New Server builds -- Static IP's and Static NIC's

[Dan_346]

Trying to figure out the best way to boot up and build a new server. Any thoughts or suggestions would be much appreciated!

Our data centers do not allow DHCP so in order to build a server I cannot use PXE or WinPE with DHCP and must use a boot disk with a static address.

If I pre-create the computer accounts with a static address (for a brand new server), is there a way I can have bootworks use the IP assigned to that server vs. entering one with boot disk creator utility?

This may not be possible and I’m stretching for ideas. I have several hundred servers and do not want to manage several hundred boot disks with static addresses.

Additionally, I do not want to manage having a static NIC on the boot disk, yes it’s fairly easy to add multiple NIC’s however a DOS disk will only hold so much which is why I would prefer to boot from WinPE.

[ernst limbrunner]

hi dan

if you create a boot diskette image (using rdp) you can specify a static ip address just for the use by bootworks.

this is not the address used by the server you are trying to set up.

so if you have no need for multiple simultaneous installations a single bootdiskette image will do the job.

and use ilo or riloe remote floppy to boot the servers - thats really nice.

select the UNDI driver when creating the boot image. thios will support almost any nic on this planet (all you loose is multicast features for mass installations).

you might also play around with token replacement - a nice feature of rdp - to preset the servers ip addresses.

best regards
ernesto - germany

[Dan_346]

Hi Ernesto

Actually what would work best for is if I could use the static IP assigned to the server on the boot disk without manually having to modify the boot disk each time. We have over 120 sites and each site would require a different IP configuration on the boot disk. Don't want to manage 120 boot disks if all that is different is the IP setup.

Thx!
Dan