The host server: 2010

Prestaging RIS client computers

Prestaging an RIS client computer is the process of creating a valid client CAO within Active Directory. By prestaging the client computer account in Active Directory, you can configure the RIS servers to only respond to prestaged client computers. This ensures that only those client computers that have been prestaged as authorized users are allowed to install an OS from the RIS server. Prestaging can save time and money by reducing, and in some cases eliminating, the need to fully preinstall the computer.

Prestage a client computer

When you prestage a client computer, you can define a specific computer name and optionally specify the RIS server to service the computer. This information is used to identify and route the client computers during the network service boot request. Make sure you set the appropriate access permissions for users of the prestaged client computer. When prestaging a client computer into a domain with multiple domain controllers, the replication delay of the client CAO information can cause a client computer to be serviced by another RIS server.

Host server

You can use the options in the Host Server dialog box to manually set clients across the available RIS servers within your organization and to segment the network traffic, if you know the physical location of the specific RIS server and where this computer will be delivered. For example, if an RIS server was located on the fifth floor of your building, and you are delivering these computers to users on that floor, then you could choose to assign this computer to the RIS server on the fifth floor.

Finding RIS client computers

You can search Active Directory for RIS client computer accounts using their computer name or GUID. The Show Clients feature searches for all client computers that are prestaged for this RIS server. The search process can include the entire Active Directory structure or be limited to a specific domain. The search process returns a list of the client computers and displays them by their computer name and guid.

Clients search process

The Show Clients search process uses a wildcard search attribute appended to the current RIS server computer name. For example, if the RIS server is named RISsvr1, the Show Clients feature will use RISsvr1* for the server name. When you use the Show Clients feature in multiple RIS server environments, the search result might contain client computers from multiple servers. For example, if you have multiple RIS servers with computer names such as RISsvr1, RISsvr10, and RISsvr100, the search will return, from each of the servers, client computers that begin with the same computer name.

Entire boot ROM sequence

The entire boot ROM sequence and OS installation or replication process is not secure with regard to packet type encryption, client/server spoofing, or wire sniffer-based mechanisms. As such, use caution when using RIS on your corporate network. Make sure you allow only authorized RIS servers on your network and that you control the number of administrators allowed to install and configure RIS servers.

Mechanism for replication

Currently the RIS feature does not provide a mechanism for replication of OS images from one RIS server to another, but there are several mechanisms you can use to solve this problem. Use the strong replication features of the Systems Management Server product, which provides for scheduled replication, compression, and slow-link features. You can also use other vendor solutions for OS image replication. Make sure the replication mechanism you choose supports maintaining the file attributes and security settings of the source images.

Remote boot

Yes, you can have multiple vendor remote boot/installation (RB/RI) servers on one physical network. It is important to understand that currently the remote boot PXE ROM code does not know the difference between vendors' RB/RI servers. As such, when a remote boot-enabled client computer starts and requests the IP address of an RB/RI server, all of the available servers will respond to that client; thus, the client has no way to ensure it is serviced by a specific RB/RI server.

Ability to prestage

RIS gives you the ability to prestage client computers into Active Directory and determine which RIS server will service a client computer. By configuring the RIS server to answer only known client computers (prestaged), you are assured that the correct RIS server will service the client.

Supported network adapters

The RBFG.EXE utility cannot be modified with regard to the number of supported network adapters for this release of RIS. Microsoft will be adding network card adapters over time and will make the updated RBFG.EXE utility available through normal distribution channels such as the World Wide Web, Windows updates, and future service or feature pack updates.

CIW uses the welcome

The CIW uses the WELCOME.OSC file located in the \RemoteInstall\OSChooser folder to manage client installation image choices. When you remove the WELCOME.OSC file and rename the MULTILNG.OSC file to WELCOME.OSC, the CIW will also offer a menu of multiple language choices to the user. You can edit the WELCOME.OSC file to create custom language options.

Prestaging RIS client

Finding RIS client computers

You can search Active Directory for RIS client computer accounts using their computer name or GUID. The Show Clients feature searches for all client computers that are pre staged for this RIS server. The search process can include the entire Active Directory structure or be limited to a specific domain. The search process returns a list of the client computers and displays them by their computer name and guid.

Saturday, February 20, 2010