User Guide

Automating the NetWare Installation with a Response File 25
Other Installation Options
103-000143-001
August 30, 2001
Novell Confidential
Manual 99a38 July 17, 2001
2 Automating the NetWare Installation
with a Response File
Installing the NetWare
®
operating system software can be easier and more
flexible when you use a response file. When used with the graphical server
installation, a response file lets you
Set and display specific defaults
Bypass entire sections of the installation
Automate the entire server installation process
A response file is a text file containing sections and keys (similar to a
Windows .INI file). You can create a response file using any ASCII editor.
If you use a response file, the NetWare server installation reads the installation
parameters directly from the response file, replacing the default installation
values with response file values. The installation program accepts the values
as they appear and continues to the next installation screen. Because the
installation program gets all the required information from the response file,
you can even skip the entire sequence of installation screens.
Using a response file to install NetWare can be very useful to a variety of
customers and vendors. Novell
®
customers who have established server
hardware standards in their enterprise can use the response file to rapidly
deploy multiple NetWare servers. They will also find the response file useful
for preconfiguring some of the NetWare installation, while leaving other
parameters to the local administrator. Resellers and OEMs will find the
response file useful for pre-installing NetWare prior to shipping a server to
their customers.