Microsoft KB Archive/891275

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Article ID: 891275

Article Last Modified on 11/5/2007


APPLIES TO

  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Server
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server


SUMMARY

You can use Remote Installation Services (RIS) in Microsoft Windows 2000 Server to install Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional, Microsoft Windows 2000 Server, or Microsoft Windows XP Professional on a remote client computer. To use RIS to install Windows 2000 Server or Windows XP Professional, you must have Windows 2000 Service Pack 3 or a later version installed on the server that is running RIS.
RIS requires specific hardware and software on the server and client computers. After you have configured the required hardware and software, install RIS on a Windows 2000 Server-based computer. RIS must be installed on its own hard disk partition with at least 800 megabytes (MB) to 1 gigabyte (GB) of free space. After RIS is installed, the RIS server must be authorized by the Active Directory directory service.

The client computer can connect to the RIS server by using either a Pre-Boot Execution Environment (PXE) ROM or a RIS boot disk. After the client computer connects to the RIS server, you can use the typical installation procedure to install the operating system.


IN THIS TASK

Introduction

You can use RIS for Windows 2000 to set up new client computers from a remote location. When you want to set up a new client computer, use RIS to install a local copy of an operating system. To do this, use a RIS network shared folder as the source of the operating system files.

You can use RIS to install Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional when RIS is running on a Windows 2000 Server-based computer. You can also install Windows 2000 Server and Windows XP Professional if the Windows 2000 Server-based computer that is running RIS has Windows 2000 Service Pack 3 or a later version installed.

To use RIS to install an operating system on a remote client computer, connect the computer to the network. Then, use a PXE ROM or a RIS boot disk to start the client computer. Use a valid user account to log on to your network, contact a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) server to obtain an IP address, and then contact a RIS server to install the operating system.

This document outlines the steps that are required to install, to configure, and to use RIS.

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Hardware and software requirements

Hardware requirements for the RIS server

The RIS server requires the following hardware:

  • A Pentium or Pentium II 200 megahertz (MHz) CPU is recommended. At a minimum, a Pentium 166 MHz CPU is required.
  • 64 megabytes (MB) is the minimum amount of RAM required. If additional services are installed, such as Active Directory, DHCP, or DNS services, the minimum amount of RAM is 96 to 128 MB, depending on the number of services that are running.
  • A 2-gigabyte (GB) hard disk drive that is dedicated to the RIS directory tree on the RIS server is required.
  • A 10-megabits per second (Mbps) or 100-Mbps network adaptor card is required. A 100-Mbps adaptor card is preferred.


Note You should dedicate a whole hard disk drive or partition specifically to the RIS directory tree. SCSI-based disk controllers and hard disks are preferred.

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Hardware requirements for the client computer

The client computer requires the following hardware:

  • A Pentium 166 MHz or faster CPU
  • A NetPC client computer
  • 32 MB of RAM
  • A 1.2-GB hard disk drive
  • A Pre-Boot Execution Environment (PXE) DHCP-based boot ROM that is version .99c or a later version, or a network adaptor that is supported by the RIS boot disk. Always contact the manufacturer of your network adaptor to obtain the latest version of the PXE ROM.

You must install RIS on a hard disk drive that is formatted by using the NTFS file system. RIS requires a significant amount of disk space and cannot be installed on the same drive or partition where Windows 2000 Server is installed. Make sure that the hard disk drive that you use contains enough free disk space for at least one full set of the operating system installation files. Typically, you must have a minimum of approximately 800 MB to 1 GB of hard disk space.

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Software requirements

RIS requires several components that are included as part of Windows 2000 Server. The following services must be active and available to RIS. These services can be installed on individual servers or on the RIS server.

  • Domain Name System (DNS)

RIS relies on DNS to locate the Active Directory directory service and client computer accounts. You can use any Windows 2000 Active Directory-compliant DNS server, or you can use the DNS server that is provided with Windows 2000 Server.

  • Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP)

RIS requires an active DHCP server on the network. The remote boot-enabled clients receive an IP address from the DHCP server before they contact RIS.

  • Active Directory

RIS relies on Windows 2000 Active Directory to locate existing clients and RIS servers. RIS must be installed on a Windows 2000-based server that has access to Active Directory. For example, you can install RIS on a domain controller or on a server that is a member of a domain that has access to Active Directory.

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Install RIS on a Windows 2000 Server-based computer

  1. Locate your Windows 2000 Server installation CD.
  2. In Windows 2000 Server, click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
  3. Double-click Add/Remote Programs.
  4. Double-click Add/Remove Windows Components.
  5. Click to select Remote Installation Services, and then click Next.
  6. Insert the Windows 2000 Server CD in the CD drive, and then click OK.
  7. Click Finish to end the wizard.
  8. When you are prompted to restart your computer, click Yes.
  9. After the server has restarted, log on to the computer as a local administrator.

