Running with SBS – I have the Answerfile

Jaburges — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 23:06:00 GMT

Problem 1 getting SBS running in a test and dev environment….

The solution, using an 8Gb shuttle we set up SBS in a Virtual Machine on Windows Server 2008 (with hyper-V enabled). The set up of SBS is unbelievably simple, a complete guide all the way through. I'm not going to touch on the actual installation process as the infamous David Overton has detailed the process:

http://uksbsguy.com/blogs/doverton/archive/2008/05/29/sbs-2008-install-process.aspx

With SBS installed we needed to run the Connect To the Internet Wizard (CTIW), and get the updates. Not so easy on the corporate network and lacking in a physical router.... so with a bit of help from Virualboy :) a VM was created with Windows Server 2003 acting as a RRAS. Job done….Internet up and running and time for some clients. (If there is enough interest I’ll post a guide for the ‘virtual router’)

We created 2 Vista clients and an XP Client. Connected one Vista to the SBS Box, http://connect/, and left the other unconnected. The XP client had a static IP outside the scope of the SBS box so was in a different subnet, which allowed the simulation of remote access and could access "companyweb remote login".

Taking the process one stage further I looked into the use of the Answerfile. This, if your not aware is a file that contains all of the editable options of the SBS Out-Of-Box-Experience installation process in one page. You can then put the answer file on the root of a USB stick or the Server and the installation can be carried out unattended. HOWEVER, there is a problem in the virtual environment.....USB sticks on the physical box can't be seen on the Virtual Machine unless they are left offline, and then you can't see them on the physical box. Getting the Answerfile on the root of the server is also going to be tricky.

So solution…I created a Virtual Floppy Disk .vfd file, and injected the answer file into that. This can then be mounted in the VM and away you go. Answerfile is automatically detected and instead of getting the OOBE it simply carries the install for you, with the settings you specified in the answer file generator (for those of you that don’t know this is on the SBS DVD ROOT\tools\SBSAfg.exe )

There is another way however……. using a.vhd reader you can look into the offline Virtual Hard Drive and inject the file onto the root of the server there. However this will only be able to be used once a partition is created and formatted on the VM, (most likely after the initial install process and a root drive exists) so you wont be able to open a “Blank VM” and simply inject the necessary files onto it. So the floppy option seems easier for now. Next I am going to play with the OPK and get a fully unattended install running. Until then….

Hit the ground running : Virual SBS

Running with SBS – I have the Answerfile