firstcom Posted December 15, 2014 Report post Posted December 15, 2014 We have SCCM 2012 R2 installed. So far, we've used a PXE-based option and a USB thumbdrive option for imaging PCs. What I'd like to explore next is doing it over LAN, without having to PXE boot. Just assigning a OS deployment task sequence isn't doing it. What changes have to be made to support doing this over the network, without PXE? Our current task sequence is: * Restart in Windows PE * Partition disk * Assign C:\ to boot * Apply Operating System * Install Drivers * Apply Windows Settings * Apply Network Settings * Install Applications Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dooty22 Posted December 16, 2014 Report post Posted December 16, 2014 Is this even possible ?? I think you either use PXE or you boot from an exported ISO (ie USB or DVD) to get WinPE loaded and connect to your WDS/DP server and start the Task sequence. Otherwise you're using offline task sequence media. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
firstcom Posted December 16, 2014 Report post Posted December 16, 2014 Let me rephrase: I don't mind booting into PXE, but I'd want it to actually work, and have everything be automated. I'm not sure if there's a way to do it without PXE or not. I was hoping there was a way to launch it just like an application deployment with software center, set it to required, and initiate the process that way without PXE. If PXE is required, we have task sequence variables that we set in the PXE boot to define extra software components that we want installed. I'd want to schedule the OS deployment with those variables set beforehand, and launch the re-image automatically. What is required to make this happen, and what are my options? Right now everything is established and set up so that if I manually PXE boot into a PC and set the task sequence variables, it works great. However, for the particular environment we're looking at, the VLAN for PXE is different so we have to make network changes when we need to PXE boot a PC and we'd prefer to not change any of those settings in this environment. If there's no way around PXE then so be it, but I want to be aware of all of my options of imaging over the LAN and the requirements in my situation to do it. Is this even possible ?? I think you either use PXE or you boot from an exported ISO (ie USB or DVD) to get WinPE loaded and connect to your WDS/DP server and start the Task sequence. Otherwise you're using offline task sequence media. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter van der Woude Posted December 16, 2014 Report post Posted December 16, 2014 You can also deploy the task sequence as a normal deployment to the client. Just make sure that at least Configuration Manager clients is selected in the Deployment Settings. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
firstcom Posted December 16, 2014 Report post Posted December 16, 2014 Peter, When I attempt to deploy the task sequence just like any other application or program, I get an immediate error when I attempt to run it that says, "Unable to make changes to your software. None of the applications you tried to install began installation successfully. Investigate the reason for the installation failures and then try to install the applications again." How do I investigate or resolve this issue? Are there extra steps I'm missing that I need to consider when doing a normal deployment of an OS vs doing it directly via PXE? Second question: In my task sequence, I have variables for some programs set (i.e. Install_Office) that are used to determine if certain applications should be installed. These are requested from the administrator/user at the time of the PXE boot. I also request the device name as a task sequence variable. How do I automate this or "pre-set" those variables so I can launch the task sequence at a scheduled time and have it be completely automated? You can also deploy the task sequence as a normal deployment to the client. Just make sure that at least Configuration Manager clients is selected in the Deployment Settings. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
firstcom Posted December 16, 2014 Report post Posted December 16, 2014 execmgr.log, regarding that Software Center error, shows that the task sequence is not on the DP - but none of them are showing up under "Content" when viewing the DP status. They are part of the DP group, however. Peter, When I attempt to deploy the task sequence just like any other application or program, I get an immediate error when I attempt to run it that says, "Unable to make changes to your software. None of the applications you tried to install began installation successfully. Investigate the reason for the installation failures and then try to install the applications again." How do I investigate or resolve this issue? Are there extra steps I'm missing that I need to consider when doing a normal deployment of an OS vs doing it directly via PXE? Second question: In my task sequence, I have variables for some programs set (i.e. Install_Office) that are used to determine if certain applications should be installed. These are requested from the administrator/user at the time of the PXE boot. I also request the device name as a task sequence variable. How do I automate this or "pre-set" those variables so I can launch the task sequence at a scheduled time and have it be completely automated? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
firstcom Posted December 16, 2014 Report post Posted December 16, 2014 Okay, so I quickly resolved the Software Center error. Next question: When it started the OS deployment, it did not ask for any of the variables I set up - machine name, whether or not to install certain software, etc. How do I handle this? execmgr.log, regarding that Software Center error, shows that the task sequence is not on the DP - but none of them are showing up under "Content" when viewing the DP status. They are part of the DP group, however. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter van der Woude Posted December 16, 2014 Report post Posted December 16, 2014 How are those variables configured? The easiest method is probably to create a simple HTA and request for input. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
firstcom Posted December 16, 2014 Report post Posted December 16, 2014 They are configured as task sequence variables that are asked upon PXE boot and configured in our All PCs collection. If the answer is "Y" then it proceeds with the install for the specific application the variable references. Finding a way to integrate a similar system or injecting the task sequence variables prior to deployment would be great, if it's possible. The task sequence variables we have configured are used to set the computer name, and whether or not to install certain applications like Office and some other proprietary applications. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
firstcom Posted December 17, 2014 Report post Posted December 17, 2014 Anyone have any thoughts/input? I'm surprised that nobody has run into this and thought to optimize the overall OS deployment process by choosing to go ahead and deploy certain applications during the actual OS deployment. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
