Before concluding our PXE server configuration series, we decided to write an article to add the installation option of a Microsoft’s operating system. Therefore, we have selected the Microsoft Windows 10 (the latest OS at the time of this writeup) as the candidate for our PXE boot server.
In this article, we will add the installation option of MS Windows 10 to our PXE server.
Note: In this article, we are performing everything from CLI, therefore, it is highly recommended that, you should have Linux Pocket Guide: Essential Commands for quick reference.
System Specification:
We use the same Linux server that we have configured as PXE Boot Server in our previous article. These specifications have been re-mentioned below for convenience of the readers.
| CPU: | 2 Core (2.4 Mhz) |
| Memory: | 2 GB |
| Storage: | 50 GB |
| Operating System: | RHEL 7.5 |
| Hostname: | pxe-server.itlab.com |
| IP Address: | 192.168.116.41/24 |
Furthermore, we need a client system to create Windows PE iso file. Here, we are using a MS Windows 8.1 machine for this purpose, however, you can use other versions of MS Windows as well (be noted that configurations are slightly different in MS Windows versions prior to 8.1).
Install and Configure Samba Server:
We used Samba server to share installation media of MS Windows 10 Operating System with PXE clients.
Connect to pxe-server.itlab.com using ssh and install Samba server.
[root@pxe-server ~]# yum install -y samba
Loaded plugins: product-id, search-disabled-repos, subscription-manager
This system is not registered with an entitlement server. You can use subscription-manager to register.
localyum | 4.3 kB 00:00
Resolving Dependencies
--> Running transaction check
---> Package samba.x86_64 0:4.7.1-6.el7 will be installed
--> Processing Dependency: libwbclient = 4.7.1-6.el7 for package: samba-4.7.1-6.el7.x86_64
--> Processing Dependency: samba-client-libs = 4.7.1-6.el7 for package: samba-4.7.1-6.el7.x86_64
--> Processing Dependency: samba-common = 4.7.1-6.el7 for package: samba-4.7.1-6.el7.x86_64
--> Processing Dependency: samba-common = 4.7.1-6.el7 for package: samba-4.7.1-6.el7.x86_64
--> Processing Dependency: samba-common-libs = 4.7.1-6.el7 for package: samba-4.7.1-6.el7.x86_64
--> Processing Dependency: samba-common-tools = 4.7.1-6.el7 for package: samba-4.7.1-6.el7.x86_64
--> Processing Dependency: samba-libs = 4.7.1-6.el7 for package: samba-4.7.1-6.el7.x86_64
--> Processing Dependency: libCHARSET3-samba4.so(SAMBA_4.7.1)(64bit) for package: samba-4.7.1-6.el7.x86_64
--> Processing Dependency: libauth-samba4.so(SAMBA_4.7.1)(64bit) for package: samba-4.7.1-6.el7.x86_64
--> Processing Dependency: libcli-cldap-samba4.so(SAMBA_4.7.1)(64bit) for package: samba-4.7.1-6.el7.x86_64
--> Processing Dependency: libcli-nbt-samba4.so(SAMBA_4.7.1)(64bit) for package: samba-4.7.1-6.el7.x86_64
--> Processing Dependency: libcli-smb-common-samba4.so(SAMBA_4.7.1)(64bit) for package: samba-4.7.1-6.el7.x86_64
--> Processing Dependency: libcliauth-samba4.so(SAMBA_4.7.1)(64bit) for package: samba-4.7.1-6.el7.x86_64
--> Processing Dependency: libdbwrap-samba4.so(SAMBA_4.7.1)(64bit) for package: samba-4.7.1-6.el7.x86_64
