Windows Deployment Services - RIS

[MediaInfo]

Hi Guys,

I need some help with setting up Windows Deployment Services on Windows 2003 Server.

Let me give you a background first, We have been imaging pcs using Acronis True Image at the moment. The way it works for us is, we prepare a machine with all the applications and settings then create an image, store it on the network, when we purchase a new machine, we boot up the new machine with the Acronis CD, browse through the network where the image resides and restore the machine with the appropriate image.

The problem here is, we need to have an image for all different types of Dell Models we purchase and not only that we have some users who use particular applications etc so we have approx 50 imges at the moment.

This is certainly not the way forward so I did some research and found some information about Remote Instillation Server (RIS) on the net.

I have got a 2003 server setup (with AD, DNS and DHCP working ) for this use now and have installed Windows Deployment Services, which i have read to be the updated and redesigned version of RIS.

I have installed the WDS and configured already. I now need to create an image but the article i have been reading (

http://technet2.microsoft.com/Windo...6711-4c20-bfad-fc80fc2151301033.mspx?mfr=true

) from Microsoft's website talks about a Boot image and an Install image which I don't know anything about.

We don't have Vista in our environment. We only use Win XP.

Can somebody guide me further with how to create an image and deploy that to our old and new cliant machines?

I have a client machine with all the application that we generally use and customized for our use.

All our client machines are PXE enabled.

Thanks a Million in advance.

 

[zram]

You need to use Windows PE to boot the computer before the image can be loaded. You may find it easier to use a free product like BARTPE.


Have you considered using Microsoft ADS?

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/technologies/management/ads/default.mspx

 

[MediaInfo]

Thanks Zram for your reply.

Do i have to do this eventhough we don't have Vista to roll out?

 

[jor1138511]

you could still use Acronis True Image, just need the universal restore tool from acronis, that allows you restore an image for all different types of pcs.

 

[ferrisj]

i work for a school and we just installed WDS. We are an entire XP environment. We are trying to get ready for the summer, and use WDS to reinstall the entire school in one fell swoop.

I will be following this thread closely.

 

[MediaInfo]

I have given up with WDS and have installed a new servier with RIS. I have now taken an image of a cliant machine using RIPrep.exe.

It was much easier to set this up. Now, i am having a problem seeing the image that i have created. I can see if from some machine and cannot see it from others.

Can any one guide me further?