Configure a Windows PC as network appliance w/o monitor, keyboard and mouse

Posted by Joshua Lim on Super User See other posts from Super User or by Joshua Lim
Published on 2011-11-15T17:16:06Z Indexed on 2011/11/15 17:55 UTC
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Windows

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networking

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appliance

I intend to use a small form factor PC with Windows 7 Professional installed as a network appliance attached directly to my customer's LAN without connecting a monitor, keyboard or mouse.

How should I configure the networking for my PC so that I can access it via say my laptop?

I figure that I can do it 2 ways.

Attach my laptop to the PC using a crossover cable? Connect via RDP and configure networking.
Configure an IP address on the PC before I deliver it to the customer place. At the customer's place, attach the PC to LAN and connect to the IP address which I previously configured from my laptop or from one of the customer's workstations.

I know the first way is doable, but is the second way possible? I'm sorry if this question sounds ridiculous - I am Delphi programmer but a novice on networking.

Finally, if possible, I hope to make the configuration process web based as I wouldn't like to reveal the fact that I am using Win7 Pro for the network appliance!

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