--> Processing Dependency: libgenrand-samba4.so(SAMBA_4.7.1)(64bit) for package: samba-4.7.1-6.el7.x86_64
--> Processing Dependency: libgse-samba4.so(SAMBA_4.7.1)(64bit) for package: samba-4.7.1-6.el7.x86_64
--> Processing Dependency: liblibsmb-samba4.so(SAMBA_4.7.1)(64bit) for package: samba-4.7.1-6.el7.x86_64
--> Processing Dependency: libmessages-dgm-samba4.so(SAMBA_4.7.1)(64bit) for package: samba-4.7.1-6.el7.x86_64
--> Processing Dependency: libmsghdr-samba4.so(SAMBA_4.7.1)(64bit) for package: samba-4.7.1-6.el7.x86_64
--> Processing Dependency: libndr-nbt.so.0(NDR_NBT_0.0.1)(64bit) for package: samba-4.7.1-6.el7.x86_64
--> Processing Dependency: libndr-samba-samba4.so(SAMBA_4.7.1)(64bit) for package: samba-4.7.1-6.el7.x86_64
--> Processing Dependency: libndr-standard.so.0(NDR_STANDARD_0.0.1)(64bit) for package: samba-4.7.1-6.el7.x86_64
--> Processing Dependency: libndr.so.0(NDR_0.0.1)(64bit) for package: samba-4.7.1-6.el7.x86_64
--> Processing Dependency: libpopt-samba3-samba4.so(SAMBA_4.7.1)(64bit) for package: samba-4.7.1-6.el7.x86_64
--> Processing Dependency: libreplace-samba4.so(SAMBA_4.7.1)(64bit) for package: samba-4.7.1-6.el7.x86_64
--> Processing Dependency: libsamba-cluster-support-samba4.so(SAMBA_4.7.1)(64bit) for package: samba-4.7.1-6.el7.x86_64
--> Processing Dependency: libsamba-debug-samba4.so(SAMBA_4.7.1)(64bit) for package: samba-4.7.1-6.el7.x86_64
--> Processing Dependency: libsamba-errors.so.1(SAMBA_ERRORS_1)(64bit) for package: samba-4.7.1-6.el7.x86_64
--> Processing Dependency: libsamba-hostconfig.so.0(SAMBA_HOSTCONFIG_0.0.1)(64bit) for package: samba-4.7.1-6.el7.x86_64
--> Processing Dependency: libsamba-passdb.so.0(SAMBA_PASSDB_0.2.0)(64bit) for package: samba-4.7.1-6.el7.x86_64
--> Processing Dependency: libsamba-security-samba4.so(SAMBA_4.7.1)(64bit) for package: samba-4.7.1-6.el7.x86_64
--> Processing Dependency: libsamba-sockets-samba4.so(SAMBA_4.7.1)(64bit) for package: samba-4.7.1-6.el7.x86_64
--> Processing Dependency: libsamba-util.so.0(SAMBA_UTIL_0.0.1)(64bit) for package: samba-4.7.1-6.el7.x86_64
--> Processing Dependency: libsamba3-util-samba4.so(SAMBA_4.7.1)(64bit) for package: samba-4.7.1-6.el7.x86_64
--> Processing Dependency: libsecrets3-samba4.so(SAMBA_4.7.1)(64bit) for package: samba-4.7.1-6.el7.x86_64
--> Processing Dependency: libserver-id-db-samba4.so(SAMBA_4.7.1)(64bit) for package: samba-4.7.1-6.el7.x86_64
--> Processing Dependency: libsmb-transport-samba4.so(SAMBA_4.7.1)(64bit) for package: samba-4.7.1-6.el7.x86_64
--> Processing Dependency: libsmbconf.so.0(SMBCONF_0)(64bit) for package: samba-4.7.1-6.el7.x86_64
--> Processing Dependency: libsmbd-base-samba4.so(SAMBA_4.7.1)(64bit) for package: samba-4.7.1-6.el7.x86_64
--> Processing Dependency: libsmbd-shim-samba4.so(SAMBA_4.7.1)(64bit) for package: samba-4.7.1-6.el7.x86_64
--> Processing Dependency: libsocket-blocking-samba4.so(SAMBA_4.7.1)(64bit) for package: samba-4.7.1-6.el7.x86_64
--> Processing Dependency: libsys-rw-samba4.so(SAMBA_4.7.1)(64bit) for package: samba-4.7.1-6.el7.x86_64
--> Processing Dependency: libtalloc.so.2(TALLOC_2.0.2)(64bit) for package: samba-4.7.1-6.el7.x86_64
--> Processing Dependency: libtdb.so.1(TDB_1.2.1)(64bit) for package: samba-4.7.1-6.el7.x86_64
