Automating Client Installation and Upgrade

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Before you can automate the installation of Windows 2000 Professional, you must decide if the installation will be an upgrade from a pre–Windows 2000 operating system or a clean installation. The following questions will help you determine whether to upgrade or to perform a clean installation.

  1. Is your organization currently using a managed installation of Windows NT? Yes __ No __

  2. Do you plan to use 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.30 to record which automated installation methods you will use and where in your organization you will use them.

Table A.30 Record Your Automated Installation Methods

Method

When to Use

Use This Method?

Where

Syspart

Use Syspart for clean installations to computers that have dissimilar hardware.

 

 

Sysprep

Use Sysprep when the master computer and the target computers have identical hardware, which includes the HAL and mass storage devices.

 

 

Systems Management Server (SMS)

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

 

 

Bootable CD

Use the bootable CD method with a computer whose basic input/output system (BIOS) allows it to start from the CD.

 

 

Remote OS Installation

Use Remote OS Installation to remotely install an image of Windows 2000 Professional on supported computers, eliminating the need to physically visit each computer to perform an installation.

 

 

Use Table A.31 to record the date you complete each task of your client installation.

Table   A.31 Record Client Installation Tasks

Task

Date Completed

Resolve critical planning issues.

 

Create the distribution folder.

 

Review the answer file.

 

Review the Windows 2000 Setup commands.

 

Choose a method for installing applications that is based on critical planning.

 

Choose a method for installing the operating system that is based on critical planning.