WDS Chapter 1 - Overview and Preparation

Windows Deployment Services (WDS)

Related chapters
WDS Chapter 1 - Overview and Preparation

WDS Chapter 2 - Configure WDS

WDS Chapter 3 - Add Boot and Install Images

WDS Chapter 4 - Deploy Windows 10 from WDS

WDS Chapter 5 - Prepare a Reference PC for Capture

WDS Chapter 6 - Configure WDS for Capturing a Reference Image

WDS Chapter 7 - Start Unattended Deployment

0. Overview

0-1. What is Windows Deployment Servies (WDS)

We used to use a CD or USB to install a PC. But this approach is unable to complete a task which needs to implement a lot of PCs such as 100 or more in a short time. So WDS is a powerful tool to help us to complete this job. Certainly, MDT or SCCM are much powerful than WDS now. The SCCM uses the same technique as WDS does. In this Chapter, we are going to practice the basic deployment tool WDS.

There are 2 very important .wim files work within WDS.

• Boot.wim: prepare the machine for installation. It handles the questions about the setting below while installing computers.

1. Language
2. CD key
3. License agreement
4. Location
5. Time

• Install.wim: include all versions in one CD/DVD, such as Win 8.1 pro and Win 8.1 home in one Win 8.1 DVD. or Win 10 Pro and Win 10 Home and Win Education in one Win 10 DVD

0-2. What needs to be aware in WDS  

WDS doesn't do ZERO touch.  In Zero Touch, client PC can be off with PXE network card.
WDS is only able to do Light touch. The Client machine must be on.

Remote Install folder

cannot be in the c:\ drive, recommend using another drive

3 Subfolders

1. "Boot" folder includes some files like the boot.wim 
2. "Images" folder includes some different version of install.wim
3. "WDSunattendedclient" folder includes answer file

0-3. Lab Environment Preparation

Before doing this lab, your virtual machine (Oracle Virtualbox) needs to install the extension

Deployment server (WDS Server) Requirements

• Must be in a Domain
• DNS must be enabled in the domain
• DHCP must be enabled and at least one scope is active in the domain
• NTFS volume for the "remoteinstall" folder in the Deployment Point
• A Windows DVD which contains Boot.wim and Install.wim 

Requirement of Clients

• Connect to the same network as the DC and WDS server located
• PXE enable

1. Preparation

1-1. Server Configuration

Domain Name: JamesLab.com

Domain Admin Account: sysop

Domain User Account: user01

Domain Controller:

OS: Windows Server 2016 Datacenter

Names:DC01

IP:10.0.0.1

Roles: AD DS, DNS, DHCP

CPU:2

RAM:2GB

HDD: C: 50GB

WDS server:

OS: Windows Server 2016 Datacenter

Name: Dep01

IP:10.0.0.3

Roles: WDS

CPU:4

RAM:8GB

HDD: C: 50GB, E: 30GB

CD/DVD:

Windows 10 Education version

Client Computer:

OS: Windows 10 Education (Deployed by WDS)

CPU:2

RAM:2GB

HDD: C: 50GB

DC01 Settings (AD DS, DNS, DHCP)

Dep01 Settings

1-2. Add WDS Role

Now adding WDS role on the Dep01 server
Manage --> Add Roles and Features

Click "Next"

Click "Next"

Click "Next"

Select "Windows Deployment Services"

Click "Add Features"

Click "Next"

Click "Next"

Click "Next"

Check both are selected
Read "Deployment Server" to understand what this service does

Read "Transport Server" to understand what this service does
Click "Next"

Installaing

Click "Close" when complete