--> Processing Dependency: libtdb.so.1(TDB_1.2.5)(64bit) for package: samba-4.7.1-6.el7.x86_64
--> Processing Dependency: libtevent-util.so.0(TEVENT_UTIL_0.0.1)(64bit) for package: samba-4.7.1-6.el7.x86_64
--> Processing Dependency: libtevent.so.0(TEVENT_0.9.16)(64bit) for package: samba-4.7.1-6.el7.x86_64
--> Processing Dependency: libtevent.so.0(TEVENT_0.9.9)(64bit) for package: samba-4.7.1-6.el7.x86_64
--> Processing Dependency: libutil-reg-samba4.so(SAMBA_4.7.1)(64bit) for package: samba-4.7.1-6.el7.x86_64
--> Processing Dependency: libutil-tdb-samba4.so(SAMBA_4.7.1)(64bit) for package: samba-4.7.1-6.el7.x86_64
--> Processing Dependency: libxattr-tdb-samba4.so(SAMBA_4.7.1)(64bit) for package: samba-4.7.1-6.el7.x86_64
--> Processing Dependency: libCHARSET3-samba4.so()(64bit) for package: samba-4.7.1-6.el7.x86_64
--> Processing Dependency: libauth-samba4.so()(64bit) for package: samba-4.7.1-6.el7.x86_64
--> Processing Dependency: libcli-cldap-samba4.so()(64bit) for package: samba-4.7.1-6.el7.x86_64
--> Processing Dependency: libcli-nbt-samba4.so()(64bit) for package: samba-4.7.1-6.el7.x86_64
--> Processing Dependency: libcli-smb-common-samba4.so()(64bit) for package: samba-4.7.1-6.el7.x86_64
--> Processing Dependency: libcliauth-samba4.so()(64bit) for package: samba-4.7.1-6.el7.x86_64
--> Processing Dependency: libdbwrap-samba4.so()(64bit) for package: samba-4.7.1-6.el7.x86_64
--> Processing Dependency: libgenrand-samba4.so()(64bit) for package: samba-4.7.1-6.el7.x86_64
--> Processing Dependency: libgse-samba4.so()(64bit) for package: samba-4.7.1-6.el7.x86_64
--> Processing Dependency: liblibsmb-samba4.so()(64bit) for package: samba-4.7.1-6.el7.x86_64
--> Processing Dependency: libmessages-dgm-samba4.so()(64bit) for package: samba-4.7.1-6.el7.x86_64
--> Processing Dependency: libmsghdr-samba4.so()(64bit) for package: samba-4.7.1-6.el7.x86_64
--> Processing Dependency: libndr-nbt.so.0()(64bit) for package: samba-4.7.1-6.el7.x86_64
--> Processing Dependency: libndr-samba-samba4.so()(64bit) for package: samba-4.7.1-6.el7.x86_64
--> Processing Dependency: libndr-standard.so.0()(64bit) for package: samba-4.7.1-6.el7.x86_64
--> Processing Dependency: libndr.so.0()(64bit) for package: samba-4.7.1-6.el7.x86_64
--> Processing Dependency: libpopt-samba3-samba4.so()(64bit) for package: samba-4.7.1-6.el7.x86_64
--> Processing Dependency: libreplace-samba4.so()(64bit) for package: samba-4.7.1-6.el7.x86_64
--> Processing Dependency: libsamba-cluster-support-samba4.so()(64bit) for package: samba-4.7.1-6.el7.x86_64
--> Processing Dependency: libsamba-debug-samba4.so()(64bit) for package: samba-4.7.1-6.el7.x86_64
--> Processing Dependency: libsamba-errors.so.1()(64bit) for package: samba-4.7.1-6.el7.x86_64
--> Processing Dependency: libsamba-hostconfig.so.0()(64bit) for package: samba-4.7.1-6.el7.x86_64
--> Processing Dependency: libsamba-passdb.so.0()(64bit) for package: samba-4.7.1-6.el7.x86_64
--> Processing Dependency: libsamba-security-samba4.so()(64bit) for package: samba-4.7.1-6.el7.x86_64
--> Processing Dependency: libsamba-sockets-samba4.so()(64bit) for package: samba-4.7.1-6.el7.x86_64
