Crucible WDS for deploying Windows images over PXE

[pcpickup]

Thought you folks might be interested in this. We are using the Crucible WDS system at our store to deploy windows images on client machines. We have this installed in a FreeNAS system using their plugin system. The documentation for getting this setup is on the Crucible WDS site and is pretty thorough. We have this system setup using PXE network boot and it allows us to go from a blank partition to loaded Windows system in about 8 minutes. We are building the images and loading the updates then running Microsoft sysprep to prepare the images for upload to the Crucible Server.

Here is a video I put together to show the system in action.

 

[PBComputer]

This looks great, I'm guessing the system has to have DHCP running on it?

I think If there's time I'll be deploying soon.

 

[pcpickup]

The server does not have to be running DHCP as long as your DCHP server supports adding in the settings to point to a TFTP server for PXE. Here are the setting for our pfSesnse firewall.

 

[4ycr]

I had a look at that on my freenas but didn't take it any further, will need to do it now.

Couple of questions. did you build them all in a VM or just use some old computer that was sitting about. Secondly how do you keep them updated?

 

[PBComputer]

Couple of questions. did you build them all in a VM or just use some old computer that was sitting about. Secondly how do you keep them updated?

I build all mine in VM boxes. and only rebuild them every 3/6 months. When I rebuild I install my main image and just update that then reimage But will be interested to see how others do it.

 

[4ycr]

I have heard that re imaging too many times can cause problems, that is why I was wondering.

 

[ZenTree]

This looks very promising, thanks for sharing.

 

[pcpickup]

We rebuild them in a VM about every month to keep them up to date. There is an issue if you rebuild from the same image too many times but there is a simple solution to fix that.

http://system-center.me/miscellaneous/sysprep-your-windows-os-for-more-then-3-times/

 

[Slaters Kustum Machines]

This looks awesome. I am currently using MS WDS, but will be looking into this!

 

[pcpickup]

We fix windows computers all day, but we use mostly open source software and don't have any windows servers at the office or the need for them. We use linux on the desktops and servers are a combination of debian linux and FreeBSD. This project fits right into our infrastructure.

 

[Altster]

We fix windows computers all day, but we use mostly open source software and don't have any windows servers at the office or the need for them. We use linux on the desktops and servers are a combination of debian linux and FreeBSD. This project fits right into our infrastructure.

And that IS the way to do it - saves you money, too!

 

[pcpickup]

Thanks!

 

[Slaters Kustum Machines]

Thanks!

Hey, Glad to see you here. Any update on CloneDeploy? I have been holding out for CloneDeploy, but if it won't be available in the near future I'll take CrucibleWDS for a spin.

 

[HCHTech]

there is a simple solution to fix that.

Yes, I found this blog when I faced that problem as well. It works, but I've never been 100% comfortable using it. Seems like breaking the rules. The last time I ran into the limit, I rebuilt the image just to keep the process fresh in my mind. It doesn't take that long and then you're good to go for another year. I always think I want to update my images monthly, but that never really happens. Once ever 3 or 4 months is about average.

 

[pcpickup]

Hey, Glad to see you here. Any update on CloneDeploy? I have been holding out for CloneDeploy, but if it won't be available in the near future I'll take CrucibleWDS for a spin.

I have not seen any updates for CloneDeploy. CrucibleWDS is still working fine for us.

 

[Altster]

That's a "right-nice video" and I'm happy it works for you. But the Windows installer didn't work for me and I've even made postings in their help forums. But since I've gotten absolutely no response, I've dropped it altogether. I'm currently experimenting (again) with a Linux server setup using Dnsmasq, tftpd-hpa (for PXE booting) & SSH. I just haven't had the time to work on it - either here at work at home. Life happens and sometimes it gets in the way.

In the mean time, Clonezilla works just fine for us for the time being.