Simple way to deploy custom Win 7 image using PXE and Clonezilla?

[marsdenprimary]

Hi,

 

I've been doing a fair bit of research into this and come a blank. I'm looking for a simple way to install Windows 7 on a clean machine, customise it with relevant software such as Office etc... and then grab a copy of that image using Clonezilla to deploy using PXE...

 

Not sure how to do it. I've done it using FOG but want to use Clonezilla as our FOG server has run low on space.

 

Can the Clonezilla image be deployed using Windows 2008??

[Tsonga]

I'll be honest, this doesn't answer your question, but have you tried MDT?

 

The only reason I ask is that it is so easy I really can't see why more people are not using it.

[L3OUGH]

+1 for MDT here, we are setting it up as we speak ready for the move from XP to Win 7 in the coming summer!

[marsdenprimary]

Not considered it...! Is it simple to do? I'm up for anything simple!!

[L3OUGH]

There are loads of guides on the internet, videos on YouTube etc etc. You could do the whole thing following guides! That's how our Network Manager did the first time round. + It saves a lot of time when it comes to the roll out, because you can upload the boot images to your WDS server, boot the machines via the NIC and choose which image you want to apply. We use "LiteTouch" which boots the OS and absolute minimum other packages i.e OS + Antivirus + possibly your VNC software. Just an example. Then as you go through set-up you can manually choose which software packages to install for example Office 2013, ICT Packages your school use etc etc. Pretty awesome. Once you've got it set up right, you could re-image a room in 30mins - 1 hour? So yes, you get the picture.

 

Hope this helps.

[VeryPC_Tom_M]

+1 for MDT

[Tsonga]

Not considered it...! Is it simple to do? I'm up for anything simple!!

 

Let me put it this way, I could confidently setup an MDT server in under 2 hours. At the end of those 2 hours I would be able to dish out Win 7 and a set of applications to any computer booted into PXE. However, it doesn't stop there, it is a really robust platform and you can tweak it quite endlessly. For example, I have a sequence that takes user data off of a machine, reinstalls windows 7 and the n puts back their data. Pretty cool

 

As others have said, loads of guides online. I'd encourage setting aside some time for it and having a good look

[marsdenprimary]

Let me put it this way, I could confidently setup an MDT server in under 2 hours. At the end of those 2 hours I would be able to dish out Win 7 and a set of applications to any computer booted into PXE. However, it doesn't stop there, it is a really robust platform and you can tweak it quite endlessly. For example, I have a sequence that takes user data off of a machine, reinstalls windows 7 and the n puts back their data. Pretty cool

 

As others have said, loads of guides online. I'd encourage setting aside some time for it and having a good look

 

Would the MDT server be a separate machine or could i use our current 2008 server?

[SHimmer45]

i would have MDT on a separate box.

now i have set one up i could set another one up in a short space of time, its just getting your head round the tools which you need to edit certain things and the differing methods of building an image. The MS documentation is LARGE and heavy going at times as alot of the material covered you might not need.

 

there are some MDT videos which i pulled from MS's site but i havent got the link handy, but they have hosted

which should give you a good idea of what its all about

[ricki]

+1 for MDT

[marsdenprimary]

That's great. As we already have 2008 R2 setup on our server though, would it be a problem doing it on there do you think? Thinking about it most of our Applications are installed via Group Policy anyway so i'd just need a Windows 7 image with all the updates that i could push out...

[L3OUGH]

We've got it hosted on a 2008 R2 Server, so yes it will be fine!

[fiza]

I found this guide invaluable when I was setting things up for the first time.

 

Theres 29 parts to the guide but you dont need to read all of them. But it does take you step by step through with screenshots.

 

Deploying Windows 7 - Part 1: Windows AIK 2.0 Enhancements

 

The whole guide covers AIK,MDT and WDS integration.

[marsdenprimary]

Awesome guys thanks so much- i'll get my teeth into it if i can stay awake!

[marsdenprimary]

Just an extra note- is there a Win 7 image anywhere with ALL updates including SP1 up to today? If not- how do i integrate those into the image or will I have to still perform the updates on each machine?

