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        Sysprep and networking components

Section(s): Admin
Published on Sep 11, 2007.
Last Modified on Sep 11, 2007.
Last Modified by Mitch Tulloch.
Rating: Not Rated

How to properly deploy servers with pre-configured networking components

Sysprep can be used to prepare Windows servers for image-based deployment, and IT shops who are planning on deploying servers to branch offices often use Sysprep and disk imaging tools for this purpose. Someone asked me once whether they could also pre-configure a server with networking components like DNS and DHCP services and then sysprep the server for deploying to multiple locations.

The answer is no, you can't do it that way. Why? Because Sysprep resets your network settings, so you'll lose any customizations you've configured.

What's the alternative? Script the following post-deployment tasks for the branch office servers you plan to deploy:

Use Sysocmgr.exe to automatically install networking components like DHCP and DNS (see http://support.microsoft.com/kb/222444).
Then use netsh.exe to configure networking settings for these services (see http://support.microsoft.com/kb/242468)

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Mitch Tulloch is lead author for the Windows Vista Resource Kit from Microsoft Press, which is THE book for IT pros who want to deploy, maintain and support Windows Vista in mid- and large-sized network environments. Mitch is also the author of Introducing Windows Server 2008, the first book from Microsoft Press about the exciting new server platform. For more information on these and other books written by Mitch, see www.mtit.com.

About Mitch Tulloch

Mitch Tulloch is a widely recognized expert on Windows administration, networking, and security. He has been repeatedly awarded Most Valuable Professional (MVP) status by Microsoft for his outstanding contributions in supporting users who deploy and use Microsoft platforms, products and solutions. Mitch has published over two hundred articles on different IT websites and magazines, and he has written or contributed to almost two dozen books and is lead author for the Windows 7 Resource Kit from Microsoft Press. For more information, see www.mtit.com .