I am trying to setup a server to install operating systems on clients over the network. I would like to have a single server to install linux, windows xp and mac os X over the network.

I have some questions:
1)How can I install win xp from a server running linux? I think RIS-linux might do it, but then, can I use the same server for installing linux and mac os X?

2) Can win xp be installed over the network using anything other than RIS? For example, using NFS or HTTP?

3)My server does not necessarily have to run linux. Do you think a windows 2003 server or mac os X server could install ALL 3 operating systems over the network? (I would prefer to run linux on the server, though)

Any ideas how this could be done?

To be honest, I was not even aware it was possible to do a network install of Windows XP. Besides imaging the drive, anyway. We aren't talking about that right?

You should be able to do a net install of Linux no matter what OS the server has. The net installer is either going to use FTP or NFS, both of which can be setup on any OS you like (though I am not sure how great the Windows NFS server is).

OSX, being a sane Unix OS, should probably be equally adaptable. But somebody who actually has some OSX experience would have to comment more on that...I have only installed it once.

I am also looking at doing this, for a classroom environment, with 25 workstations and 2 different servers (2 different instructors, thus each has their own server). I am planning on setting up Fedora as the server, having Fedora, Windows 2003 Server, Windows XP, Windows 2000, Windows 98, Novell on the RIS server.
The tough part is getting it all working, thus if anyone has comments on this would be great.
Looks like may be PXE Linux, Samba, TFTP, etc.

Yes, even I want to implement something like this. Gurus, please reply!

I can use windows 2003 RIS to remote install CentOS and some other new version of linux OSs.



If you need any information of that, pm me.

Right now i am trying to implement unattended setup for linux setup throught Windows RIS

I am already doing that, was a matter of configuring the sif files. if you have sif files for the various os' that would help.

I am thinking on useing linux on my computer due to hackers for security reasons would like to keep my high speed internet but unless i can change from windows to linux i may be forced to go back to dialup help? can you tell me what programs work with linux and what will not and if their is another i can get these answers direct in that path way- miss ang

Do you know any other OS can use this method for installation? I personally tested FC6 in some of the computers, and some work, some do not because of the video card compatibility.

for your video card, is a matter of getting the driver files located in the correct spot.

There is a new version of clonezilla out today, I haven't updated yet but, the old version does network installs very nicely.
http://clonezilla.sourceforge.net/

I finally managed to get some parts working...

http://wiki.cdyne.com/index.php/PXE_..._Microsoft_RIS was adapted to my needs.

Still trying to get a Mac OS X netinstall from the same server working - at least for intel macs.

Thanks a lot for your help!

yes, cdyne works well. i do not want to have to 'clone' an image exactly, i wanted the students to go through the process of setting up the system. Fedora Core 6 works well for this installation from RIS, now I want to set it up the other way, from Linux out to Windows, etc.