[SHimmer45]

you cant easily stream SP1 into an installation, id just get a ISO with it already done, then roll out your reference image update it and capture it and the updates are retained along with the software you install (if you install any)

[fiza]

you cant easily stream SP1 into an installation, id just get a ISO with it already done, then roll out your reference image update it and capture it and the updates are retained along with the software you install (if you install any)

 

thats what I did. Your Reference machine should have everything on it that you want your other machines to have so SP1 and all other updates and any software you want to pre-install (if you use GP to deploy then keep doing that).

[marsdenprimary]

you cant easily stream SP1 into an installation, id just get a ISO with it already done, then roll out your reference image update it and capture it and the updates are retained along with the software you install (if you install any)

 

So I would just basically send an image (with SP1) to a client machine, do the updates manually and then pull that image back and send it out again to other clients?

[fiza]

Basically yes

 

Follow the guide I posted up. Its a bit outdated but will help you understand the steps easily.

[marsdenprimary]

Basically yes

 

Follow the guide I posted up. Its a bit outdated but will help you understand the steps easily.

 

I definitely will. Thankyou very much for that. And Merry Christmas everyone!! x xx

[Tsonga]

So I would just basically send an image (with SP1) to a client machine, do the updates manually and then pull that image back and send it out again to other clients?

 

On my base win 7 installs I install Win 7 SP1, and then in the task sequence (you will learn what this is) I put in an update step. So after it has installed Win 7 it pulls down important updates automaticly and installs them (including handling the restarts). When I go back to my machines I just press finish, log out and they are good to go.

 

MDT is a really easy install, it prompts for required components and runs off and gets them for you!

 

Enjoy! It's a very rewarding implementation.

[marsdenprimary]

On my base win 7 installs I install Win 7 SP1, and then in the task sequence (you will learn what this is) I put in an update step. So after it has installed Win 7 it pulls down important updates automaticly and installs them (including handling the restarts). When I go back to my machines I just press finish, log out and they are good to go.

 

MDT is a really easy install, it prompts for required components and runs off and gets them for you!

 

Enjoy! It's a very rewarding implementation.

 

Downloaded, following the steps... easier than everything i've been reading. Hands on is the way for me!

 

I also found this article to help include the updates in the OS deployment: Injecting Windows Updates into install WIM files via MDT | deKay's Blog

[Tsonga]

I'll be honest, there are so many updates released that I just rely on the update step. We have a WSUS server so it isn't like our internet is getting hammered.

[ReBoot]

Hi,

 

I've been doing a fair bit of research into this and come a blank. I'm looking for a simple way to install Windows 7 on a clean machine, customise it with relevant software such as Office etc... and then grab a copy of that image using Clonezilla to deploy using PXE...

 

Not sure how to do it. I've done it using FOG but want to use Clonezilla as our FOG server has run low on space.

 

Can the Clonezilla image be deployed using Windows 2008??

 

You can certainly do this. I'm not using a MS server so MDT isn't an option for me. Here is what I do.

 

Install Windows to a reference PC

On first boot put the machine into Audit mode (Google this for further details type shift, ctrl, F3 when asked for username)

Perform all PC customisations you require (drivers applications desktop etc)

Sysprep it and shutdown (Google IT Bros Windows 7 Sysprep)

Boot with Clonezilla and capture Image

Deploy this with your preferred solution Clonzilla Live/Clonezilla Server/FOG

 

You may need to prepare reference builds for different H/W architectures but otherwise this procedure is fairly straightforward particularly if you already use Clonezilla/FOG.

 

Good Luck

 

Rob

[marsdenprimary]

Okay now then- I have installed MDT, managed to create a Lite touch image for booting and successfully managed to use WDS to send this Lite Touch image to a PC booting using PXE (phew!) exciting. The next thing i need to know is once the basic image has been installed on the client how do i capture that image after installing apps etc...?

 

Do I have to boot it in audit mode? Or do a sysprep? And after that- do i use WDS to pull that image back to the server so i can deploy it to the other clients?? The other PC's are all the same model for this task.