Web Hosting Talk : Web Hosting Main Forums : Dedicated Server : Server 2008 R2, 64-bit + Imaging

[leckley]

Hi Guys,

I am looking for a way to fully customize Windows Server 2008 R2 64-bit and then deploy that custom image to multiple different hardware specifications.

I have looked at quite a few options, but most all only support using the image on identical hardware which is unfortunately a problem.

I am wanting to make quite a few changes to the OS + install software in order to cut down on the deploy times where we have to manually install things and customize for performance etc.

Anyone have a suggestion on how to do this?

Looking to do it via an ISO if possible as an imaging servers really isn't practical for the network topology.

Thanks!!

[zomgmike]

I'm guessing that if you're asking this, slipstreaming is outside the scope of what you're looking for?

[leckley]

Originally Posted by zomgmike

I'm guessing that if you're asking this, slipstreaming is outside the scope of what you're looking for?

Indeed unless you know of an awesome slipstream tool - so far all the ones I have looked at do little more than get drivers on the disk.

I do not fancy the idea of trying to do it by hand.

[zomgmike]

I haven't personally done it with 2008, but because you can do it with XP, I'd guess you can do it with 2008. I've done it with XP before and this is the tutorial I used (although it's been 6 years since I last visited this site.)

http://unattended.msfn.org/unattended.xp/

It's limited in scope to things that can be installed with a silent installer.

[Maxnet]

I am wanting to make quite a few changes to the OS + install software

What type of software do you need to have installed?

While disk imaging has it uses in deploying large number of identical CLIENT computers, you generally should NOT use it for server software.

The problem is that if you start the regular official installation procedure of commonly used hosting control panels like Plesk or standalone server applications, they usually automatically create extra user accounts on the system with random passwords for things like database access or internal frontend/backend communication.

However the moment you use disk imaging those passwords are no longer random, but exactly the same for all servers deployed.
This creates a security problem, especially if you intend to deploy the servers for use by customers instead of just for internal use.
A rogue customer could recover the password, and use it to access the databases located on other customers' servers.


Instead of using disk imaging, you should try to script the official installation procedures for the software you want to have installed.
E.g. write a batch script, that mounts the installation share contain the installation files with the "net use" command, and starts "setup.exe" with the right parameters for a silent installation.
Yes, that is manual work.


For more information on installing the base operating system itself in unattended mode, including things like adding extra drivers the right Google term is "Windows AIK"
Using the AIK requires quite some time to learn though.
So it's only worth doing if you have a lot of Windows systems to install.

[leckley]

Originally Posted by Maxnet

What type of software do you need to have installed?

While disk imaging has it uses in deploying large number of identical CLIENT computers, you generally should NOT use it for server software.

The problem is that if you start the regular official installation procedure of commonly used hosting control panels like Plesk or standalone server applications, they usually automatically create extra user accounts on the system with random passwords for things like database access or internal frontend/backend communication.

However the moment you use disk imaging those passwords are no longer random, but exactly the same for all servers deployed.
This creates a security problem, especially if you intend to deploy the servers for use by customers instead of just for internal use.
A rogue customer could recover the password, and use it to access the databases located on other customers' servers.


Instead of using disk imaging, you should try to script the official installation procedures for the software you want to have installed.
E.g. write a batch script, that mounts the installation share contain the installation files with the "net use" command, and starts "setup.exe" with the right parameters for a silent installation.
Yes, that is manual work.


For more information on installing the base operating system itself in unattended mode, including things like adding extra drivers the right Google term is "Windows AIK"
Using the AIK requires quite some time to learn though.
So it's only worth doing if you have a lot of Windows systems to install.

Thanks for the feedback, security is not an issue and it is that we need to install a ton of machines where we want the OS, software + as many drivers to be identical.

This not only save a heck of a lot of time in deployment, but when needing to troubleshoot things everything is identical beyond the hardware and various drivers.

I believe I have a working solution at this point using sysprep + windows image server.

[Redstation]

A simple solution is to install windows to a VHD

http://blogs.technet.com/b/keithcomb...r-2008-r2.aspx

This means you can copy 1 file to any server and boot it.

[Cookiesowns]

From my understand microsoft releases a tool to system builders or OEM's so that they can customize the ISO and AKA slipstream drivers into the install process. I've tried it, and it was quite deep in terms of what you can do.

I can't remember off the top of my head on what it is and what it is called, but if you look around google images for a systems builder CD box of windows 7 or server 2008, you should be able to find the link for it.

I think that's something you want to try out before seeking other alternatives

EDIT: Seems to be called the Microsoft OPK. This may or may not be the one I'm talking about, its since been over 2 years since I tried anything like so. USB flash with windows server or 7 loaded is my prefer to installing the OS

[indianguru]

We can provide such solution.
Data center located at DE.
PM me for more info.