Remote Installation Services
Applies To: Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2003 R2, Windows Server 2003 with SP1, Windows Server 2003 with SP2
Remote Installation Services
Remote Installation Services (RIS) is an optional component that is included in the Microsoft® Windows Server 2003™ family operating systems.
You can use RIS to create installation images of operating systems or of complete computer configurations, including desktop settings and applications. You can then make these installation images available to users at client computers. You can also specify which RIS server will provide installations to a given client computer, or you can allow any RIS server to provide the installation.
When you use RIS, a CD-ROM is not required for installation of an operating system on a client computer. The client computers must support remote booting with the Pre-Boot eXecution Environment (PXE) ROM, or they must be started with a remote-startup floppy disk and contain a network adapter that is supported by that disk.
You can use RIS to create automated installation images of Windows Server 2003 family operating systems, Windows XP, and Windows 2000.
Before you begin using RIS, see Checklist: Installing Remote Installation Services.
For tips about using RIS, see Best practices for Remote Installation Services.
For help with specific tasks, see Remote Installation Services How To....
For general background information, see Remote Installation Services Concepts.
For problem-solving instructions, see Troubleshooting Remote Installation Services.
Note
- This topic does not apply to Windows Server 2003, Web Edition.