How to set up, configure, and use Remote Installation Services in Windows 2000 (891275)
The information in this article applies to:
- Microsoft Windows 2000 Server
- Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server
SUMMARYYou 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. IntroductionYou 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. back
to the top
Hardware and software requirements
Hardware requirements for the RIS serverThe 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. back to the topHardware requirements for the client computerThe 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. back to the
topSoftware requirementsRIS 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. back to the top
Install RIS on a Windows 2000 Server-based computer- Locate your Windows 2000 Server installation CD.
- In Windows 2000 Server, click Start, point
to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
- Double-click Add/Remote Programs.
- Double-click Add/Remove Windows
Components.
- Click to select Remote Installation
Services, and then click Next.
- Insert the Windows 2000 Server CD in the CD drive, and
then click OK.
- Click Finish to end the
wizard.
- When you are prompted to restart your computer, click
Yes.
- After the server has restarted, log on to the computer as a
local administrator.
back to the top
Set up RIS - Click Start, click Run,
type risetup.exe, and then click OK.
The Remote Installation Services Setup Wizard starts.
- On the Welcome page, click
Next.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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. - 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.
- 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. - 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.
- The wizard installs the service and settings that you have
selected. This process takes several minutes. When this process is finished,
click Done.
back to the top
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:
- Log on to your computer as an enterprise administrator or
as a domain administrator of the root domain.
- Click Start, point to
Programs, point to Administrative Tools, and
then click DHCP.
- Right-click DHCP, and then click
Manage Authorized Servers.
- 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. - Click Yes when you are prompted to verify
that the address is correct.
back to the topGrant 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:
- Click Start, point to
Programs, point to Administrative Tools, and
then click Active Directory Users and Computers.
- Right-click
Your_Domain_Name, and then click
Delegate Control.
- On the Welcome page, click
Next.
- On the Users and Groups page, click
Add.
- 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. - Click to select the Join a Computer to the
Domain check box, click Next, and then click
Finish.
back to the top
Prerequisites for client installationsUse the network adaptor to start the client computerMake 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. back to
the topUse the RIS boot disk to start the client computerThe 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. back to the
top
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.
- 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.
- 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.
back to the top
Use RIS to install a client computer- 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.
- When you see the Welcome page, press
ENTER.
- Type a domain user name, type the password, type the
domain name, and then press ENTER.
- 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.
- A computer account and a global unique ID for this
workstation are displayed. Press ENTER to start the operating system Setup
program.
- 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. - 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. back to the topPrestage the client computerBy 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:
- Locate the container in Active Directory where you want
your client accounts to be created.
- Right-click the container, click New, and
then click Computer. The New Object-Computer
dialog box is displayed.
- 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.
- 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. - 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. back to the
topREFERENCESFor more information about using RIS, visit the following
Microsoft Web site:
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: 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.
back to the
top
Modification Type: | Major | Last Reviewed: | 2/17/2006 |
---|
Keywords: | kbHOWTOmaster KB891275 kbAudITPRO |
---|
|
|
©2004 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
|
|