Designing Image-based Installations with Sysprep

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

Use the System Preparation tool (Sysprep), included with the Microsoft® Windows® operating system, to perform image-based installations when you want to install identical operating systems and software configurations on multiple computers as quickly as possible. By carefully planning and designing your image-based installation, you can accommodate hardware and software differences among computers, minimize end-user interaction during installation, and reduce the number of images you have to manage.

In This Chapter

Overview of Image-based Installations

Identifying Inventory Requirements for Image-based Installations

Defining Disk Images

Designing the Image Delivery Process

Designing Preinstallation Tasks for Image-based Installations

Designing Automated Setup Tasks

Creating Disk Images

Creating Startup Media for a Destination Computer

Deploying Disk Images

Additional Resources for Designing Image-based Installations with Sysprep