combining sysprep with SmartStart

[Ayman Altounji]

I've got a customer that is wanting to combine SmartStart with Sysprep.

I suggested using an integration server and just replicating the servers, but for one reason or another (bandwidth to remote sites mostly I believe) this is not a convienent solution.

So, that leaves them with the thought of combining sysprep with SmartStart and finding the shortest path to complete the task so that the remote sites can easily replicate servers.

Any ideas? Thanks!

[Ayman Altounji]

Smart Start and Sysprep cannot be combined together ...

[Ayman Altounji]

I am in an ASP environment where I need to be able to roll out servers quickly. I have combined the SmartStart scripting tools with a sysprep image of a server and I am able to use a floppy and a CD to completely automate the build process and build a server in under 30 minutes. I don't use a software repository server, but I'm sure I could in place of the CD, and use this method remotely, although bandwidth would still be an issue. Is this what you're referring to?

[Ayman Altounji]

Ah, someone who seems to have Sysprep and Compaq Servers working together. I have built a 6400 Server and want to use this as a base to sysprep and put images onto DL580s, DL380s, 1850s and DL360's. I've sorted out the mass storage device exclusions in sysprep.inf when building it on a Dl360 put during the plug and play part it just hangs. How on earth do I work out what driver is causing this to avoid it. Before I sysprep, should I have the Microsoft or Compaq drivers in installed. I've tried using the drivers that Win2k picks up but this is causing my problem. Any help or ideas?

[Ayman Altounji]

You cannot (easily) mix ACPI and NON-ACPI servers. I had the same issue.

Look into Sysprep 1.1, Microsoft's newer version of the utility. It won't fix your problem, but the documentation explains how LIKE HAL's must be used together. I know that DL380's and DL360's are ACPI servers...and I know that 1850's are NOT. I don't know about 6400's or DL580's.

You MIGHT be able to capture the right HAL file(s) and somehow copy them to the target server prior to the the mini-install wizard. Perhaps build the base server as FAT32, copy the file(s) using dos, let the mini-install wizard run then convert to NTFS later...just a thought.

That issue aside, I'm very happy with the combination of the two tools to create a fast server build.

[Ayman Altounji]

Ah, someone who seems to have Sysprep and Compaq Servers working together. I have built a 6400 Server and want to use this as a base to sysprep and put images onto DL580s, DL380s, 1850s and DL360's. I've sorted out the mass storage device exclusions in sysprep.inf when building it on a Dl360 put during the plug and play part it just hangs. How on earth do I work out what driver is causing this to avoid it. Before I sysprep, should I have the Microsoft or Compaq drivers in installed. I've tried using the drivers that Win2k picks up but this is causing my problem. Any help or ideas?