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<title>Understanding the Value of IntelliMirror, Remote OS Installation, and Systems Management Server : [Microsoft Windows 2000, Microsoft Windows 2000 platform, Windows 2000 Professional, Windows 2000 Server, IntelliMirror, Remote Operating System Installation, Systems Management Server]</title>
<meta NAME="KEYWORDS" CONTENT="Microsoft Windows 2000, Microsoft Windows 2000 platform, Windows 2000 Professional, Windows 2000 Server, IntelliMirror, Remote Operating System Installation, Systems Management Server">
<meta NAME="DESCRIPTION" CONTENT="This strategy paper shows how IntelliMirror, Remote OS Installation, and Microsoft Systems Management Server work together to offer a full complement of change and configuration management features for Windows-based systems. This article is a guide designed to help administrators select the right combined solution to configure and maintain users' desktops in their corporate computing environments.">
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used on their own or teamed with other management features. For example, to augment
the installation and maintenance functions of IntelliMirror in multi-LAN
environments, IntelliMirror can be teamed with the Windows 2000 distributed
file system (Dfs) to provide a network of distribution servers. In more
complex multi-LAN and mixed Windows environments, the Software Installation and Maintenance feature of IntelliMirror can be replaced with Systems Management Server. Implementing the User Data Management and User Settings
Management features of IntelliMirror with Systems
Management Server provides the broadest range of features for change and
configuration management of Windows-based desktops.</p>
<h2>The Value of Remote OS Installation</h2>
<p>The Remote OS Installation
feature works during initial startup, before the resident operating system has
been loaded. It allows computer hardware that is connected using a LAN to find
a networked computer running Windows 2000 Server, and request installation of a
fresh copy of Windows 2000 Professional, appropriately configured for that user
and that computer. The ability to autoinstall the operating system by policy,
without the need for additional technical support, can significantly reduce the
IT support overhead in bringing new computers online and in reinstalling
operating systems on computers in the field. </p>
<p>Remote OS Installation uses a
Windows 2000 Server-based computer as a remote source, serving as the network
equivalent of a CD-based installation of Windows 2000 Professional or a
preconfigured Windows 2000 Professional desktop image. These work in the
<!--msthemelist--><tr><td valign="baseline" width="42"><img src="../../_themes/copy-of-tilt/atlbull1.gif" width="15" height="15" hspace="13"></td><td valign="top" width="100%"><!--mstheme--><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica"><b>CD-equivalent installation:</b> This is similar to setting up a computer directly by using the
Unattended Install options available on the Windows 2000 Professional CD.
However, rather than residing on a CD, the source files are placed on Windows
2000 Servers and made available across the network.
<!--msthemelist--><tr><td valign="baseline" width="42"><img src="../../_themes/copy-of-tilt/atlbull1.gif" width="15" height="15" hspace="13"></td><td valign="top" width="100%"><!--mstheme--><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica"><b>Pre-configured desktop image:</b> This feature allows a network administrator to clone a standard Windows
2000-based corporate desktop configuration, complete with OS
configurations, desktop customizations and locally installed
applications. Once configured, the cloned image is stored on computers
running Windows 2000 Server. On request, the server downloads these
images to new computers. The new computer’s hardware does not have to be
identical to that of the computer on which the image was created,
because the Windows 2000 Professional operating system support for Plug
and Play can adjust for hardware differences.<!--mstheme--></font><!--msthemelist--></td></tr>
<!--msthemelist--><tr><td valign="baseline" width="42"><img src="../../_themes/copy-of-tilt/atlbull1.gif" width="15" height="15" hspace="13"></td><td valign="top" width="100%"><!--mstheme--><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica">Reduce the costs incurred in setting up new computers
running Windows 2000 Professional.
<!--msthemelist--><tr><td valign="baseline" width="42"><img src="../../_themes/copy-of-tilt/atlbull1.gif" width="15" height="15" hspace="13"></td><td valign="top" width="100%"><!--mstheme--><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica">Provide dynamic configuration and repair, making it
<!--msthemelist--><tr><td valign="baseline" width="42"><img src="../../_themes/copy-of-tilt/atlbull1.gif" width="15" height="15" hspace="13"></td><td valign="top" width="100%"><!--mstheme--><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica"><b>Remote OS Installation:</b> This component is used
specifically to deploy Windows 2000 Professional or company-standard Windows
2000 Professional-based desktop images. Remote OS Installation will reload the
operating system or desktop image even where the existing system configuration
is non-operational. (Note: The Microsoft System Preparation Tool used with a
third-party cloning tool provides similar desktop image replication.)
<!--msthemelist--><tr><td valign="baseline" width="42"><img src="../../_themes/copy-of-tilt/atlbull1.gif" width="15" height="15" hspace="13"></td><td valign="top" width="100%"><!--mstheme--><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica"><b>IntelliMirror:</b> This component uses a <i>pull</i> model for software
deployment. This provides a highly dynamic solution that makes software
available to users as it is needed, installing software <i>just in time</i>.
However, for a satisfactory end-user experience,
IntelliMirror typically requires high-speed LAN connectivity between the client
computer and the distribution server where the installable software is held.
<!--msthemelist--><tr><td valign="baseline" width="42"><img src="../../_themes/copy-of-tilt/atlbull1.gif" width="15" height="15" hspace="13"></td><td valign="top" width="100%"><!--mstheme--><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica"><b>Systems Management Server:</b> This component uses a <i>push</i> model
to deploy software to computers or to distribution points, where it can
then be locally pulled down onto a computer either by the user or
through use of IntelliMirror. Using Systems Management Server, IT
administrators can coordinate and schedule software deployments,
allowing single- or multiple-phase rollout of software and even
arranging for off-hours distribution and installation. Using the push
model, Systems Management Server provides IT administrators with the
ability to control and synchronize software deployments over multiple
sites, helping to reduce compatibility issues that may otherwise occur.<!--mstheme--></font><!--msthemelist--></td></tr>