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Set up RIS

  1. Click Start, click Run, type risetup.exe, and then click OK. The Remote Installation Services Setup Wizard starts.
  2. On the Welcome page, click Next.
  3. On the Remote Installation Folder Location page, type the path of the folder where you want to install the RIS files in the Path box, and then click Next. By default, the drive and folder are going to be on the largest NTFS-formatted hard disk drive that is not a system or a startup drive. By default, the path of the largest NTFS-formatted hard disk drive that is not a system drive or a startup drive appears in the Path box. Accept the default path, or type a different path.


Notes

    • The hard disk drive where you want to install RIS must be formatted by using NTFS.
    • RIS cannot be installed on the same drive or partition where Windows 2000 Server is installed.
    • RIS requires a minimum of 800 megabytes (MB) to 1 gigabyte (GB) of hard disk space.
  2. If you want the server to start supporting clients immediately after you set up RIS, click to select the Respond to clients requesting service check box on the Initial Settings page, and then click Next. If you select this option, the server can respond to clients and provide them with operating system installation options. If you do not select this option, the RIS server does not respond to the clients that request service.
  3. On the Installation Source Files Location page, type the drive letter of the CD drive that contains the operating system CD. Or, type the path of a network share that contains the operating system installation files in the Path box, and then click Next.


Note To configure RIS to install Windows 2000 Server or Windows XP, you must install Windows 2000 Service Pack 3 or a later version on the server that is running RIS. If your RIS server is running Windows 2000 Service Pack 2, or an earlier version, RIS can install only Windows 2000 Professional.

  1. On the Windows Installation Image Folder Name page, type the name of the folder that will contain the workstation files on the RIS server, and then click Next. This folder is created in the folder that you specified in step 3. The folder name must reflect the folders contents. For example, the name of the folder may be Win2000.pro.
  2. On the Friendly Description and Help Text page, type a description of the operating system image in the Friendly description box, type Help text in the Help text box, and then click Next.


The friendly description and the Help text are displayed to users or to IT staff during the startup of a remote client in the Client Installation Wizard.

For example, if this workstation operating system will be customized for sales staff, you might include "Windows 2000 Professional for Sales Staff" in the description text. The Help text is displayed when the user selects the description in the Client Installation Wizard. Make sure that you provide clear Help text so that users choose the correct operating system option at installation time.

  1. On the Review Settings page, view the settings you have chosen, and then click Finish. If you want to revise one of your choices, click Back to return to the appropriate page. Then, make your changes, click Next until you reach the Review Settings page, and then click Finish.
  2. The wizard installs the service and settings that you have selected. This process takes several minutes. When this process is finished, click Done.

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Authorize RIS in Active Directory

After RIS is installed and set up, you must authorize the RIS server in Active Directory. If you do not authorize the RIS server, it cannot service clients that request a "network service boot". The RIS server can be authorized in Active Directory from the following computers:

  • Any domain controller
  • A member server of the domain
  • A Windows 2000 Professional-based workstation that has the Administrator Tools Package and the DHCP Server Management snap-in installed

To authorize RIS in Active Directory, follow these steps:

  1. Log on to your computer as an enterprise administrator or as a domain administrator of the root domain.
  2. Click Start, point to Programs, point to Administrative Tools, and then click DHCP.
  3. Right-click DHCP, and then click Manage Authorized Servers.
  4. Click the name of your RIS server in the Authorized DHCP servers list, and then click OK.


Note If your server is not listed in the Authorized DHCP servers list, click Authorize, type the IP address of the RIS server in the Name or IP address box, and then click OK.

  1. Click Yes when you are prompted to verify that the address is correct.

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Grant the required user permissions

Users who will be using the RIS service to install operating systems must have permission to create computers accounts in the domain. To grant a user this permission, follow these steps:

  1. Click Start, point to Programs, point to Administrative Tools, and then click Active Directory Users and Computers.
  2. Right-click Your_Domain_Name, and then click Delegate Control.
  3. On the Welcome page, click Next.
  4. On the Users and Groups page, click Add.
  5. In the Select Users, Computers, or Groups list, click the name of the user who you want to create computer accounts, click Add, click OK, and then click Next.


Note To select more than one user name in the Select Users, Computers, or Groups list, hold down CTRL while you select users.

  1. Click to select the Join a Computer to the Domain check box, click Next, and then click Finish.

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Prerequisites for client installations

Use the network adaptor to start the client computer

Make sure that the client computer's network adaptor has been set as the primary boot device in the system BIOS. When the client computer starts, and it is configured with the network adaptor as the primary boot device, the client computer requests a network service boot from the RIS server on the network.

When a network service boot is requested, DHCP provides an IP address for the client computer, and the client computer can then download the Client Installation Wizard. At this point, the wizard prompts a user to log on. Then, the wizard displays a list of unattended installation options for operating systems. Available options depend on the user's credentials or security group membership. The network administrator uses Group Policy settings to determine which installation options are available to a user. The options are based on the policy that has been defined for the user on the client computer that initiated the network service boot request.

