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Operating System Deployment with System Center Configuration Manager 2012 Beta

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This article is cross posted from my original post on PTS Official Blog

A few days back, I configured OS deployment in System Center 2012 Configuration Manager Beta 2 to deploy a Windows 7 Image, which I had captured using Configuration Manager 2007. It was all in a Hyper-V environment so no drivers were to be included in this scenario.  I wanted to share an illustrated walkthrough of the process.

A high level overview of the steps taken in Configuration Manager 2012

  1. Added a WDS role on my Configuration Manager site server
  2. Added a DHCP scope on my Domain Controller
  3. Enabled a PXE service point on my Distribution Point under Configuration Manager 2012 site systems
  4. Enabled Unknown computer support
  5. Distributed both x86 and x64 Boot images to the Distribution Point
  6. In Boot file properties, under Data Source tab checked the option : "Deploy this boot image from the PXE service point "
  7. Added an OS Image for Windows 7 and distributed it to the distribution point
  8. Created a task sequence to deploy the OS image using x64 boot image, after formatting the disk
  9. Assigned the task sequence to a Collection, under device collections.

Step 1 : Add a WDS Role

The Windows Deployment Services role is required on the server where we'll have a distribution point with PXE service enabled.

A few days back, I configured OS deployment in System Center 2012 Configuration Manager Beta 2 to deploy a Windows 7 Image, which I had captured using Configuration Manager 2007. It was all in a Hyper-V environment so no drivers were to be included in this scenario.  I wanted to share an illustrated walkthrough of the process.

A high level overview of the steps taken in Configuration Manager 2012

  1. Added a WDS role on my Configuration Manager site server
  2. Added a DHCP scope on my Domain Controller
  3. Enabled a PXE service point on my Distribution Point under Configuration Manager 2012 site systems
  4. Enabled Unknown computer support
  5. Distributed both x86 and x64 Boot images to the Distribution Point
  6. In Boot file properties, under Data Source tab checked the option : "Deploy this boot image from the PXE service point "
  7. Added an OS Image for Windows 7 and distributed it to the distribution point
  8. Created a task sequence to deploy the OS image using x64 boot image, after formatting the disk
  9. Assigned the task sequence to a Collection, under device collections.

Step 1 : Add a WDS Role

The Windows Deployment Services role is required on the server where we'll have a distribution point with PXE service enabled.

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Step 2: Add a DHCP scope in the network segment where you plan to deploy OS images using network boot.

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Step 3: Enable PXE service point on the distribution point

a. Under Administration workspace, go to properties of Distribution Point Role

b. Go to PXE tab and enable PXE service point (circled in picture below)

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Step 4: Enable Unknown Computer support

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Step 5: Distribute Boot images to the Distribution Point

a. Under Software Library workspace, go to Operating Systems and click on Boot Images

b. Right click on a boot image and select Distribute Content option

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c. Click Next on the first page of the wizard

d. On the Content Destination page, click on Add button and select either Distribution Point or Distribution Point Group

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e. Select the Distribution Point group or Distribution Point and follow the rest of the wizard

f. Follow the same process for the other boot image as well.

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Step 6: Set boot image properties

a. Right click on the boot image and select Properties.

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b. Go to Data Source tab and select "Deploy this boot image from the PXE service point"

c. Click OK and follow the same process for the other boot image as well.

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Step 7: Added an OS Image and distributed it to the distribution point

a. Under Software Library workspace, go to Operating Systems and right click on Operating System Images

b. Select "Add Operating System Image

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c. Locate the OS image file ( .wim extension) on the network and follow the rest of the Wizard providing name and other information

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Step 8: Create a Task Sequence

a. Under Software Library > Operating System, right click on Task Sequences and select 'Create Task Sequence' option

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b. Select the option to include existing image package and follow the wizard which is similar as in Configuration Manager 2007.

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Step 9: Assigned the task sequence to a Collection, under device collections

a. Right click on the desired Task Sequence and select Deploy

b. Select the collection where you need to target the image deployment. For fresh machines you can either choose Unknown computers, OR if you have imported computer information in a separate collection, you can target that.

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Comments

  • Anonymous
    January 01, 2003
    This was really helpful. Thanks!