Installing across a Network

Installing Windows Server 2003 across a network is almost the same as performing the installation from a local CD-ROM. Both methods require access to the distribution files from the CD (duh!), and you have to manually launch the WINNT or WINNT32 setup tools.

Manually launching setup from DOS, Windows 3. x , or Windows for Workgroups over a network requires little change to the process described in the preceding section. However, from these operating systems, you need to map a local drive letter to the network share. (This mapped letter tells Setup where the distribution files live.) Setup automatically copies all of the data files it needs before rebooting.

Manually launching setup from Windows 9 x , Windows NT, Windows 2000, or Windows XP over a network requires an additional check box. In the Advanced Options dialog box (the one that appears when you click the Advanced Options button on the Setup Options screen during the installation process), be sure that the Copy all Installation Files from the Setup CD option is selected.