After the RIS server is contacted, it prompts the user to press F12 to download the Client Installation Wizard. The user should press F12 only if prompted and only if the user requires a new operating system installation or access to maintenance and troubleshooting tools.

After RIS installs the operating system, the user can ignore the request to press F12 when the computer starts. Alternatively, you can set the primary boot device to another option in the system BIOS.

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Use the RIS boot disk to start the client computer

The RIS boot disk can be used with computers that do not contain a remote boot-enabled ROM on the network adaptor. The RIS boot disk is designed to simulate the PXE startup process for computers that lack a supported DHCP PXE-based remote boot ROM. To use the RIS boot disk, insert the boot disk in the 3.5 inch disk drive, and then start the client computer. The computer starts from the RIS boot disk and requests that you press F12 to start the network service boot. You must remove the RIS boot disk after pressing F12 and before the text mode part of the Windows 2000 Professional Setup program is completed.

Note Compaq computers let you press the F12 key during system startup on PC98-based systems or on NetPC-based systems. In this case, you must press F12 on the Compaq splash screen, and then press F12 again when you are prompted by the RIS server.

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Create a RIS boot disk

The utility that generates RIS boot disks is named Rbfg.exe and is located in the \RemoteInstall\Admin folder on every RIS server.

The Rbfg.exe utility can also be found in the Administrator Tools Package that is included with Windows 2000 Server. The Administrator Tools Package can be deployed across your organization by using either Microsoft Systems Management Server 2.0 or the Software Installation snap-in for Windows 2000. (The Software Installation snap-in is part of the Group Policy infrastructure.) To create a RIS boot disk, run the Rbfg.exe utility on the RIS server or on a computer that has the Administrator Tools Package installed.

  1. Browse the RemoteInstall\Admin\i386 folder on the hard disk drive where you installed RIS. Double-click RBFG.exe. The Windows 2000 Remote Boot Disk Generator dialog box opens.
  2. To create a RIS boot disk, insert a disk into the appropriate drive, and then click Create Disk.

To see a list of supported network adaptors, click Adaptor List.

Note The Rbfg.exe utility does not let you add network adaptors.

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Use RIS to install a client computer

  1. Use the RIS boot disk or the network adaptor to start your client computer. When you are prompted, press F12 to start the download of the Client Installation Wizard.
  2. When you see the Welcome page, press ENTER.
  3. Type a domain user name, type the password, type the domain name, and then press ENTER.
  4. You receive a warning message that states that all the data on the client computer's hard disk will be deleted. To continue, press ENTER.
  5. A computer account and a global unique ID for this workstation are displayed. Press ENTER to start the operating system Setup program.
  6. If you are prompted, type the product key, and then click Next. The product key is located on the back of the installation CD case.


Note You can avoid this step by specifying the product key in the .sif file.

  1. Follow the operating system Setup program to complete the operating system installation.

After the installation is completed, you are prompted to enter an existing user account, a password, and a logon domain to log on to the network. At this point, you have successfully used RIS to install and to configure a remote operating system.

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Prestage the client computer

By prestaging the client, you can define a specific computer name, and optionally, the RIS server that can service the client. To do this, follow these steps:

  1. Locate the container in Active Directory where you want your client accounts to be created.
  2. Right-click the container, click New, and then click Computer. The New Object-Computer dialog box is displayed.
  3. Type the computer name. Then, authorize domain-join permissions for the user or for the security group that contains the user who is going to use the computer.
  4. When you are prompted, type either the GUID or the universally unique identifier (UUID), and then click to select the This is a managed computer check box.


Note The GUID or UUID is a unique 32-character number that is supplied by the manufacturer of the computer. The number is stored in the basic input/output system (BIOS) of the computer. The number is written on the case of the computer or on the box that the computer had been shipped in. If you cannot locate this number, run the BIOS configuration utility. Contact your OEM for a script that can be used to prestage newly purchased clients in Active Directory for use with RIS. This script must be created by using Microsoft Visual Basic Scripting Edition.

  1. The next screen prompts you to indicate the RIS server that this computer is serviced by. This option can be left blank to indicate that any available RIS server can answer and service this client. If you know the physical location of the RIS server and of the client computer, you can use this option to manually assign the computer to the RIS server.


For example, if a RIS server is located on the fifth floor of your building, and you are delivering computers to users on that floor, you can assign these computers to the RIS server on the fifth floor.

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REFERENCES

For more information about using RIS, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/Bb742501.aspx


For additional information about using RIS with Windows 2000 Server, click the following article numbers to view the articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

308508 Unable to create Windows 2000 Server image on RIS server


257579 PXE clients do not receive an IP address from a DHCP server across a router


For information about using RIS with Windows XP, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb457100.aspx


The third-party products that this article discusses are manufactured by companies that are independent of Microsoft. Microsoft makes no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding the performance or reliability of these products.

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Keywords: kbhowtomaster KB891275



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