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How can I set hostnames and join a domain automatically?

We have win2k8 virtualized in Xen Server running the domain "lab.local" along with 45 Windows XP Pro VM's that are all the same (all made from one golden template in xenserver then deployed 45 times over). We would like to have these systems automatically hostnamed from host00001-host00045 and then joined to the domain "lab.local". I've been reading some various pieces on the internet, but coding is not my strongest point. I'm learning slowly, but I'd appreciate some help from my fellow EE members that are much smarter than me in this sort of thing :).

It would be nice if this setup could also work for Windows 7 as we're not sure yet which route we are going to take the final setup to.

Thank you very much!

Carl Webster

What edition of XenServer do you have? Your edition may include the use of Provisioning services. if so, PVS can handle this with no issues.

Casey Weaver

ASKER

@CarlWebster, it's just XenServer, not XenDesktop. Only the free tools are being used in this exercise. It's a strict showing of what can be done in our current situation as we slowly push towards complete open source.

Carl Webster

PVS does not require XenDesktop. But if you are going open source, then no PVS for you! :)

Casey Weaver

ASKER

PVS certainly looks interesting, but I can't find any information on it from Citrix other than the download and the installation/configuration guide. The only place it talks about licensing that I can find is in the installation guide and from there I can't tell if it's free to use or not. It doesn't have to be open source, but the budget isn't there for thousands in licensing costs.

Carl Webster

I THINK PVS will work as it does not "require" a separate license (like XenServer non-free, XenApp or XenDesktop) but you will be in violation of the licensing terms if you use it without the appropriate XenApp/XenServer/XenDesktop licenses.

Casey Weaver

ASKER

I've been trying to make it work but so far no cake. I'll be trying that and a sysprep script hopefully tonight. Still looking for suggestions!

ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION

Casey Weaver

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