--> Processing Dependency: libsamba-util.so.0()(64bit) for package: samba-4.7.1-6.el7.x86_64
--> Processing Dependency: libsamba3-util-samba4.so()(64bit) for package: samba-4.7.1-6.el7.x86_64
--> Processing Dependency: libsecrets3-samba4.so()(64bit) for package: samba-4.7.1-6.el7.x86_64
--> Processing Dependency: libserver-id-db-samba4.so()(64bit) for package: samba-4.7.1-6.el7.x86_64
--> Processing Dependency: libsmb-transport-samba4.so()(64bit) for package: samba-4.7.1-6.el7.x86_64
--> Processing Dependency: libsmbconf.so.0()(64bit) for package: samba-4.7.1-6.el7.x86_64
--> Processing Dependency: libsmbd-base-samba4.so()(64bit) for package: samba-4.7.1-6.el7.x86_64
--> Processing Dependency: libsmbd-shim-samba4.so()(64bit) for package: samba-4.7.1-6.el7.x86_64
--> Processing Dependency: libsocket-blocking-samba4.so()(64bit) for package: samba-4.7.1-6.el7.x86_64
--> Processing Dependency: libsys-rw-samba4.so()(64bit) for package: samba-4.7.1-6.el7.x86_64
--> Processing Dependency: libtalloc.so.2()(64bit) for package: samba-4.7.1-6.el7.x86_64
--> Processing Dependency: libtdb.so.1()(64bit) for package: samba-4.7.1-6.el7.x86_64
--> Processing Dependency: libtevent-util.so.0()(64bit) for package: samba-4.7.1-6.el7.x86_64
--> Processing Dependency: libtevent.so.0()(64bit) for package: samba-4.7.1-6.el7.x86_64
--> Processing Dependency: libutil-reg-samba4.so()(64bit) for package: samba-4.7.1-6.el7.x86_64
--> Processing Dependency: libutil-tdb-samba4.so()(64bit) for package: samba-4.7.1-6.el7.x86_64
--> Processing Dependency: libxattr-tdb-samba4.so()(64bit) for package: samba-4.7.1-6.el7.x86_64
--> Running transaction check
---> Package libtalloc.x86_64 0:2.1.10-1.el7 will be installed
---> Package libtdb.x86_64 0:1.3.15-1.el7 will be installed
---> Package libtevent.x86_64 0:0.9.33-2.el7 will be installed
---> Package libwbclient.x86_64 0:4.7.1-6.el7 will be installed
---> Package samba-client-libs.x86_64 0:4.7.1-6.el7 will be installed
--> Processing Dependency: libldb.so.1(LDB_0.9.10)(64bit) for package: samba-client-libs-4.7.1-6.el7.x86_64
--> Processing Dependency: libldb.so.1(LDB_0.9.15)(64bit) for package: samba-client-libs-4.7.1-6.el7.x86_64
--> Processing Dependency: libldb.so.1(LDB_0.9.23)(64bit) for package: samba-client-libs-4.7.1-6.el7.x86_64
--> Processing Dependency: libldb.so.1(LDB_1.1.1)(64bit) for package: samba-client-libs-4.7.1-6.el7.x86_64
--> Processing Dependency: libldb.so.1(LDB_1.1.19)(64bit) for package: samba-client-libs-4.7.1-6.el7.x86_64
--> Processing Dependency: libldb.so.1(LDB_1.1.30)(64bit) for package: samba-client-libs-4.7.1-6.el7.x86_64
--> Processing Dependency: libldb.so.1()(64bit) for package: samba-client-libs-4.7.1-6.el7.x86_64
---> Package samba-common.noarch 0:4.7.1-6.el7 will be installed
---> Package samba-common-libs.x86_64 0:4.7.1-6.el7 will be installed
---> Package samba-common-tools.x86_64 0:4.7.1-6.el7 will be installed
---> Package samba-libs.x86_64 0:4.7.1-6.el7 will be installed
--> Processing Dependency: libpytalloc-util.so.2(PYTALLOC_UTIL_2.0.6)(64bit) for package: samba-libs-4.7.1-6.el7.x86_64
--> Processing Dependency: libpytalloc-util.so.2(PYTALLOC_UTIL_2.1.6)(64bit) for package: samba-libs-4.7.1-6.el7.x86_64
