Summary

Chapter 12: Advanced Operating Systems 9set up new Microsoft Windows computers by using an RIS network shared folder as thesource of the Windows operating system files. You can install operating systems on remoteboot-enabled client computers. User computers that are connected to the network can bestarted by using a Pre-Boot eXecution Environment (PXE)–capable network adapter orremote boot disk. The client then logs on with valid user account credentials.RIS is designed to be used in a relatively small network and should not be used over lowspeedlinks of a wide-area network (WAN). Microsoft System Management Server (SMS)allows a network administrator to manage large numbers of computers on a network. SMScan be used to manage updates, provide remote control, and perform inventory management.An optional feature is operating system deployment, which requires the installation ofthe SMS OS Deployment Feature Pack on the Windows 2003 server. SMS allows the installationof a large number of client computers across the entire network, such as a LAN orWAN.Lab 12.2.2: Advanced Installation of Windows XPIn this lab, you will install a Windows XP Professional operating system by using ananswer file for automation. You will customize partition settings and create an administrativeuser and limited users. Refer to the lab in IT Essentials: PC Hardware and SoftwareLabs and Study Guide, Third Edition (ISBN 1-58713-198-6). You can perform this lab nowor wait until the end of the chapter.Create, View, and Manage Disks, Directories, and FilesWithin the operating system, disks and directories are locations where data is stored andorganized. The file system used by the operating system determines additional factors thataffect storage such as partition size, cluster size, and security features.Disk StructureThe Disk Management utility displays information and performs services such as partitioningand formatting disks in Windows. Figure 12-4 shows the Disk Management utility usedin Windows XP.You can access the Disk Management utility in the following ways:■From the Start menu, right-click My Computer and then choose Manage > DiskManagement.■ From the Start menu, choose Settings > Control Panel > Administrative Tools >Computer Management. Double-click Storage, and then double-click DiskManagement.