Remote Installaion Service (RIS)

How to Install Remote Installation Service (RIS)

Roll out your desktops the modern RIS way. Choose Windows Server 2003's RIS rather than Ghost. This page will show you how to install and configure Microsoft's RIS. My goal is to help you design and plan a small or medium sized roll-out of XP Professional using RIS.Introduction to RISThere are many ways to install XP clients. Whilst 'Ghost' imaging software is popular, I urge you to try RIS. Take advantage of Microsoft's intellimirror technology which automatically repairs client installations. RIS links with OUs and Group Policies as a result you can control the XP desktop from the outset.Topics for Installing RISPre-requisites and DependenciesPhase 1 - Add or Remove ProgramsPhase 2 - Wizard to Copy the XP ImagePhase 3 - Active Directory Users and ComputersSummary of Installing RISHow to Install RIS (Remote Installation Service)Pre-requisites and DependenciesThe RIS Server can be a Member Server, in fact it's probably BETTER to offer RIS from a Member Server than a Domain Controller.DHCP for the initial PXE (means Pre eXEecution, but is pronounced 'Pixie) boot. Remember to Authorize the Server in Active Directory.Active Directory (DNS). A simple practicality, you need a domain controller available when you install RIS.Another 2GB NTFS partition. There will be a problem if you only have one partition, because the RIS images cannot be on the System Partition. The answer is to create a large partition for all the XP images.Once a RIS failed to install on a server with a DHCP address and with the wrong DNS server. From a troubleshooting point of view, I foolishly changed both factors at once, so I was never sure whether it was the dynamic IP or the incorrect DNS that caused the problem.RIS is a very difficult topic, as an MCT trainer, I can thoroughly recommend TrainSignal because they provide practical hands on training. In particular, I like the way TrainSignal cover all learning methods, instructor lead, video and of course text material. You can either take one module, for example DNS or go for a combination of modules. Learn more about RIS 2003 hereDetailed Step-by-Step RIS SetupPhase 1 - Add or Remove ProgramsThink of installing the actual RIS Service as a two stage process. Begin just as you install WINS or Certificate or any other service. Navigate to Add or Remove Programs, Windows Components, select Remote Installation Services.Unlike any another service that I know, there is more work to do after the Add or Remove programs session completes. After you reboot the Windows 2003 Server, seek out the Administrative Tools menu, and Remote Installation Services Setup. The RIS wizard is one of Microsoft's best; it guides you through selecting the partition, and the name for the first XP Professional image.Note: The above method works for Windows Server 2003, but on Windows 2000, return to the Add or Remove programs and see the newly added item, which leads you through to phase 2. Beware this is a truly bizarre experience and many give up at this point.Phase 2 - Wizard to Copy the XP ImageIt sounds silly now, but the first time the RIS wizard prompted me for the CD, I put in the Windows Server 2003 CD. Wrong. I should have put the XP Professional CD in the caddy, clearly the wizard wants to create the client image. (It did not need any server files.) It takes a fair time to copy the image into your NTFS partition. Here is a screen shot taken at the copying stage.Phase 3 - Active Directory Users and ComputersAnother surprise, most of the rest of your RIS configuration is at the Computer object in Active Directory Users and Computers (ADUC). However, if you think about what's going to happen, it makes sense to configure RIS in Active Directory. In the ADUC interface, navigate to the Computers container, or the Domain Controllers if you installed RIS on a DC. The initial surprise is that the Computer Object of the machine where you just installed RIS has extra Tab called, Remote Install. See diagram below.Note that the Respond to client computers requesting service is not checked by default. As an aside, my view is that finding this check box is your passing out test. Officially, the reason its unchecked is that Microsoft don't want rogue laptops picking up images before you are ready.What Next?So, you have successfully installed the Service, What next?Authorize RIS / DHCPMore Configuration at the Remote Install Tab. Including checking Respond to client computers requesting service.Collect more RIS ImagesGet ready at the client to install the actual XP Professional Client using RISSummary of Installing RISRIS is one of the most difficult Services to installing RIS. Let us be realistic, either you need a detailed plan, or you will need at least 3 attempts if you follow your nose and employ trial and error.Configuring Remote Installation Service (RIS)One curiosity of the RIS service is the way you configure the options via the Computer object in Active Directory Users and Computers. This page provides on tutorials explaining the Tabs, Menus and options for optimizing the RIS server in a Windows Server 2003 domain. (Good news, the Windows 2000 RIS configuration is almost identical.)Introduction to Configuring RISOnce you have installed RIS, there is still a great deal of menus to visit before the whole RIS system kicks into effective action. At the simple level, remember that by default, no clients will be given RIS images until you check the box on the Remote Install tab. At the complex level, decide how many RIS Servers you need and whether to install a referral server.Topics for RIS Configuration OptionsPre-Requisites and Assumptions - Before you Configure RISConfiguring RIS in Active Directory Users and ComputersRemote Install Tab - RIS InterfaceComputer Account Generation OptionsSummary of Configuring RISPre-Requisites and Assumptions - Before you Configure RISI am assuming that you have successfully installed the RIS service (Not a trivial task, see here if you need help to install RIS). Most operations in this tutorial can be completed on any machine with Active Directory Users and Computers installed. However there are just a few limitations, such as Verify where you need to be logged on at the very RIS Server Console. (Naturally you have to be an administrator for the domain.)RIS is a very difficult topic, as an MCT trainer, I can thoroughly recommend TrainSignal because they provide practical hands on training. In particular, I like the way TrainSignal cover all learning methods, instructor lead, video and of course text material. You can either take one module, for example DNS or go for a combination of modules. Learn more about RIS 2003 hereConfiguring RIS in Active Directory Users and ComputersLet us begin with an easy task:1. Open your MMC (Or select Administrative Tools)2. Launch Active Directory Users and Computers3. Select the computer object corresponding to the RIS Server4. Right click the RIS server and select properties5. Click on the Remote Install TabRemote Install Tab - RIS InterfaceIn passing, note that this where set the RIS server to respond to clients requests for XP images. Before the RIS service is ready for operation, we need to configure options.New ClientsFrom the Remote Install tab, click on the Advanced Option button. From the default tab called 'New Clients' see down at the bottom of the tab how you can control the container or OU where the new XP Machines will born. The Browse button connects through to Active Directory Users and Computers where you can make your choice of OU.If you are at the console of the very RIS server, then the 'Verify' button is active. In particular check that the RIS and DHCP has been Authorized in Active Directory. Incidentally, for the 'Dos diehards' there is a command line program called Risetup, however all it does is invoke the same wizard that you activate through the Remote Install, Verify Button.Images TabYou can check how many versions of XP are available by inspecting the Images tab. It is also possible to add a 'Vanilla' versions of XP from this interface. The most likely reason for using this menu is if the original version became corrupted. See RiPrep for instructions how to add more flavors of XP Professional.Tools TabI have never used the Tools menu. My understanding that this is for 3rd party vendors who hook onto RIS for their installation software.Computer Account Generation OptionsDecide How and Where to Place and What to Call the new XP Professional machines. With care you can control every aspect of the new XP Professionals from birth at the PXE card to death when you decommission in 2020.The naming format is a triumph for %variables to generate the unique name of each and every machine. Take the time to investigate all the options, I guarantee it will give you ideas for naming conventions.Summary of Configuring RISTo me, Configuring RIS is a labor of love. A classic case of combining business with pleasure. As you visit all the menus described in the tutorial, you feel that you are doing a job that needs doing, while at the same time you learn a little more about RIS.Much of the joy of configuring RIS is absorbing how RIS combines with Active Directory in a way that Ghost images could only dream of interacting.