Systems Management

I understand that the reason why the Windows NT 4.0 Server CD is required is because of networking redistributables or components required. This information was picked up from the LANDesk forum. I still don't understand what networking components or redistributables are required from the the cd!

Setup is looking for a Windows NT 4 Server CD so it may obtain files from the \CLIENTS\MSCLIENT\DISKS directory (see my review) so they can create what is virtually a "boot floppy" - this is not uncommon.

Some vendors ask for a Windows 9x CD for the same reason. Microsoft does not allow distribution of these files so you need to provide the disk yourself so they can suck them off. In my view this is a what I would call questionbly legal. For example, Altiris asks for a Windows 95 or Windows 98 CD so it can obtian boot files which you then deploy to each system on your network. Now, these files are not redistributable (or they would not have had to ask for the CD) yet, you are placing them on systems for which you did not purchase them. For a customer I worked with once, I went so far as to call Microsoft and ask if I needed these files on a system, did that constitute a distribution that would require a license- and they told me "yes".

Anyway- they need the CD in order to get Microsoft files normally used to create a boot floppy so they can do their own "bootable" stuff with it.