Install Windows OS from Network | Install And Configure Windows Deployment Service (WDS)

by SinaOnline System Training

1. Install Windows Deployment Services Role:

  • Open Server Manager on a Windows Server machine.
  • Click on “Add roles and features.”
  • Select “Windows Deployment Services” as the role to install.
  • Follow the wizard to complete the installation.

2. Configure Windows Deployment Services:

  • After installing the role, open the Windows Deployment Services console from the Server Manager.
  • Right-click on the server name and select “Configure Server.”
  • Follow the wizard to configure the server.
  • Choose the location to store the images (you can use the default location).
  • Select “Integrated with Active Directory” if you want to use Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS) to authorize clients and manage computer accounts.
  • Specify the DHCP server settings. You can choose to configure DHCP options 60, 66, and 67, or you can manually configure DHCP options if you’re using a separate DHCP server.

3. Add Boot and Install Images:

  • In the Windows Deployment Services console, expand the server name.
  • Right-click on “Boot Images” and select “Add Boot Image.”
  • Browse to the location of the Windows installation files and select the boot image (boot.wim) file.
  • Repeat the process to add the install image (install.wim) file for the Windows version you want to deploy.

4. Configure DHCP Options (if not done in step 2):

  • If you didn’t configure DHCP options during the WDS configuration, you’ll need to do it manually on your DHCP server.
  • Configure option 60 to PXEClient.
  • Configure option 66 to the IP address of the WDS server.
  • Configure option 67 to boot\x64\pxeboot.n12 for BIOS-based systems or boot\x64\wdsmgfw.efi for UEFI-based systems.

5. PXE Boot and Install Windows:

  • Boot the client computer from the network (PXE boot). This usually involves pressing a key (e.g., F12) during startup to access the boot menu and selecting the network boot option.
  • The client will contact the WDS server and load the boot image.
  • Follow the on-screen instructions to select the install image and complete the Windows installation.

6. Monitor Deployment:

  • Use the Windows Deployment Services console to monitor the deployment process and view the status of client installations.

By following these steps, you can set up Windows Deployment Services to deploy Windows operating systems over the network, making it easier to manage and deploy Windows installations across multiple computers.