If you ever deployed any OS image in your network enviroment to multiple PCs you already know the drill. Prepare the image, add all the required programs and software, install security patches... configure everything! Then make image of it using software like Ghost and
clone it on dozens of machines. And here comes the most mundane task of all-
Log on all the machines, manually rename them in compliance with any conventions you have in your company, reboot, log in again, add to active directory, fill in domain credentials and reboot. So this simple utility was developed because I was tired of the steps that had to be done after cloning.
-> Version 0.47: New features:
-> Improved logging capabilities, log is now more detailed than ever.
Version 0.45.5: New features:
After asigning computer to correct domain program executes WsusIdReset.cmd to generate new ID for windows update. This solves vanishing PC entries from WSUS server console.
Install script now works from any location including UNC path, no need to modify it.
Version 0.45.1: New features:
WORKS WITH WINDOWS 7 and multiple LAN adapters
Nethosts.csv can be now placed to a network share so you can dynamically add new PCs without editing your image !!!
There is no longer need to add all MAC addresses to nethosts.csv if your PC has multiple LAN adapters, you only need to add one per machine !!!
Program now creates runlog.log file so it's easier to analyse it's behavior !!!
Various other small optimizations...
Program consists of the program itself (admanag.exe), config file (settings.ini), hosts file containing MAC adresses and desired names (nethosts.csv) setup and remove scripts (setup.cmd & uninstall.cmd) and uses netdom.exe and netdom.exe.mui files that must be copied and renamed into "Netdom" folder and must replace example files (you can find them in your windows installation).
After running setup.cmd program copies itself into %systemdrive%\admanag and schedule itself to run on start before user logon (with system credentials).
After you reboot your PC on next startup program compares MAC adress of your network adapter with hosts file and if match is found it compares current PC name with desired name from file. If names match and PC is in correct domain (case 0) program quits itself. If PC is in incorrect domain program joins it into correct domain (case 1) and reboots. If names don't match (case 2) program renames PC and rebots, after reboot program joins PC into correct domain (case 1) and reboot. Further changes in behavior can be made in settings.ini. In each case custom command can be executed.
Program was tested under Windows XP and Windows 7 32 and 64 bit, but should also work under Vista and 2000, as long as correct netdom files are provided.
Program has no UI, since it doesn't need one.
Settings.ini contains some self-explaining values. Account specified in settings.ini should exist on DC and belong only to Account Operators group.
If using feature allowing download of nethosts.csv from network share you must place it to a shared directory on your server and allow account specified in settings.ini read access to the file.
With default settings program will uninstall/remove itself from a PC after it determines that computer has a correct name and is in correct domain, this can be changed by editing settings.ini.
Installation:
1.-> settings.ini MUST be customized with your domain preferences, at least [DOMAIN][USER][PASSWORD] and [REMOTE_PATH] fields. Don't forget to set inactive switch to 0 before deployment...
2.-> nethosts.csv MUST be filled with pairs "MAC_ADDR","PC_NAME" according to example NETHOSTS.CSV file. These can be exported from DHCP server, database or keyed in directly.
Avoid network names containing special characters for instance -(minus) sign. According Best practices, Computer name should contain only letters (A-Z), numbers (0-9) points(.) and underscores(_).
3.->Blank example files in "Netdom" folder MUST be replaced with correct (32/64bit) netdom.exe and .mui files for correct OS type you plan to install this program on.
Netdom.exe and MUI can be obtained from your win instalation or Windows Server 2003 Resource kit (for WinXP). For Windows 7 you can obtain netdom from Remote Server Administration Tools (RSAT) for Windows 7.
After above finished, copy source folder to local HDD and run setup.cmd WITH ADMIN RIGHTS! (Run as Administrator).
Imaging MUST be done while computer name is DIFFERENT than one of desired names after imaging and when not in a domain (join WORKGROUP) called DIFFERENTLY than your domain!!!, then shut down and image.
You will avoid conflicts with network names when computers are first powered on this way and other unexpected behavior.
After that you can shut down your PC and start cloning process.
If you have computer accounts with same names on your DC (reimaging of current machines) you should delete them before starting imaged PCs. You will avoid conflicts with DNS updates of machine entries.
If you want to contact me, ask me a question, have a good idea for a new feature, please mail me at mshimmy[AT_SIGN]gmail.com (english or slovak ONLY)
If this simple program made your life easier and you liked it, RATE IT! Also simple Thank You e-mail does a lot !
Martin Simko
