No DHCP? No Problem
In this scenario, you have a computer with static IP Address assignments that you wish to maintain during a REFRESH.
There’s a Task Sequence step called Capture Network Settings. This runs the script ZTINICConfig.wsf that can capture network settings and store them in the Variables.dat file.
There are 2 switches of use here in the ZTINICConfig.wsf script. (From the manual)
/ForceCapture – If there are any local networking adapters with static IP addresses saved, this script captures those settings and saves them to the local environment—for example, C:\MININT\SMSOSD\OSDLogs\Variables.dat. This script can be useful in capturing static IP settings for a large number of computers for automation.
/RestoreWithinWinPE – When specified, applies any saved static IP network settings to the local computer, when appropriate; used for internal processing only.
Use both switches to capture adapter settings in a refresh.
Scriptimus Ex Machina 
is there a similar way to maintain the same computer name? I currently use a custom script to capture the name and set OSDComputerName
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Select your Task Sequence | OS Info Tab | Edit Unattend.xml | 4 specialize — add component Microsoft-Windows-Shell-Setup_neutral. Then select Computername and type there %MACHINENAME%.
Save xml, refresh deployment share and try 🙂
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nevermind, I tried without the userexit and the default value in a refresh scenario is the old computername
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Nice going mate.
That’s how I learn, just keep doing and testing.
/Andrew
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is there a way to have a litetouchpe USB key with a static ip address?
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Sorry, i found :
Thank you
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Ok, assuming that does “Capture” the settings, how do you “Apply” them to the new install? Because “Apply Network Settings” doesn’t work.
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The Apply Network Settings Task Sequence step will apply the IP.
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It doesn’t. I end up with this error in the log…
-![LOG[WMI Function: Adapter.EnableStatic(IPAddress,SubnetMask) FAILURE: -2147180508 Unknown Error: -2147180508]LOG]!–time=”14:01:40.000+000″ date=”07-25-2013″ component=”ZTINICConfig” context=”” type=”2″ thread=”” file=”ZTINICConfig”-
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Do you have multiple static IP addresses on multiple adapters on the source machine?
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Not exactly. The machine I tested it on is a laptop, Latitude D630. The hard nic is static, the wireless nic is either DHCP or disabled, I don’t remember which. I haven’t tested it on a desktop yet because the 100 machines I will end up running this process on is a mix of both. Once this problem is resolved, I’ll run the test again on a desktop, but I need both to work.
The whole process runs amazingly well from a thumb drive, except for setting the IPs. All desktops will have one nic set static, the laptops will have the hard nic set static and the wireless will either be DHCP or turned off.
If we can get this resolved, I’ll be golden.
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Do you think I’d have to modify the script to include the second nic variables like you listed in:
…even if the wireless nic isn’t being used? (Which I’m sure its not)
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Not unless you’re setting the 2nd card. Zip up and send me the logs.
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I’ll need somewhere to send it. PM me on twitter – gettps
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My email is on my contacts page above.
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Another trick I like to use to imitate static IP’s, which would also prevent this issue, is to create a DHCP reservation for the computer that you want to have a static IP. The benefits are centralized management of your static IP space combined with the flexibility and features of DHCP.
I haven’t found any drawbacks… yet?
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