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Image-based Installations of NLB Clusters

Image-based Installations of NLB Clusters

Image-based installations, also known as disk cloning or simply cloning, is the fastest method of deploying Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Server. Image-based installations are useful if you are deploying computers that have similar hardware and you want to perform quick, clean installations with minimal end user interaction

Cloning NLB Clusters consists of the following steps:

1. Building a master installation on a master computer. Building a master installation includes installing and configuring the operating system and any software and drivers you need to include on your virtual hard disk.
2. Preparing the master installation with the Sysprep tool. This includes configuring and running the Sysprep tool on the master computer.
3. Generating a virtual hard disk of the master installation with the disk-imaging tool. This includes saving each virtual hard disk to a permanent storage location.
4. Loading virtual hard disks on destination computers that will make up a cluster.

Using SYSPREP to prepare for imaging

 

Building a Master Installation

You need to setup a master computer which you will use to build a master installation and later to create a virtual hard disk.

Building a master installation includes installing and configuring the operating system and any software and drivers you need to include on your virtual hard disk.

Prepare the master installation.

After you have prepared a master installation on the master computer, you need to prepare a virtual hard disk for cloning. Microsoft provides a tool called sysprep that allows you to prepare an image for cloning. The tool can be found on the Windows Advanced Server 2003 CD in the \support\tools directory. When you run sysprep on the master computer, you can supply one of the following two switches: -factory or reseal.

You can use Factory mode to install additional drivers and applications at the stage after the reboot that follows Sysprep. Normally, running Sysprep as the last step in the pre-installation process prepares the computer for delivery. When rebooted, the computer starts Mini-Setup. By running Sysprep with the -factory option, the computer reboots in a network-enabled state without starting Mini-Setup. In this state, Factory.exe processes its answer file, Winbom.ini, and performs the following actions:

1. Copies drivers from a network source to the computer
2. Starts Plug and Play enumeration
3. Stages, installs, and uninstalls applications on the computer from source files located on either the computer or a network source
4. Adds customer data

When finished, run Sysprep with the -reseal option to prepare the virtual hard disk for cloning.

For example, you can create a master installation that contains a minimal set of drivers, run sysprep -factory, create an image of the installation, and copy the image to multiple destination computers. If any destination computers require additional drivers, run sysprep -factory on the destination computer and load those drivers at that time.

For more information about the Factory mode and winbom.ini file, refer to Microsoft Windows XP Preinstallation Guide. This document is located in Deploy.cab on the Windows Server 2003 CD.

If you do not need to install any additional drivers or applications on the destination computers, run sysprep in the Reseal mode.

Sysprep and Sysprep.inf Answer file

To completely automate NLB cluster installation, you will need to use the sysprep.inf file which is an answer file used by sysprep during and after Mini-Setup.

Required Sections and Entries in sysprep.inf

A fully unattended Setup requires the following sections and entries:
Required section Required entries in that section Comments
[Unattended] UnattendMode

TargetPath

 
[GuiUnattended] AdminPassword

TimeZone

 
[Identification] JoinWorkgroup You may instead specify JoinDomain, DomainAdmin, and DomainAdminPassword.
[LicenseFilePrintData] AutoMode

AutoUsers

Requires AutoUsers ifAutoMode = PerServer.
[Networking]   Required to configure network protocols.
[UserData] ComputerName

FullName

 

Please refer to the Operating System Sections and Entries for Unattended Install section of this document for an explanation of what each of these entries is used for.

NLB-specific Sections and Entries

See section NLB-specific Sections and Entries for NLB specific configuration options in the sysprep.inf answer file.

 

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Additional Tools

 

Some additional tools that perform useful tasks are the Configure Your Server and Add/Remove Programs utilities. You may also use non-Microsoft, third party tools, such as virus-checking software.

 

Configure Your Server

This utility allows you to configure basic system information, including:

 

Ø       Registering your copy of Windows 2003 so that you receive product updates.

Ø       Upgrading to a domain controller by installing Active Directory.

Ø       Running wizards that guide you in modifying and installing various services.

 

 

To access the Configure Your Server utility

From Control Panel, open Administrative Tools, and then Configure Your Server.

 

Add/Remove Programs

This is a utility found on a client computer that helps you manage applications installed on the computer. It prompts you through the steps necessary to add a new application from a compact disc, floppy disk, or the network, or to change or remove an existing application.

 

Application-Specific Utilities

As a network administrator, you may occasionally need to use applications other than those available in Windows 2003 to meet specific server needs. Applications, such as Microsoft SQL Server and Microsoft Exchange, have their own utilities for managing the specific functions of these applications.

 

Third-Party Tools

Depending on the configuration and needs of your network, you may have third-party tools installed to provide additional functionality, such as protection from viruses. You use virus-checking applications to maintain the integrity of the data in the network.

 

Microsoft Management Console

 

Most of the tools that a network administrator needs to perform day-to-day tasks are available individually. Because all of the tools are not available in one location, Windows 2003 provides the capability to create a customized tool that contains all the required utilities. In this manner, the regularly accessed tools are all available at one location.

 

Another benefit of creating a customized tool is that an administrator can save the customized tool for later use and share the tool with other administrators and users. Also, administrators can create multiple tools of varying levels of complexity, which is useful for delegating tasks. To create a customized tool, you use the Microsoft Management Console (MMC). The customized tool that you create is called an MMC console and the primary tools that you add to it are called snap-ins. You can also add links to Web pages, folders, task pad views, and tasks to an MMC console.

 

To create a customized console

1. In the Run dialog box, type mmc

2. On the Console menu, click Add/Remove Snap-in.

 

An MMC console consists of a window divided into two panes. The left pane is called the console tree and contains two tabs: Tree and Favorites. The console tree shows the items that are available in a given console. The right pane is called the details pane. The details pane shows information about the items in the console tree. The details pane can also display other types of information, including Web pages, graphics, charts, and tables.

 

Each console has its own set of menus and toolbars, separate from those of the main MMC window, that helps a user perform various tasks. The Windows 2003 operating system has preconfigured and saved consoles

available in the Administrative Tools folder in Control Panel. One such example is the Computer Management console.

 

To protect network resources from unauthorized access, the identity of each user accessing the network must be verified when logging on. Each user must have a valid account name and correct password. The account name identifies each unique user in a domain. The password keeps the use of that account private, so that only users who know the password can use the account. After the user’s identity is verified, the user’s access to computers on the network is authenticated.

 

To facilitate network administration, you can organize users into groups and assign permissions to these groups to access network resources. You can control the kinds of actions users perform on the network by granting appropriate user rights.


 

 

 


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