I would like to have sysprep make a call out to a server somewhere (SCCM, MDT, etc) that provides an answer during bootup to get the computer name and IP address to use. Any pointers on which technology or method to use?
Further info: I want to be able to create a base golden image on a VHD and sysprep it so that it powers down. Then differencing disks will point to this sleeping sysprepped image. However, while booting up each new vm, I want a way to set the computer name and IP uniquely, preferably by MAC address.
I can mount the VHD and edit unattend.xml before powering on, but it appears that unattend.xml has already been run on the previous shutdown and isn't used on boot-up.
My failback plan is to have a script run after booting up that will rename it, set the IP and reboot. However, I would like to avoid that extra reboot if at all possible.
Best Answer
Look into MDT 2010. It has builting functionality to boot into WinPE and Query a SQL Database (based on the computers Mac address) for pretty much anything you want and populating this into unattend.xml before the install runs. Lots of options. Takes a little while to get the hang of it, but it's pretty logical. IP Address specifiation was a bit troublesome in the last version of MDT, but in 2010 you can add your own columns to the database and perform queries on these as well. you MIGHT have to create your own script for setting the IP address, but it shouldn't be too much work finding a vb script that lets you do it - at least if your computers only have one NIC - google is your friend.
best regards, Trond