Where do you get a network client?

Is it free software or something you have to buy? I've been wanted to try installing XP over a network, but getting a machine set up to distribute the files is as far as I get.

KG

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bighornsheep

can you clarify your question?

A network client is a node in a network that communicates with another node for server connectivity where the point of control lies.

Trying to install Windows XP over a network relies on RIS, for more information refer to:
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/windows2000serv/deploy/depopt/remoteos.mspx

KGhaleon

I'm referring to a small program that you would put on, say, a floppy disk which you could use to point to the distribution server where the XP installation files are installed. It's mentioned in microsoft's 70-270 textbook as a "microsoft network client."

I'll read this RIS article and see if it's what I'm looking for.

KG

KGhaleon

I did find this:
http://www.ocf.berkeley.edu/~joyoung/msnetclnt/Page1.shtml

Not sure if that's really what I should be using though.

KG

royal

You need a network boot disk that supports the protocol you want. You will boot into a command prompt that will load a network card driver. Once you're in the command prompt enviornment with nic drivers loaded, you can go do the following:

1. cd \\server\share\i386\ (this depends on the file structure, but just make sure you get into the i386 folder. Also, note that Vista does not have an i386 directory, it uses setup.exe).
2. winnt.exe

I've never tried this network boot disk, but BartPE is pretty well known so i'm sure their network boot disk is pretty good as well.
http://www.nu2.nu/bootdisk/network/

KGhaleon

Funny, I can't seem to download anything off that website.

KG

malcybood

Hi,

I could be missing something here but do you not just want to add an XP workstation onto a network?

By network client do you mean the Client for Microsoft Networks? This is the Microsoft network client as I know it. You also get clients for unix and netware to allow an XP machine communicate to a novell or unix server over a network, but you are interested in the Client for Microsoft Networks. I suggest you try the following in XP:

Start - run - type control in the run box and press OK - Network connections - Local Area Connection - Properties

On the general tab under This connection uses the following items if Client for Microsoft Networks is not present then select

- install
- Select "Client" and click Add
- Manufacturer = Microsoft
- Network Client = Client for Microsoft Networks

This should allow you to add the PC to an existing domain or workgroup. you may need the Windows XP CD as you may be prompted to insert it when doing the above.

Regards

Malcolm

Sie

Bart PE Boot Disk Link you need (it is on the site icroyal mentioned)

http://www.nu2.nu/bootdisk/network/makedisk-old/

Which book are you using and where in the book is the passage you are reading?

Maybe someone will have it to clarify what you need?

ccnpninja

I have the same question about this network client.
Here is the passage where it is mentioned (taken from MS press "Installing, Configuring and Administering MS Win XP pro training kit") page 2-26:

Install a network client. A network client is software that allows the target computer
to connect to the distribution server. On a computer without an operating
system, you must boot from a client disk that includes a network client that
enables the target computer to connect to the distribution server.

Sie

It is refering to the ability of a client (workstation) to connect to a network.
(Like using a PXE NIC for example - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Preboot_Execution_Environment)

If you have a clean computer you need a way for this to connect to the server in question containing the image / files you want to use, to install the OS.

Are you talking about using networked sysprep image, a RIS server or dumping the contents of the i386 folder on a network share?

(See the technotes here for explanation of each - http://www.techexams.net/technotes/xp/installing.shtml)

[edit - added links]

ccnpninja

Maybe it is all of them at the same time

because the passage talks about network installations.