|  | Remote Installation Services
One of the most efficient methods of deploying Windows XP Professional is to use the Remote Installation Services (RIS). RIS enables you to deploy Windows XP Professional to computers within an Active Directory™ directory service domain without user intervention, or with a set level of user intervention. RIS enables client computers to connect to a server during the initial startup phase and remotely install Windows XP Professional. Similar to fully automated installations that use answer files, a remote installation does not require users to know where the installation source files are stored or what information to supply during the Setup program. During the startup of a new computer that does not contain an operating system, the person at the computer presses the F12 key, which starts the remote installation process. Components and Function of RIS The remote installation process includes three primary components: RIS servers host the RIS service and distribute Windows XP Professional to client computers enabled for remote startup. RIS servers can be either domain controllers or member servers within a Windows 2000 domain. RIS client computers can connect to a RIS server upon startup to remotely install Windows XP Professional or run diagnostic and maintenance utilities. Images are the operating system configurations that can be downloaded and installed on client computers. RIS supports two types of images: CD-based images, which are images of the operating system only, and Remote Installation Preparation (RIPrep) images, which are images of the operating system and applications.