Using Systems Management Server to Deploy Windows 2000
Using Systems Management Server to Deploy Windows 2000 |
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The Windows 2000 Server package definition that comes with Systems Management Server 2.0 includes predefined programs. Review these programs to understand how the upgrades are performed.
The Windows 2000 Server upgrade from Windows NT Server includes the switches /unattend30 and /batch. The first switch, /unattend30, means that you will do an unattended upgrade and that all the required information will be taken from the current installation. The computer will restart 30 seconds after the Setup program completes its first phase, which is when the files are copied to your computer. An answer file is not used.
The /batch switch specifies that Setup not display any error messages. This is appropriate when you are sending the package to users you do not want involved in the Setup or if you are running the upgrade when no one is at the computer. However, if there are problems with the upgrade, such as a lack of disk space or an incorrect Start in directory, then this will not be readily apparent, because no error messages will appear.
However, you need to include error information in the SMS status messages generated as a result of the operation. If you encounter problems in your testing and the status messages are insufficient, remove the /batch switch to allow errors to be displayed during package testing. Also, if the user clicks on the Cancel button during the first phase of the Windows 2000 Setup, the user will not be asked to confirm that they want to stop the Setup.
By default, the Start in directory for the package is specified as i386. This is appropriate if the source for the package includes an i386 directory, mirroring the Windows 2000 CD-ROM. However, if the source for the package only includes the files in and below the i386 directory on the CD-ROM, it is not necessary to specify a Start in directory.
The estimated disk space and run time values included in the SMS 2.0 package are estimates that might not be realistic for your environment. You might want to increase them. These values are informational only and for the benefit of the user.
Notice on the Environment tab that the program is run with administrative rights securely provided by SMS. This is an important benefit when you are upgrading clients that run Microsoft Windows NT Workstation to Windows 2000 Professional. This feature means that you do not have to give administrative privileges to end users. It can also be important when servers are owned by business units and when central administrators have rights on the servers only through SMS.
If you include an answer file in the command line of the package program, it allows you to specify many of the options for your upgrade. For example, you can specify which disk Windows 2000 is to be installed on, or whether an upgrade or new installation needs to be done.