RIS Server Configuration Design Background

Applies To: Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2003 R2, Windows Server 2003 with SP1, Windows Server 2003 with SP2

The way you design your RIS server configuration directly impacts its performance. For example, where you place your RIS servers on the network makes a difference because RIS servers generate heavy traffic during periods when clients are installing operating system images. Also, the number of RIS servers you have plays a role in installation performance because there is a limit to how many clients each RIS server can handle before time-outs occur during client service requests. In addition, by making use of multiple distribution points to provide different operating system images to RIS clients, you can mitigate network traffic and provide faster installation times to clients.

Another factor that impacts your RIS server configuration is the way you implement RIS server security. In corporate environments, you need to design a RIS server configuration that provides secure responses to clients requesting service. To do this, you need to set specific RIS server properties, provide security for non-prestaged clients, and secure the operating system images that you distribute to clients. You can also include prestaging RIS client computer accounts in Active Directory as part of your design, to maximize the security of RIS-based operating system installations.