(Unattended Installation)

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

[Identification]

The [Identification] section contains entries for specifying the network identification of a computer. If these entries are not present, Setup adds the computer to the default workgroup. If there is not enough information for this entry, Setup prompts the user to provide this information.

This section can be used only with the [Networking] section.

Answer File Entries for the [Identification] Section

Entry Description

DomainAdmin

Specifies the name of the user account in the domain that has permission to create a computer account in that domain

DomainAdminPassword

Specifies the password of the user account defined by the DomainAdmin entry.

JoinDomain

Specifies the name of the domain in which the computer participates.

JoinWorkgroup

Specifies the name of the workgroup in which the computer participates.

MachineObjectOU

Specifies the full Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) path name of the organizational unit (OU) in which the computer belongs.

DomainAdmin

Specifies the name of the user account in the domain that has permission to create a computer account in that domain.

Syntax
DomainAdmin = account_name
Value Description

account_name

Account name.

Example
[Networking]
[Identification]
DomainAdmin = JayH
Comments

This entry is required if you set a value for JoinDomain, even though the computer account might already exist on the domain.

DomainAdminPassword

Specifies the password of the user account defined by the DomainAdmin entry.

Syntax
DomainAdminPassword = password_of_user_account
Value Description

password_of_user_account

Password for user account.

Example
[Networking]
[Identification]
DomainAdminPassword = "abcdef123"
Comments

The password is deleted from the $winnt$.inf file, which is a copy of the original answer file left on the computer after Setup completes. However, using the JoinDomain, DomainAdmin, and DomainAdminPassword entries to join the computer to the domain is still a potential security issue because the password is in plain text. If anyone has access to the original answer file, they can use that password to access your network.

Note

  • If you create a password that starts with an asterisk (*), Windows sets the password to Null. A null password could be a security risk and is not recommended.

JoinDomain

Specifies the name of the domain in which the computer participates.

Syntax
JoinDomain = domain_name
Value Description

domain_name

Domain name.

Example
[Networking]
[Identification]
JoinDomain = "abcdef123"
Comments

You can specify either this entry or the JoinWorkgroup entry, but you cannot specify both.

Use an account with limited credentials that can only create computer accounts and join them to the domain.

JoinWorkgroup

Specifies the name of the workgroup in which the computer participates.

Syntax
JoinWorkgroup = workgroup_name
Value Description

workgroup_name

Workgroup name.

Example
[Networking]
[Identification]
JoinWorkgroup = MYUSERGROUP
Comments

You can specify either this entry or the JoinDomain entry, but you cannot specify both.

MachineObjectOU

Specifies the full Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) path name of the organizational unit (OU) in which the computer belongs.

Syntax
MachineObjectOU = workgroup_name
Value Description

DNS_name

DNS name.

LDAP_path

LDAP path.

Example
[Networking]
[Identification]
MachineObjectOU = "OU = myou,OU = myparentou,DC = mydom,DC = mycompany,DC = com"
Comments

None.