Re: ZTI: Understanding computername configuration

Geoffrey Chollar wrote:
Hello,
If you need to use a specific naming convention that is noy dynamic, then the AdminDB is the best way to go. Once you have the AdminDB setup, you need to populate a CSV file with all of the correct info and then update the AdminDB through it's GUI. There are sample CSV files within the AdminDB in a folder named CSV. These should get you going.

With that being said, I have always personally preferred to use a dynamic name based on one of the variables that is available within the customsettings.ini. For example, if you wanted all of your pc's named based on serial number you would just add an entry in your customsettings.ini saying ComputerName=%SerialNumber% . There are a number of variables available and you can tailor these to your liking. For example the last ZTI environment I setup had a W for workstations and a L for laptops and the last 8 characters of the serial number. This was achieved by making entries in the bytype sections of the ZTI:

[ByType]
Subsection=Laptop-%IsLaptop%
Subsection=Desktop-%IsDesktop%

[Laptop--1]
ComputerName=L#Right("%SerialNumber%",8)#

[Laptop-0]
ComputerName=W#Right("%SerialNumber%",8)#

[Desktop--1]
ComputerName=W#Right("%SerialNumber%",8)#

[Desktop-0]
ComputerName=L#Right("%SerialNumber%",8)#

Hopefully I have helped a little, let me know if you have any further questions.

- Geoff

"Johan Arwidmark" wrote:

Be default BDD is configured to read the computer name from
customsettings.ini or the bddadmincore table.

If you want zti to automatically generate computer names instead there
is a sample stored procedure (identifycomputer) that does this.


regards

Johan Arwidmark
Microsoft MVP - Setup/Deployment


On 6 Jul 2006 06:28:17 -0700, "JRTek7" <GLTek7@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:

Hello group,

I tried to search on this matter before posting, but couldn't find a
clear concise answer. I'm new to ZTI, so please forgive my ignorance
in advance. I've been working with OSD for a while now, so I decided
to give ZTI a try. I've have ZTI up and running (somewhat), however
I'm confused about the computername configuration.

We have a standard naming convention for our workstations and servers,
and using OSD (installation CD) gives the ability to provide a
computername prior to installation, however this doesn't seem possible
with ZTI...or at least I'm not sure how to configure this.

I understand you can specify the OSDNEWMACHINENAME in
customsettings.ini, but this setting seems to be tailored towards "one"
machine. I've read several post referencing the AdminDB. Is using the
database the only way to achieve this? If so...and this may sound like
a dumb question...but how exactly do you use the database? I tried
using the confusing ZTI AdminDB GUI interface, however I don't see a
way to enter data...

Please advise and TIA

Thank you for the reply and good information Geoff. Look at the ZTI logic you posted, I was wondering if you could configure the computername with more than one variable. Could something like this work?

Laptop Prefix - LVA
Model - Latitude D400
Serial - ABC123

Computername=LVA#Right("%Model%",4)#-%serialnumber% (notice the dash -)

Result = LVAD400-ABC123

.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: ZTI: Understanding computername configuration
    ... If you need to use a specific naming convention that is noy dynamic, ... Once you have the AdminDB setup, ... For example the last ZTI ... I'm confused about the computername configuration. ...
    (microsoft.public.sms.tools)
  • Re: ZTI: Understanding computername configuration
    ... If you need to use a specific naming convention that is noy dynamic, ... Once you have the AdminDB setup, ... For example the last ZTI ... I'm confused about the computername configuration. ...
    (microsoft.public.sms.tools)
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