JSI Tip 8269. What operating systems can I deploy using ADS (Automated Deployment Services) or RIS (Remote Installation Services)?

When you use Windows Server 2003 Enterprise Edition, or Windows Server 2003 Datacenter Edition, to run ADS, you can deploy:

Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition 
Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition 
Windows 2000 Server 
Windows 2000 Advanced Server

When you use a Windows 2000 Server running RIS, you can deploy:

Windows XP Professional
Windows 2000 Professional
Windows 2000 Server
Windows 2000 Advanced Server

NOTE: It is recommended that you use a Windows Server 2003 computer running RIS to deploy Windows XP Professional. Otherwise, install the 2 updates discussed at How to deploy Windows XP images from Windows 2000 RIS servers.

NOTE: To deploy Windows 2000 Server or Windows 2000 Advanced Server, you must apply the the hotfix described in Unable to create Windows 2000 Server image on RIS server.

NOTE: Windows 2000 Server images must be created with Risetup.exe, Riprep.exe images are NOT supported.

When you use a Windows Server 2003 computer running RIS you can deploy:

Windows Server 2003, Web Edition 
Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition 
Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition 
Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition for 64-bit itanium-based systems
Windows Server 2003, Datacenter Edition 
Windows Server 2003, Datacenter Edition for 64-bit itanium-based systems 
Windows XP 64-Bit Edition Version 2003 
Windows XP Professional 
Windows 2000 Professional (SP3 and later) 
Windows 2000 Server (SP3 and later) 
Windows 2000 Advanced Server (SP3 and later)

Additional Information:

Automated Deployment Services.

Remote Installation Services.

Comparing ADS and RIS.