Deploy Vista using the DS Service of Windows Server 2003 R2

The Windows Deployment service is an upgraded version of the RIS (Remote installation) service, which installs the Windows operating system using the Windows image (WIM) file. Currently, the Windows mapping file format includes Windows Vista and the future Windows Server 2008 operating system. In other words, Windows Deployment Services can be used to remotely install Windows Vista and the future Windows Server 2008 operating system.

Introduction to Windows Deployment Services

The Windows Deployment service includes a PXE server and a normal file Transfer Protocol (TFTP) server. In addition, the Windows Deployment service includes the client interface and snap-in. The Windows Deployment Services component includes server components, client components, and management components.

The Windows Deployment service will give users who deploy Windows operating systems the following benefits:

• More efficient than manual installation;

• Improve performance consistency of operating systems and applications;

• Reduced call to the consulting desk compared to manual installation;

• Reduce the time required for users to install new operating systems and frequently used applications.

Windows Deployment Services uses the Windows Preinstallation Environment (Windows PE) to provide a client-initiated service. The Windows Deployment Services client uses the menu provided by Windows PE and is the same as the procedure for installing Windows.

The Windows Deployment Service has no additional requirements for memory or CPU speed on either the server or the client computer. The Windows Deployment Services server requires the use of NTFS partitions and provides adequate disk space for storing image files.

Windows Deployment Services requires the Windows Server 2003 operating system to install the SP1 or SP2 Windows Deployment Service update package and install Remote Installation Services (RIS) without having to configure it. (If the Ris,windows Server 2003 SP2 is installed, the Windows Deployment service will be installed by default.) ）

The environment in which you deploy Windows Deployment Services must meet the following requirements:

· The Windows Deployment Service server must be a member of an Active Directory domain;

• A DHCP server must be installed;

• Have a computer that uses PXE to boot.

Install Configuration Windows Deployment Service

Log on to the server with the Administrator account and run Add Remove Windows Components in Add/Remove Programs. On the Windows Components Wizard page, on the Windows Components page, select Windows Deployment Services and install the component (Figure 1).

Figure 1 Installing the Windows Deployment Services component

At this point, if Windows Server 2003 is not an integrated "SP2" installation and you are prompted to insert a Windows Server 2003 installation CD or a Windows Server 2003 SP1 installation CD, insert the appropriate disc as prompted. When the installation is complete, follow the prompts to restart the computer.