at: https://www.microsoft.com/windows/reskits/webresources.
For more information about verifying software and hardware compatibility see "Designing Image-based Installations with Sysprep" in this book.
For this part of your planning process, use job aid "Planning for RIS Clients" (ACIRIS_01.doc) on the Windows Server 2003 Deployment Kit companion CD (or see "Planning for RIS Clients" on the Web at https://www.microsoft.com/reskit) to indicate whether client computers require hardware upgrades. Also indicate the domains or organizational units in which clients must receive an upgrade and the personnel you want to assign to the task.