How to deploy RIS on existing network?

[John McGuire]

We have a test ris server in it own domain on a private lan and all the client images are working fine, just now need to set this up in the live enviroment and I'm finding it hard to get documentation on how to install it within our existing enviroment (multi site with AD and existing DHCP servers)

Is it just a case of building the new RIS server in the domain and telling it not to install DHCP, or do I need to run RIS setup on existing DHCP server

Anyone help?

Edited November 22, 2005 by John McGuire

[RogueSpear]

There are some things to consider here. First off, RIS does NOT need to be run from a server which is also your DHCP server. In one of my environments I actually run RIS off of a NAS device that uses Windows 2000 Server for Appliances and the DHCP server is one of the domain controllers.

As far as installing RIS, you just need to go to Add/Remove Programs and then to Windows Components. You'll find it in there. If you are installing RIS on a 2000 server, you will need to reapply SP4 to the server after installing RIS (that is unless your distro media already had SP4 integrated).

You mentioned multiple sites. Consider very carefully the available bandwidth between sites if you plan on pumping images between them. Some people here may get sick of me mentioning this, but I really can't recommend enough Mark Minasi's Mastering Windows Server 2000 (or 2003 depending on your needs). His explanations are very clear and concise yet thorough.

If you stick to flat file images and avoid RIPrep, you should be able to master the entire process in no time. It's really not as different from media based installs as some would have you think.

[John McGuire]

I plan to place a RIS server on each site, all images are flat with scripted software installs, this part is complete only bit I cant find documented is the dhcp auth part, how does it auth a specific site dhcp server or does it do all of them in the forest?

[RogueSpear]

Use the DHCP snap-in and authorize the RIS server (even if it is not actually running DHCP) as a DHCP server just like you would any other DHCP server. If you go to Active Directory Users and Computer and go to the properties of the computer object which is your RIS server, there are some options in there regarding what computers to accept RIS requests from. I personally have not implemented RIS in a multi-site environment, so I can't be of that much help to you in that regard. But I do remember seeing options in there about what computers to allow to RIS. I'm sure you'll find something that suits your needs.

[John McGuire]

Cheers for that, I should be fine now

[oioldman]

RogueSpear, you mention to re-install SP4 after applying RIS components, why do i need to do this? Only ask, as I don't recall doing this and haven't encountered any issues?

[John McGuire]

Running 2003 with SP1 currently on all servers

[enuffsaid]

Hello,

Sorry, don't have time to read all the answers you've gotten so far.

With regard to the DHCP server... you can instruct the DCHP on your RIS server to respond only to BOOTP clients. That way it won't interfere with your exisiting clients on your network. Check it out!

You can also instruct your current DHCP server to send all BOOTP clients to your RIS server. So you dont HAVE to have DCHP on your RIS.

Good luck...

'nuff

Edited November 22, 2005 by enuffsaid

[RogueSpear]

RogueSpear, you mention to re-install SP4 after applying RIS components, why do i need to do this? Only ask, as I don't recall doing this and haven't encountered any issues?

If your server was installed with a Windows 2000 Gold CD, then SP4 was applied, and then later you install RIS, where the RIS install routine asks for the Windows 2000 Server CD, you will get the older RIS files. Refreshing SP4 will update the RIS files on the server.