Configuring Windows Deployment Services in Server 2022
Posted on 16th June 2023
Overview
Windows Deployment Services is a technology used to deploy Windows operating systems over a network. It can be used to deploy Windows to computers that are not connected to the network or to devices that do not have an operating system installed. Windows Deployment Services can be used to deploy Windows operating systems to computers that are running Windows XP or later.
Installing Windows Deployment Services
Windows Deployment Services can be installed by using the Server Manager console or by using the PowerShell cmdlets.
Installing Windows Deployment Services Using the Server Manager Console
- Open the Server Manager console.
- In the left pane, click Manage and then click Add Roles and Features.
- Click Next on the Before you begin page.
- On the Select installation type page, select the Role-based or feature-based installation option and click Next.
- On the Select destination server page, select the server on which you want to install Windows Deployment Services and click Next.
- On the Select server roles page, select the Windows Deployment Services check box and click Next.
- On the Select features page, click Next.
- On the Confirm installation selections page, click Install.
- On the Results page, click Close.
Installing Windows Deployment Services Using PowerShell Cmdlets
Windows Deployment Services can be installed by using the PowerShell cmdlets.
Install-WindowsFeature -Name Windows-Deployment-Services
Configuring Windows Deployment Services
After you have installed Windows Deployment Services, you need to configure it. You can use the Configure-WDSServer PowerShell cmdlet or the WDSUTIL command-line tool to configure Windows Deployment Services.
Configuring Windows Deployment Services Using the Configure-WDSServer PowerShell Cmdlet
You can use the Configure-WDSServer PowerShell cmdlet to configure Windows Deployment Services.
Configure-WDSServer -Install
This cmdlet will install and configure Windows Deployment Services on the server.
Configuring Windows Deployment Services Using the WDSUTIL Command-Line Tool
You can use the WDSUTIL command-line tool to configure Windows Deployment Services.
WDSUTIL /Configure-Server /Install
This command will install and configure Windows Deployment Services on the server.
Adding Boot and Install Images to Windows Deployment Services
After you have installed and configured Windows Deployment Services, you need to add boot and install images to the server. You can do this by using the Add-WdsBootImage or Add-WdsInstallImage PowerShell cmdlets.
Adding a Boot Image to Windows Deployment Services
You can use the Add-WdsBootImage PowerShell cmdlet to add a boot image to the server.
Add-WdsBootImage -Path <path_to_boot_image>
Adding an Install Image to Windows Deployment Services
You can use the Add-WdsInstallImage PowerShell cmdlet to add an install image to the server.
Add-WdsInstallImage -Path <path_to_install_image>
Configuring Client Computers
After you have added boot and install images to Windows Deployment Services, you need to configure the client computers. You can do this by using the Configure-WdsClient PowerShell cmdlet or by using the WDSUTIL command-line tool.
Configuring Client Computers Using the Configure-WdsClient PowerShell Cmdlet
You can use the Configure-WdsClient PowerShell cmdlet to configure the client computers.
Configure-WdsClient -ComputerName <computer_name> -DeploymentServer <deployment_server>
Configuring Client Computers Using the WDSUTIL Command-Line Tool
You can use the WDSUTIL command-line tool to configure the client computers.
WDSUTIL /Configure-Client /ComputerName:<computer_name> /DeploymentServer:<deployment_server>
Configuring Windows Deployment Services in Server 2022
In this article, we will continue our look at configuring Windows Deployment Services in Server 2022. We will look at how to configure WDS for use with PXE booting, and how to configure remote installation servers.
Configuring WDS for PXE Booting
PXE booting allows clients to boot from a network location, and allows for the deployment of operating systems over the network. To configure WDS for PXE booting, we need to install the WDS Server Role, and then configure the boot images that we want to deploy.
Installing the WDS Server Role
To install the WDS Server Role, open the Server Manager, and select the “Add Roles and Features” option. On the “Before you begin” page, click “Next”.
On the “Select installation type” page, select “Role-based or feature-based installation”, and click “Next”.
On the “Select destination server” page, select the server that you want to install WDS on, and click “Next”.
On the “Select server roles” page, select the “Windows Deployment Services” role, and click “Next”.
On the “Select features” page, click “Next”.
On the “WDS” page, click “Next”.
On the “Confirm installation selections” page, click “Install”.
Configuring the Boot Images
Once the WDS Server Role has been installed, we need to configure the boot images that we want to deploy. To do this, open the WDS management console, and select the “Boot Images” option.
On the “Boot Images” page, right-click on the “Boot Images” folder, and select the “Add Boot Image” option.
On the “Add Boot Image” page, browse to the location of the boot image that you want to add, and click “Open”.
On the “Image Details” page, enter a name and description for the boot image, and click “Next”.
On the “Summary” page, review the settings, and click “Finish”.
The boot image will now be added to the WDS server.
Configuring Remote Installation Servers
In some cases, it may be necessary to install WDS on a remote server. To do this, we need to configure the remote server as a Remote Installation Server. To do this, open the WDS management console, and select the “Remote Installation Servers” option.
On the “Remote Installation Servers” page, right-click on the “Remote Installation Servers” folder, and select the “Add Remote Installation Server” option.
On the “Add Remote Installation Server” page, enter the name of the remote server, and click “Next”.
On the “Summary” page, review the settings, and click “Finish”.
The remote server will now be configured as a Remote Installation Server.
