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
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.
This chapter contains the following sections: