I want to install xp over the network to 10 pcs at a time using sysprep tools with in shortest possible time tell me all the steps as I am a beginner.

For this few number of PC's, it is much easier to setup a custom installation CD with the aid of the deployment tools. Create an ISO image of the Windows XP CD and then add your answer file to the I386 folder. The answer file is created using the deployment tools. The file name must be WINNT.SIF and be placed into the I386 folder. You may even add drivers to the CD to a folder created in the ISO file as $OEM$ with a subfolder named $1.

To deply Windows XP via the network, the network cards that are in your PC's must support network based startup as the PC will not have an operating system. So the network card must be able to run basic networking and acquire an IP address. It then connects to your installation server and receives the image (same as what you would create in the ISO file) and then installs via the network.

There is really not much of a difference for such a few number of machines except that a network distribution can accommodate tens or even hundreds of machines at a time. Then it is worth the additional work and cost.

When you create your ISO file for burning your custom CD, you should use the same Service Pack version tools for creating the unattended installation file. If you do not have a CD with Service Pack files already there, you can slipstream your SP into your non-SP installation CD and create a new distribution media with the SP included.

Note: SYSPREP is only required if you use imaging software such as Ghost. Ghost also has an Enterprise version (expensive) for deploying entire desktop images with all of the software installed. SYSPREP is used to wipe out the unique Computer Name, GUID and Kerberos machine keys prior to machine imaging for deployment.

Reference:
How To Perform an Unattended Installation of Windows from a CD-ROM (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/216258)
INFO: What Does the Winnt.sif File Do? (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/q216586/)
MSFN's Unattended Windows : Unattended Windows Introduction (http://unattended.msfn.org/unattended.xp/)