I'm working on setting up Windows Deployment Services on a Windows Server 2003 machine. In my exploration of the various options for configuring this system, I wanted to learn the difference between known and unknow client computers. As I understand it, a known client computer has already had an account added to the domain for that computer, while an unknown does not yet have an account added.
Exploring then how machine accounts are added to the domain before the machine itself connects to that domain, I come upon the concept of a managed versus an unmanaged machine. So far as I can tell, a managed machine must have a GUID set up in the BIOS somewhere while an unmanaged machine does not need this GUID. But I fail to find any reference to what other differences there are between a managed machine and an unmanaged one.
What are the benefits and/or differences of an unmanaged versus a managed machine on an Active Directory Domain?
Best Answer
A "managed" computer is known to WDS, and follows the policies and configuration set up for known computers. An "unmanaged" computer is a member of the AD domain, but not known to WDS, so when PXE-booting to WDS, it follows policies for a new / unknown client.