Automating Installation

During my day-to-day work, there are many times I need to do re-installation again and again to simulate and to practice. I have found there are actually a couples of ways to automate installation easily. In Oracle there is a response file which you can edit the default parameters, similar Linux kickstart process.

In Oracle, this is how I start

1. Start record the default parameters by typing
   setup.exe -record -destinationFile C:\OraInst\rec.rsp.
   The installation will run normally and a summary page will be presented. You can opt to cancel or continue.
2. To use a response file during an installation on Windows,
   setup.exe [-silent] -responseFile C:\OraInst\custom.rsp.
   Use -silent if you want full unattended installation. If you want the system to fill in default values, omit the -silent.

By default, the sys password will not be recorded, you will have to manually entered the values in the text file.

Automating Windows 2000/XP installation

Windows has a setupmgr which allows you to do unattended installation.

1. Insert the Windows CD
2. Browse /Support/Tools/Deploy.cab, extract the files
3. run the setupmgr.exe to answer a list of questions
4. After you answer all the required parameters, save the files as winnt.sif. you can view this text file.
5. Save these files on a floppy disk. (It is also possible t integrate it with Windows CD)
6. During installation, insert the floppy disk and the Windows CD. The windows will look for answer in the floppy disk for the parameters.
7. Ext

Unattended Installation links
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=308662
http://pubs.logicalexpressions.com/Pub0009/LPMArticle.asp?ID=258

Creating USB thumb drive boot disk
http://www.weethet.nl/english/hardware_bootfromusbstick.php
http://www.bootdisk.com