Trilight Zone

[digital8]

I've been playing with ADS for a few weeks now w/ limited success. I have my DA server up and running and have captured an image using the default xml files supplied with the program. I've searched the forum and can't quit pin down what I'm looking for, so I have a few questions to post. (My work environment is a native 2003 AD with primarily cisco components and IBM servers. Most of the 500 servers are local and about a 1/4 in remote locations.)

1) What do you recommend as a good source book for xml help for a non-coder?

2) I am unable to attach to a test server X on a different subnet from my DA. I can take control of the server, but it always stays in a disconnected state. How do I control the server? It doesn't matter if the ADS agent is installed or not on test server X.

3) This ties back to question 2, I can't get test server X to pxe boot back to the DA server even though I have the server MAC address, name and IP address under the device area in the ads.msc. We have made the DA server the bootp server from a network perspective. What needs to be addressed on the network to allow the server X to pxe boot to the DA?

4) I have read the white paper and quick start guide and I may have missed it, but what is the purpose of the master server? How does this tie back to the DA server? What configuration options are there?





1) I recommend you write all sequences with the ADS sequence editor and not worry much about the xml.

2) You likely don't have a correctly configured network to route pxe/dhcp. Reference: http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=257579

3) Refer to answer for 2

4) http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/techinfo/overview/ads.mspx
All the info you need and some you don't. A single one size meets all ADS everything server is fine unless you need to image over 10-20 machines at once.