In Microsoft Windows system administration, a Uniqueness Database File (UDF) is a text file utilized by administrators to supply unique information specific to each computer or user. This functionality is particularly important when deploying operating systems like Windows XP Professional to multiple client computers that require varied setup configurations.
The primary purpose of a UDF is to automate and streamline the deployment process of Windows operating systems by allowing administrators to specify unique parameters for each target computer or user. This is achieved by pairing the UDF with a single answer file, typically named unattend.txt or sysprep.inf.[1] The answer file contains the general settings for the deployment, while the UDF overrides these settings with unique values where necessary.
When deploying Windows XP Professional across multiple computers, the deployment tool reads the answer file to apply the standard configuration settings. Simultaneously, it references the UDF to insert unique values such as computer names, IP addresses, and user-specific settings.[2] This dual-file approach ensures consistency in deployment while catering to individual customization needs.
[UniqueIDs]
PC001=UserData
PC002=UserData
[PC001:UserData]
ComputerName=COMPUTER1
FullName="John Doe"
OrgName="Example Corp"
ProductKey=XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX
[PC002:UserData]
ComputerName=COMPUTER2
FullName="Jane Smith"
OrgName="Example Corp"
ProductKey=XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX
In this example, PC001 and PC002 represent unique identifiers for two computers. The sections [PC001:UserData] and [PC002:UserData] provide specific settings for each machine.