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Automatic Image Deployment: Of Ghost, PXE, et all


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Hello all. I have inherited a PC installation, where they have 300 PCs that are re-imaged twice a year (sometimes more). The previous admin used BartPE boot cds to boot into windows, map a network drive, and image the pcs using Norton Ghost.

But i think there should be a better way. I have heard and read about many options, but i couldn't find anything that was clear enough.

Also, the information is overwhelming.

What i like to do is basically have a way of rebooting the PCs when needed, and to image them with a customized image. Its important to note that:

1) I don't need to create/customize the image, cause it is being sent from the outside.

2) I don't need to backup any information, as it is stored on the users H: drive (server drive)

3) I want it to be as simple as possible, better if it can be managed from a central location.

4) The PCs are all the same ThinkCentre M50.

5) The PCs support all booting from LAN (PXE?)

6) This are all XP PCs.

7) We have windows 2003 servers.

I first thought of creating a boot DOS Network Boot CD with ghost to connect to the network share, and image the machines. Also looked at the option of a Boot CD that would connect to the ghostcast server, but i have also heard about PXE.

Problem is that i don't know what to do. I would like to try PXE, but have no idea how to do it. Is it peercast a good thing? I even considered Acronis Snap Deploy.

Also, what is SysPrep, should i use it?

Any ideas/tips/starting/points/full guides would be greatelly appreciated.

THANKS A LOT.

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Since you are "new" to the field, and thus have no previous habits/personal preferences, you could have a look at these:

http://winner.windowsdream.com/

http://ping.windowsdream.com/

However using GHOST , and the methods used by your predecessor and the one you proposed are both "standard de facto" in the IT world.

A good start point for GHOST is here:

http://ghost.radified.com/

jaclaz

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