Automating Server Installation and Upgrade

  • Article

Before you can automate the installation of Windows 2000 Server, you must decide if you will upgrade from Windows NT or perform a clean installation.The chapter "Automating Server Installation and Upgrade" will help you decide which kind of installation to do. The following questions are designed to get you started in making this decision.

  1. Does your organization currently have a managed installation of Windows NT in use? Yes __ No __

  2. Do you plan to use already existing hardware and software applications? Yes __ No __
    If you answered yes to questions 1 and 2, you are a good candidate for an upgrade.

  3. Do you plan to install Windows 2000 on new hardware? Yes __ No __

  4. Do you plan to install new applications that are written for a Windows 2000 environment? Yes __ No __
    If you answered yes to questions 3 and 4, you are a good candidate for a clean installation.

Use Table A.15 to determine which automated installation methods to use and where to use those methods within your organization.

Table A.15 Decide When and Where to Use Automated Installation Methods

Method

When to Use

Use This Method?

When and Where?

Syspart

For clean installations to computers that have dissimilar hardware.

 

 

Sysprep

When the master computer and the target computers have identical hardware, which includes the hardware abstraction layer (HAL) and mass storage devices.

 

 

Systems Management Server (SMS)

To perform managed upgrades of Windows 2000 Server to multiple systems, especially those that are geographically dispersed.

 

 

Bootable CD

With a computer whose basic input/output system (BIOS) allows it to start from the CD.

 

 

Use Table A.16 as a checklist of the tasks you need to complete and the date you complete them.

Table   A.16 Record When You Complete Installation Tasks

Task

Date Completed

Resolve critical planning issues.

 

Create the distribution folder.

 

Review the answer file.

 

Review the Windows 2000 Setup commands.

 

Choose an application installation method based on critical planning.

 

Choose a method for operating system installation based on critical planning.