RE: Building workstation install images.

["Kevin Ashurst" <ashur624 () erau edu>]

Use microsoft sysprep, off of the windows XP CD, or the newer version for
SP2 from
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=3e90dc91-ac56-4665-
949b-beda3080e0f6&DisplayLang=en

Get your images all set, then run sysprep. Shut down the machine and image.
When you reboot after the image, it has mini setup for windows that you can
script or manually input to join AD or workgroup, PC name, product key, etc.
You can use sysprep to deploy the same image to similar machines and load
drivers as well. It will probably work on both GX models, did for me.

Kevin



-----Original Message-----
From: Joseph Forbes [mailto:jftitan () gmail com] 
Sent: Thursday, March 17, 2005 10:18 AM
To: security-basics () securityfocus com
Subject: Building workstation install images.

Hey Everyone! 

  I know many of us have wanted to do this, and even have done setups like
this, I even had many opportunities during my schooling at which I
volunteered to help reimage HDDs for each quarter. So machines would be
spyware/crap & more crap free.

  I am wondering what would be the most effective way to build HDD images,
of 3 different installs (example: 2 types of Dell GX workstations, and 1
type of Dell server)  Including security templates, to secure the
workstations (Not on a AD), etc.

  I am currently using Norton Ghost, to build the images of the three
different machines. Before making the images, I step by step configure the
machines to the way I want them. But the way I am doing it, is slow, and
manual.

Question is...  Is there any administrative (wizard) that will help be build
the images, but have them be installable (example: When you power on a new
dell for the first time you do a installation process, which as well
configures the machine with its service tag, etc) As well having the
administrative templates installed.

Any tips, or suggestions on what anyone else has done to prepare HDD images
for workstation installs.

--
Joseph Forbes  "Don't Forget to Salt the Fries!"
Network Security Administrator
SwapNEtwork eXtreme, Inc. 
jftitan () satx rr com (jftitan () swapnetx com) cell 210.834.3450 fax
775.415.9280