Microsoft OEM Partner Center

Windows Server 2008 Deployment for System Builders

System builders can preinstall the Windows Server 2008 operating system with the same Windows OEM Preinstallation Kit (OPK) or the Windows Automated Installation Kit (AIK) that is used to customize and deploy the Windows Vista operating system:

The Windows OPK is for OEMs and system builders and provides specific information, including:
- OEM licensing requirements.
- OEM policy guidelines.
The Windows AIK is for the corporate deployment of Windows Vista.

Both products contain the same suite of tools.

Download the Windows OPK.
Learn more about the Windows OPK.

Deploying Windows Server 2008 All Windows Vista deployment methods apply to deploying Windows Server 2008. See a complete step-by-step guide on Windows Vista deployment.

To learn how to automate your deployment of Windows Server 2008 by using an answer file, download the Automating the Deployment of Windows Server 2008 white paper.

Updated Windows Server 2008 OPK Documentation This documentation release is an English-only update and includes revised content that addresses the following:

Known issues
Workarounds
Information from published addenda to the OPK

Download the Automating the Deployment of Windows Server 2008 white paper.

Support Resources

How to Perform Common Windows Server 2008 Deployment Tasks
This Web site contains procedures for performing common tasks using Windows Deployment Services management tools.

Networking
This collection contains detailed information about networking products and features for the IT professional to design, deploy, and maintain Windows Server 2008.

Additional System Builder OPKs

OEM Preinstallation Kits are available for many Microsoft technologies, including:

Operating systems
Servers
Windows Services
Other Microsoft products

For additional information, see Microsoft OEM Preinstallation Kits.