Windows 2003 Installation/Upgrade and Update

Checking Compatibility Supported Upgrade paths Using the MS Windows Upgrade Advisor HCL (Hardware Compatibility List) – no longer supported, but will take you to all other relevant links HCL Windows Server Catalog

Prepare a Deployment Plan Document the HW and SW Document the network (protocols, phys. networking equipment, configuration) Document Legacy components Prepare and perform lab testing

Clean (New) Install vs Upgrade Clean Install Fresh start No old OS file left More time consuming In-place Upgrade Preserves configuration, apps and data Less time-consuming Upgrade of DC affects the entire network Old OS files left Setup/Upgrade can be launched by: Setup.exe (in the root of CD) Winnt.exe (in \i386, for clean install only) Winnt32.exe (in \i386)

Installation options Boot from Windows Server 2003 CD (new installs only) Run setup.exe from CD (upgrade or dual-boot) Boot from MS-DOS Boot Disk (if non- bootable CD or dual-boot with non- Windows OS, clean install only) Install from a network share (only on MS OS with networking)

Attended Vs Unattended Installation Attended Least preparation Time-consuming, just waiting for file to copy Unattended More pre-planning Save time installing on multiple machines on network Uses answer file Can patch your distribution folder before install Other automated installation options (image-based, clean installs only): SYSPREP RIS

Activating Windows Server 2003 MS Product Activation is a new approach to prevent software piracy MS Product Activation Products must be activated within a limited time period (usually 30 days) Can be activated over the Internet or over the phone Product Activation Facts

Windows Update - A MS website that provides updates for Windows O/S software and Windows-based hardware. Updates address known issues and help protect against known security threats. - Updates can be critical or optional (application and h/w drivers). Here is the official classification.Here - Automatic Updates feature allows you to delivery critical updates to your computer as they become available. They are several installation options.

Microsoft Update - A new service that includes Windows Update and also includes updates for Microsoft Applications (such as Office)

Windows Server Update Services - WSUS 3.0 enables administrators to deploy the latest Microsoft product updates to Server 2003, Windows XP with SP 1, and Windows 2000 with SP 4 operating systems. - You can compare WSUS with other update methods herehere

WSUS