how to join domain via scripted install?

[Mark Leffler]

I see where to plug in a workgroup in the unattend.txt file - what directives are needed to join a w2k domain?

Thanks,
Mark

[Jason McGee]

Check out the UNATTENDED.DOC file that is in the support.cab file on the W2K CD. This doc is a comprehensive resourece for al unattend.txt parameters.

To add a machine to a domain you will irst need to add the [Identification] section header. If this key is not present, the computer is added to the default workgroup. If the information for this key is not complete, the user is prompted to provide this information.

Under this section header add the following parameters:

JoinDomain
Value:
Specifies the name of the domain in which the computer participates. You can specify either this key or the JoinWorkgroup key, but you cannot specify both. For example:
JoinDomain = MYDOMAIN

DomainAdmin
Value:
Specifies the name of a user account in the domain that has permission to create a computer account in that domain. This key is required if you set the value of the JoinDomain key to Yes even though the computer account may already exist on the domain. For example:
DomainAdmin = accountname

DomainAdminPassword
Value:
Specifies the password of the user account as defined by the DomainAdmin parameter. This key is required if you set the value of the JoinDomain key to Yes even though the computer account may already exist on the domain. For example:
DomainAdminPassword = abcdef123


Note This is a potential security issue, since the password is in plain text. For a deployment, you should create a special account that can be used to create computer accounts in the domain or, better still, create computer accounts in the domain before starting the deployment. The password is deleted from the copy of the Unattend.txt file left on the computer after Setup is complete. IN W2K3 the admin password can be encrypted in this file.