--> Processing Dependency: libpytalloc-util.so.2(PYTALLOC_UTIL_2.1.9)(64bit) for package: samba-libs-4.7.1-6.el7.x86_64
--> Processing Dependency: libpytalloc-util.so.2()(64bit) for package: samba-libs-4.7.1-6.el7.x86_64
--> Running transaction check
---> Package libldb.x86_64 0:1.2.2-1.el7 will be installed
---> Package pytalloc.x86_64 0:2.1.10-1.el7 will be installed
--> Finished Dependency Resolution
Dependencies Resolved
================================================================================
Package Arch Version Repository Size
================================================================================
Installing:
samba x86_64 4.7.1-6.el7 localyum 661 k
Installing for dependencies:
libldb x86_64 1.2.2-1.el7 localyum 131 k
libtalloc x86_64 2.1.10-1.el7 localyum 33 k
libtdb x86_64 1.3.15-1.el7 localyum 48 k
libtevent x86_64 0.9.33-2.el7 localyum 37 k
libwbclient x86_64 4.7.1-6.el7 localyum 107 k
pytalloc x86_64 2.1.10-1.el7 localyum 17 k
samba-client-libs x86_64 4.7.1-6.el7 localyum 4.8 M
samba-common noarch 4.7.1-6.el7 localyum 205 k
samba-common-libs x86_64 4.7.1-6.el7 localyum 162 k
samba-common-tools x86_64 4.7.1-6.el7 localyum 464 k
samba-libs x86_64 4.7.1-6.el7 localyum 275 k
Transaction Summary
================================================================================
Install 1 Package (+11 Dependent packages)
Total download size: 6.9 M
Installed size: 23 M
Downloading packages:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total 24 MB/s | 6.9 MB 00:00
Running transaction check
Running transaction test
Transaction test succeeded
Running transaction
Installing : libtalloc-2.1.10-1.el7.x86_ 1/12
Installing : libtdb-1.3.15-1.el7.x86_64 2/12
Installing : libtevent-0.9.33-2.el7.x86_ 3/12
Installing : samba-common-4.7.1-6.el7.no 4/12
Installing : libldb-1.2.2-1.el7.x86_64 5/12
Installing : samba-common-libs-4.7.1-6.e 6/12
Installing : libwbclient-4.7.1-6.el7.x86 7/12
Installing : samba-client-libs-4.7.1-6.e 8/12
Installing : pytalloc-2.1.10-1.el7.x86_6 9/12
Installing : samba-libs-4.7.1-6.el7.x86_ 10/12
Installing : samba-common-tools-4.7.1-6. 11/12
Installing : samba-4.7.1-6.el7.x86_64 12/12
Verifying : libtevent-0.9.33-2.el7.x86_64 1/12
Verifying : libtdb-1.3.15-1.el7.x86_64 2/12
Verifying : samba-client-libs-4.7.1-6.el7.x86_64 3/12
Verifying : samba-common-libs-4.7.1-6.el7.x86_64 4/12
Verifying : samba-libs-4.7.1-6.el7.x86_64 5/12
Verifying : samba-common-tools-4.7.1-6.el7.x86_64 6/12
Verifying : samba-common-4.7.1-6.el7.noarch 7/12
Verifying : libtalloc-2.1.10-1.el7.x86_64 8/12
Verifying : libwbclient-4.7.1-6.el7.x86_64 9/12
Verifying : libldb-1.2.2-1.el7.x86_64 10/12
Verifying : samba-4.7.1-6.el7.x86_64 11/12
Verifying : pytalloc-2.1.10-1.el7.x86_64 12/12
Installed:
samba.x86_64 0:4.7.1-6.el7
Dependency Installed:
libldb.x86_64 0:1.2.2-1.el7
libtalloc.x86_64 0:2.1.10-1.el7
libtdb.x86_64 0:1.3.15-1.el7
libtevent.x86_64 0:0.9.33-2.el7
libwbclient.x86_64 0:4.7.1-6.el7
pytalloc.x86_64 0:2.1.10-1.el7
samba-client-libs.x86_64 0:4.7.1-6.el7
samba-common.noarch 0:4.7.1-6.el7
samba-common-libs.x86_64 0:4.7.1-6.el7
samba-common-tools.x86_64 0:4.7.1-6.el7
samba-libs.x86_64 0:4.7.1-6.el7
Complete!
Create a directory to share Windows 10 installation media.
[root@pxe-server ~]# mkdir /smbshare
Adjust SELinux permissions.
[root@pxe-server ~]# semanage fcontext -a '/smbshare(/.*)?' -t samba_share_t
[root@pxe-server ~]# restorecon -Rv /smbshare
Create an user to control access to Samba share.
[root@pxe-server ~]# useradd -s /sbin/nologin ahmer
[root@pxe-server ~]# smbpasswd -a ahmer
Change owner of the shared directory with user ahmer.
[root@pxe-server /]# chown ahmer:ahmer /smbshare/
Allow Samba service in Linux Firewall.
[root@pxe-server ~]# firewall-cmd --permanent --add-service=samba
success
[root@pxe-server ~]# firewall-cmd --reload
success
Add directives in /etc/samba/smb.conf to share the directory /smbshare with clients.
[root@pxe-server ~]# cat >> /etc/samba/smb.conf << EOF
> [install]
> comment = Installation Media
> path = /smbshare
> public = yes
> writable = no
> printable = no
> browseable = yes
> EOF
[root@pxe-server ~]#
Start and enable Samba services.
[root@pxe-server ~]# systemctl start smb nmb
[root@pxe-server ~]# systemctl enable smb nmb
Attach MS Windows 10 ISO/DVD and mount it at /mnt/iso (you can use any mountpoint, according to your choice).
[root@pxe-server ~]# mount -t iso9660 /dev/cdrom /mnt/iso
mount: /dev/sr0 is write-protected, mounting read-only
Copy contents of /mnt/iso to /smbshare/windows10 directory.
[root@pxe-server ~]# cp -rf /mnt/iso /smbshare/windows10
Create a Customized Windows PE ISO:
Connect to MS Windows 8.1 client.
We required Windows ADK (Assessment and Deployment Kit) to create our Windows PE iso. Therefore, we have downloaded it from Microsoft's website and installed it on our Windows 8.1 client.
After installation, run Deployment and Imaging Tools Environment as Administrator.
Run the following command to create working directories for Win PE. (Command output has been trimmed to show only success status)
C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\8.0\Assessment and Deployment Kit\Windows Pr
einstallation Environment> copype x86 c:\WinPE_x86
---
186 File(s) copied
1 file(s) copied.
1 file(s) copied.
1 file(s) copied.
Success
c:\WinPE_x86>
We will customize the startup script startcmd.net, so MS Windows 10 setup will start automatically. Therefore, mount the image file and customize it accordingly.
c:\WinPE_x86> Dism /Mount-Image /ImageFile:"c:\WinPE_x86\media\sources\boot.wim"
/index:1 /MountDir:"c:\WinPE_x86\mount"
Deployment Image Servicing and Management tool
Version: 6.2.9200.16384
Mounting image
[==========================100.0%==========================]
The operation completed successfully.
c:\WinPE_x86>
Now, edit startnet.cmd.
c:\WinPE_x86> notepad c:\WinPE_x86\mount\Windows\System32\Startnet.cmd
And add following lines therein.
wpeinit
net use z: \\192.168.116.41\install\windows10 /user:ahmer 123
z:\setup.exe
Save and unmount the image file.
c:\WinPE_x86> Dism /Unmount-Image /MountDir:"c:\WinPE_x86\mount" /commit
Deployment Image Servicing and Management tool
Version: 6.2.9200.16384
Saving image
[==========================100.0%==========================]
Unmounting image
[==========================100.0%==========================]
The operation completed successfully.
c:\WinPE_x86>
Generate winpe.iso file.
c:\WinPE_x86> MakeWinPEMedia /ISO c:\WinPE_x86 c:\winpe.iso
Creating c:\winpe.iso...
