This page is dedicated to showing you, step by step, how to build a deployment infrastructure using Microsoft’s latest tools and methodologies.

Before deploying any new operating system it must be tested. Ideally a lab should be constructed, representative of the IT environment. However, a very practical alternative are virtual environments. Either Microsoft’s Virtual PC or VM Ware work well, and both have snapshot and rollback functions.

These instructions will use VM Ware Workstation 5.5 (although the free product VM Ware Server will also work). However, the process will be the same for individual machines. Where appropriate, there are links to the specific tools or utilities used. Licensing issues are not covered here and are the responsibility of the implementation team.

Note: testing with VM Ware Workstation 5.5 using ISO images in place of physical drives caused unpredictable results. Either burn the necessary ISO files to CD or use an ISO mount tool that is external to VM Ware. You will also need to include the network drivers in the next stages to simulate interaction with an external network.

There will be three basic processes for new builds. Upgrades of existing machines will be dealt with in later sections. It is recommended that these sections be covered first to develop an understanding of the tools and terminology

I. Unattended Installation with a Custom Answer File and Original Media

The first scenario will be an unattended installation, using the original media and an answer file. It is useful for new machines needing a standard configuration. It requires the least network traffic, and can be used in remote locations with poor connectivity. As part of the process the machine will be joined to an Active Directory domain (vista), using a domain ID "joiner" with the necessary permissions, and so some network connectivity will be necessary. If this is not a requirement, the process can be performed in isolation. A new local user (LocUser) will be created and granted administrator privileges. In addition, a domain user (DomUser) will be added to the local administrators group and the workstation will have autologon configured to use the local administrator account.

Foundation

Download and install VM Ware Workstation on a machine with at least 2 GB of RAM and 80 GB of available disk space, running Windows XP or 2000.

Build an initial virtual workstation (VM1) using either Windows XP, Vista, or Windows 2003 Server. VM1 will need 512 MB of RAM, 30 GB of disk space, with CD-ROM and floppy devices attached. Install VM Ware Tools.

Download and Install the Windows Advanced Installation Kit on VM1.

Create a custom answer file

1. Insert the Windows Vista product DVD into the local DVD-ROM drive on VM1.
2. Navigate to the \Sources directory on your DVD-ROM drive. Copy Install.wim from the product DVD to a location on VM1, for example, C:\Vista_Installation.
3. Open Windows System Image Manager (WSIM) by clicking Start > All Programs > Microsoft Windows AIK, and then clicking Image Manager.
4. On the File menu, click Select Windows Image.
5. Navigate to the location where you saved install.wim, and then click Open.
   Note: if this is the first time you have opened the Windows image file you will be prompted to create a catalog file. Hit Yes. The process may take a couple of minutes, but it’s a onetime event.
6. In Select an Image, select the appropriate version of Windows Vista, and then click OK. (On some media there will only be one option).
7. On the File menu, click New Answer File.

   Note: This link is to an example answer file. It will perform the steps listed in the scenario description.

Add components to the answer file

In WSIM, on the Windows Image pane, expand the Component node to display available settings.

Add the components in the following table to your answer file by right-clicking the component and then selecting the appropriate configuration pass.

In the Answer File pane, select and configure each setting as specified.

Add additional drivers (e.g. VM Ware)

a. Network Drivers

1. Copy the driver to the A: drive, under a subdirectory, e.g. a:\drivers. If you have installed VM Ware Tools on VM1, the necessary drivers are at C:\Program Files\VMware\VMware Tools\Drivers.
2. In Windows SIM select menu option Insert > Driver Path > Pass 1 windowsPE..
3. Navigate to the driver directory on the A: drive, and hit Enter
4. In the Answer File pane of Windows SIM and new branch will be displayed Microsoft-Windows-PnpCustomizationsWinPE > DriverPaths > PathAndCredentials.
5. There will be a sub-branch for Credentials, containing parameters for Domain, Password, Username.
6. As the driver will be on a local drive (the A: drive) these parameters are not necessary. To avoid error messages during Answer File Validation, click on the Credentials branch and hit Delete.

b. Other drivers

1. Create a network share point and copy the drivers to a suitably named directory.
2. In Windows SIM select menu option Insert > Driver Path > Pass 1 windowsPE..
3. Navigate to the driver directory on the UNC share, and hit Enter. (Using a mapped drive will not work).
4. In the Answer File pane of Windows SIM and new branch will be displayed Microsoft-Windows-PnpCustomizationsWinPE > DriverPaths > PathAndCredentials.
5. There will be a sub-branch for Credentials, containing parameters for Domain, Password, Username.
6. Enter a set of credentials that the system can use to connect to the drive.

Validate the answer file

1. In Windows SIM, click Tools, and then click Validate Answer File. The values in the answer file are compared with the available settings in the Windows image.
2. Messages appear to indicate a successful validation. Error messages appear in the same location if the validation was not successful.
3. To fix errors, double-click the error in the Messages pane, change the setting, and then revalidate.
4. On the File menu, click Save Answer File. Save the answer file as Autounattend.xml.
5. Copy Autounattend.xml to the root of removable media such as a Universal Flash Device or floppy disk.

Creating base workstation configuration

1. Create a new virtual machine with 512MB, 20GB, and CD-ROM and Floppy devices.
2. Turn on the new computer and insert the removable media containing the answer file (Autounattend.xml) and the Windows Vista product DVD.
3. Restart the computer. Windows Vista Setup (Setup.exe) starts automatically and searches all removable media for an answer file named Autounattend.xml.

   Note: For the installation process to reboot and continue unattended, the boot sequence in the computer BIOS must be CD-ROM, Hard drive, Removable media (floppy). Otherwise the process will hang while attempting to read the OS from a floppy.

4. After Setup is complete, ensure that all customizations in the answer file were applied as specified.

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