My Network Boot Setup - WDS and Syslinux - Inst Windows in mins + boot CDs over LAN

[crashtech]

Been having great fun with this, Thanks FoolishTech!

Now I need to integrate an unattended install into this method, if it's possible.

[cyabro]

Anyone know if it is possible to add the WD and Seagate Acronis versions to the menu and boot to them?

[TLE]

Originally Posted by cyabro

Anyone know if it is possible to add the WD and Seagate Acronis versions to the menu and boot to them?

I have my Acronis Boot CD running via WDS and SysLinux and it works great.

[cyabro]

Originally Posted by TLE

I have my Acronis Boot CD running via WDS and SysLinux and it works great.

Is that a bought/paid for Acronis?

I have my ShadowProtect IT Edition booting from the WDS server fine as that was easy. Just created another boot image and used the .wim file from the USB stick, done. Still need to run the license server though.

I want to know if it's possible to do the same with the WD or Seagate Acronis versions, they seem to be different to the bought versions.

[TLE]

Originally Posted by cyabro

Is that a bought/paid for Acronis?

I have my ShadowProtect IT Edition booting from the WDS server fine as that was easy. Just created another boot image and used the .wim file from the USB stick, done. Still need to run the license server though.

I want to know if it's possible to do the same with the WD or Seagate Acronis versions, they seem to be different to the bought versions.

It is indeed a bought and paid for Acronis Boot CD. Not sure about the free version from WD, as I don't think it is supposed to be used in a business enviroment as it will go against the EULA. You'll need to check that out.

[Spartan PC Services]

Awesome guide, can't wait for some spare time to try this out.

[Eric_whitbypc]

I think this is a great idea, i've not implimented the linux menu but it got me thinking about using WDS as its a good few years since i last used it!
Its exactly what i've been looking for over the last couple of years, its much better (in our environment) than trying to clone drives / images to get systems set up with 100+ updates (xp& vista)
I've been testing this morning and with XP (home/ pro) with all updates, software pack etc installed i'm deploying to an old p4 laptop in under 15mins! Thats brilliant considering building the image on the same machine with all the updates etc took about 4 hours!
Thanks for the guide!

[markcuk11]

I have just got this going with sbs2011. had to manually inject a driver pack into the boot.wim has the wizard kept crashing.

one thing before i do the syslinux is it easy to go back to the normal booting option ie

if i run these commands can i undo them?

Next we tell WDS to boot to Syslinux.

Server 2008 R2 and above, open an administrator command prompt, and paste in the following commands:
wdsutil /set-server /bootprogram:boot\x86\pxelinux.com /architecture:x86
wdsutil /set-server /bootprogram:boot\x64\pxelinux.com /architecture:x64
wdsutil /set-server /N12bootprogram:boot\x86\pxelinux.com /architecture:x86
wdsutil /set-server /N12bootprogram:boot\x64\pxelinux.com /architecture:x64

cheers

Mark

[jbartlett323]

Originally Posted by markcuk11

I have just got this going with sbs2011. had to manually inject a driver pack into the boot.wim has the wizard kept crashing.

one thing before i do the syslinux is it easy to go back to the normal booting option ie

if i run these commands can i undo them?

Next we tell WDS to boot to Syslinux.

Server 2008 R2 and above, open an administrator command prompt, and paste in the following commands:
wdsutil /set-server /bootprogram:boot\x86\pxelinux.com /architecture:x86
wdsutil /set-server /bootprogram:boot\x64\pxelinux.com /architecture:x64
wdsutil /set-server /N12bootprogram:boot\x86\pxelinux.com /architecture:x86
wdsutil /set-server /N12bootprogram:boot\x64\pxelinux.com /architecture:x64

cheers

Mark

Definitely by removing and reinstalling WDS... pretty sure you can run the same command and just point it at the original PXE boot file too, but dont quote me on that, i removed and reinstalled!

[markcuk11]

thanks for the reply but i think i found the answer

These are the default boot programs:

wdsutil /set-server /bootprogram:boot\x86\pxeboot.com /architecture:x86
wdsutil /set-server /N12bootprogram:boot\x86\pxeboot.n12 /architecture:x86
wdsutil /set-server /bootprogram:boot\x64\pxeboot.com /architecture:x64
wdsutil /set-server /N12bootprogram:boot\x64\pxeboot.n12 /architecture:x64

found from here http://social.technet.microsoft.com/...9-818f2fbefe38