100% complete
Success
c:\WinPE_x86>
Transfer winpe.iso file to pxe-server-itlab.com and copy it to /var/lib/tftpboot/networkboot/windows10/ directory.
Add MS Windows 10 installation option to PXE boot menu:
Now, connect to pxe-server.itlab.com again using ssh.
Copy Kernel boot image for MS Windows in tftpboot directory.
[root@pxe-server ~]# cp /usr/lib/syslinux/memdisk /var/lib/tftpboot/
Edit PXE boot menu for BIOS based clients.
[root@pxe-server ~]# vi /var/lib/tftpboot/pxelinux.cfg/default
And add following menu option at the end of file.
label Install MS Windows 10
menu label Install MS Windows 10
kernel memdisk
initrd /networkboot/windows10/winpe.iso
append iso raw
Connect a new client to your network and turn it on. It should get the IP address from DHCP server and display our PXE boot Menu as follows:
Select Install MS Windows 10 option and press <ENTER>.
We have successfully added the MS Windows 10 installation option in our Linux based PXE server.
Great manual thank you very much !!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome.
DeleteHi Ahmer,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the document. How can I add for UEFI based clients?
Hi, Thank you for liking this article.
DeleteLately, I worked on adding UEFI support to Windows 10 PXE installation, but didn't succeed. Please let me know if you have workaround this issue.
Hello, well detailed tutorial. By the way, i'm unable to make it working... :(
ReplyDeleteMy Winpe ISO file is fine, i tested it and booted on it but when using it with PXE server, nothing happens, WINPE does not launch... RHEL 7 installation is working... Any suggestion please?
Hi Alex, I am afraid, I cannot help you with this little information. But, I am advicing you to look into /var/log/messages at CentOS server. Contact me, if you find anything notable there.
DeletePlease add steps to setup auto-answer of the Windows10 installation.
ReplyDeleteOk will work on it.
DeleteHello Ahmer
ReplyDeletethanks a lot for your great job,
i've successfully launched WINPE, but cant mount Windows image from samba share
however i cannot ping to server from winpe.
it seems that nic driver is missed on winpe image
Thanks for your kind remarks.
Delete- If you are unable to mount Windows 10 DVD. then you can also copy the contents of DVD to disk and use it by using the same steps above.
- If your client is obtaining an IP from DHCP then this is not an NIC issue. Otherwise, troubleshoot it.
Hi Ahmer
DeleteI have the same issue,ping my server failed after wpeinit. However if I don't edit startnet.cmd when i create winpe.iso, I can manual mount use command "net use z: \\192.168.116.41\install\windows10 /user:ahmer 123", I also found the size of winpe.iso are different between edit startnet.cmd and not edit. Is it possible the network driver is not include when I follow the instruction to edit startnet.cmd ?
Thanks
Hi,
Delete1) I wonder how do you manage to mount the share, if you are unable to ping the server. May be there is a Firewall in between that was restricting ICMP, although the connectivity is there.
2) The size of WinPE.iso may vary based on what you have included in c:\WinPE_x86 folder before running MakeWinPEMedia command.
I've been able to get to the point where Windows10 boots up and is about to map the share, but when running setup.exe it says 'Access is denied'.
ReplyDeleteCheck user permissions and SELinux context on the directory. Try
Delete# ls -alZ /smbshare
You forgot to mention, that you need to copy memdisk from /usr/share/syslinux to /var/lib/tftpboot/
DeleteThanks for the correction.
DeleteThe above post has been updated accordingly.
This blog, the related post and most others from internet search deal with setting up a PXE server and sending an OS installation image. I'm looking for something that would describe the process/steps to create the boot images that the PXE server sends to the client machine. Ideally I would have a client machine all setup and configured with my working application running linux (centOS) from a local drive. (1) Want to create a boot image of this client drive, (2) change things as required for PXE needs, (3)put image on PXE server, (4)make it boot over PXE process, (5)when local drive is removed from the client. Items (1) and (2) are steps/procedures I'm in search of. Thank you for any advice.
ReplyDeleteHi,
DeleteYour requirements have been noted, We will work on it very soon.