As already mentioned, you have two options for deploying an operating system through RIS. You can use RIPrep to create an image of a reference computer and copy it to the RIS server (this will be discussed further in Part IV). Or you can use CD-based images.

When you run the Remote Installation Services Setup wizard for the first time, a default CD based image is created. The image consists of a copy of the installation files and the default answer file associated with the image. A CD based image contains a typical installation of an operating system, such as a typical installation of Windows XP Professional.

To modify the installation you can create a new answer file or edit the default one. Creating or editing an answer file can be done manually using a text editor or done using a Windows Server 2003 utility called Setup Manager. Once the answer file contains all the desired settings and parameters, it must be associated with the CD image.

Chances are you will end up having multiple images as most organizations tend to have more than one platform running. There may be instances where you don’t want certain images to be available to certain users. For example, you may very well have an image created for a group of administrators. In any case, you do have the option of restricting which images can be installed by setting permissions on the answer file. It’s a simple as going into Windows Explorer and setting the NTFS permissions on the answer file so only the appropriate users and groups have access to it.

The steps you must complete to create an image are outlined below:

1. Install and configure one of the supported operating systems on a reference computer.

2. Once the computer is configure to your satisfaction, run RIPrep by connecting to the RIS server using the UNC. For example: \\RIS\REMINST\Admin\RIPrep.exe. This will launch the Remote Installation Services Setup Wizard. Click Next.
3. Type in the name of the RIS server on the network that the image will be copied to. Click Next.
4. Specify the path where the image will be stored. Click Next.
5. Type in a friendly description and help text for the image. This information will be used by clients to identify images. Click Next.
6. Click Finish.