Deployment Network Considerations
To use a network for deployment, you must share the folders containing the Windows OPK and Windows AIK tools and applications to preinstall, and ensure that all computers used in preinstallation have valid IP addresses, either by using Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) or by assigning static IP addresses.
For the preinstallation to work correctly, you must share the tools and application folders, and then create user accounts for accessing them. You can use opkuser and a password for the OPKTools folder containing your configuration sets, and use appuser and a password for the applications folder used for installing applications.
To share a folder, right-click it, click Sharing and Security, and then select Share this folder on the Sharing tab.
Creating User Accounts for Installation
The procedures for creating user accounts differ, depending on whether you use domains or workgroups.
To create new user accounts in Windows XP Professional (when joined to a domain)
On the Start menu, click Control Panel, click Performance and Maintenance, click Administrative Tools, and then double-click Computer Management.
Double-click Local Users and Groups, right-click Users, and click New User.
Type a new user name and password to use during the application installation.
To create new user accounts in Windows XP Professional (in a workgroup) or Windows XP Home Edition
On the Start menu, click Control Panel, click User Accounts, and then click Create a new account.
On the Name the new account page, type a name, and then click Next.
On the Pick an account type page, select Computer administrator, and then click Create Account.
Configuring DHCP Addresses for a Network Installation
All computers in a network environment that use DHCP automatically receive IP addresses, and DHCP is enabled by default.
For networks without a DHCP server, Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) can be used as a DHCP server. The technician computer must have two network adapters, the destination computer must have a network adapter, and the network adapters must be listed in the Windows Marketplace.
To configure DHCP addresses for a network installation by using Internet Connection Sharing (ICS)
On the desktop of the technician computer, right-click My Network Places, and then click Properties.
Right-click the network adapter that does not connect to the destination computer, and then click Properties.
On the Advanced tab, select the Allow other network users to connect through this computer's Internet connection check box.
Click OK.
A message box appears, stating that your LAN adapter's IP address is changed to 192.168.0.1.
Click Yes.
Your computer is configured for ICS.
Best Practices for High-Volume Deployments
For high-volume deployment environments such as factories or enterprises, the following best practices are recommended:
- Fast network infrastructure: To transfer images of Windows Vista to destination computers as quickly as possible, use gigabit networking and switches instead of hubs to connect your destination computers to your image servers.
- Windows Deployment Services (Windows DS): Use Windows DS on your image servers to deploy .wim files to destination computers booted from Windows PE RAM disks.
- USB 2.0 boot support: On your destination computers, use a BIOS with USB 2.0 boot support. This enables faster Windows PE boot times, which make deployments faster.
- Win32 tools: To optimize your development resources, develop a single Win32 test suite to test in your lab and deployment environment and for your recovery solution.