Automatic Installation System on USB Memory

Instructor:

Hai Vortman

Students:

Leeor Langer

Eyal Koren

Agenda

Introduction Project Requirements Technology Overview Design Implementation Future Development

Introduction What is the USB Automatic

Installation System? The fastest and easiest way to create

and upgrade a full working station set in minimum effort and time, using only a USB device.

Why use such a system? Saves hours of repetitive work. Simple interface-can be used by non-

experts. Supports various installation methods

and is easily expandable. USB HDD is a very suitable media

and can replace stacks of CD-ROMs.

Project Requirements

Removable Media as Data Source Dynamic system Flexible system Minimum user's interference GUI

Technology Overview

Essentials

Scripting

Graphics

Utilities

Application

Technology Overview - Essential Technologies

Unattended installation Quiet installation Windows Automated Installation Kit (WAIK) Windows Pre-Installation Environment

(WinPE) Used as a “launch pad" for GUI and environment. Lightweight version of MS operating systems. Operates from a RAM disk (after booting from USB).

Technology Overview –Utilities

DiskPart Command-line hard disk partitioning utility.

ImageX Image capture and deploy (HAL…).

Windows PE utility (Wpeutil) Command-line tool for WinPE operations.

Technology Overview –Scripting

VBScript Powerful and easy scripting language. Executes from our host environment (HTA). Good compatibility with MS components.

Windows Management Instrumentation Allows management information to be shared between

management applications. Provides a set of functions which can be utilized by

other scripting languages (VBScript). Windows Scripting Host

Automation technology with a great range of supported features.

Technology Overview -Application (HTA)

HTML syntax without security constraints. Supports files operations and Registry

entries. Supported by WinPE. No need for compilation.

Technology Overview - Graphics (CSS) Controls the presentation features. Separation of document content from the

document's presentation. Simplifies the code. Provides flexibility and control in

presentation characteristics.

General Design

WinPE – GUI Platform VBScript – GUI Engine HTA – GUI Structure Data Base – GUI Functionality CSS Graphics – GUI ‘look and feel’

GUI

WinPE

Unattended SW Data

Base

Scripting EnginesHTML

applicationCSS

Graphics

General Design

GUI AppVBScript WSH WMI HTA CSS

Custom WinPEPhysical Layer

Utils

DB

Detailed Design-Partitioner Example

Graphical Interface

Scripting

Utilities

Platform Essentials

To understand the complexity of SW technology integration, lets take for example the ‘Partitioning’ stage and see how it utilizes and interacts with the various technologies.

o Presents all graphical elements using CSS.

o Only one stage among others in the application.

o VBScript WMI queries for HD information. VBScript prepares temp scripts for Diskpart. Initiates Diskpart + scripts and refreshes the screen.

o DiskPart utility wrapper.o Prepares HD for installation and also

allows advanced partitioning options.

Design Flow

Basic system information and

instructions

User edits his partition preferences

Diskpart utility will make the wanted partitions.

Formatting will take place alongside installation.

OS Versions for user’s choice.According to the choice made in the previous stage, specific OS’ are offered.

In this stage, the user edits the unattended file which contains all predefined installation choices (name, password…)

All needed scripts for installation are initiated-Formatting, Data Base operations…

Installation initiation

Wpeutil reboot function is called.No unattended file needed.All needed scripts for installation are initiated-Formatting, Data Base operations…

Wpeutil reboot function is called.

Future Development

Set up an advanced networked deployment system in the Technion: Create a master

deployment image (using capture).

Deploy a complete lab or “computer farm” efficiently and quickly.

Automate the process for ease of use or integrate into other automation tools (WDS).

Backup – Data Base

OS for unattended installation Naming convention - "unattended" Unattended file

OS for Image deployment

The preferred installation method Image capture

Application addition example