Step 1: Install Server
Host Provisioning Server Installation steps.
What you'll need
- Host Provisioning Server installer.
- SQL Server or SQL Server Express 2017 or later already installed (in the same or other computer).
- SQL credentials with permissions to create a SQL Instance.
Launch Server Installer
You can install the server on these operating systems:
- Windows Server 2016 or later x64 any edition.
- Windows 10/11 x64 any edition.
Some features are limited to Windows Server editions: Branchcache Role and Deduplication option.
Host Provisioning Server package installs these requirements if not present on the system by downloading them from the internet:
- Microsoft .NET 8.0.2 - Windows Server Hosting
- Microsoft ASP.NET Core 8.0.2
- Microsoft Visual C++ 2015-2022 x64
- Internet Information Services (IIS)
- Microsoft .NET Framework 4.8
Host Provisioning has been tested on IIS 10+.
It's highly recommended to set antivirus exclusions for the processes responsible to work with VHDx files: HostProvisioningServiceHelper.exe and DismHost.exe. Check this for more information.
Set your SQL Server/Express instance
Type the SQL Server or SQL Express server's name and instance and SQL credentials (domain accounts are not supported), if you don't type the instance the default instance will be used.
The user needs to have create schema privileges.
SQL Server 2017 or later are supported.
If you are using dynamic ports (default configuration in SQL Server), make sure service SQL Browser Service is running in the database server. In a default configuration TCP/IP Protocol is also disabled by default, check this for more information.
Configure Server options
These options can be configured later in the administration console.
| Property | Description |
|---|---|
| Datastore Path | The full path where the datastore with client images will be placed. The volume containing the datastore needs to have enough space to store all the client images you upload |
| Datastore Compact schedule | Datastore can be compacted to the minimum in a weekly schedule. An Enterprise license is needed for this feature |
| Enable PXE TFTP Server | Use the embedded TFTP Server to serve images to clients on network deployment. You don't need this option if you have already in place a deployment infraestructure like Windows Deployment Services |
| Enable PXE DHCP Proxy | Use the embedded DHCP Proxy so clients can start on network deployment. You don't need this option if you have already in place a deployment infraestructure like Windows Deployment Services |
| Automatically Open Windows Firewall ports | These ports will be automatically opened in Windows Firewall. 8888 UDP for broadcasting server's url in network deployment, 8001 UDP for High Availability, 67 and 4011 UDP for DHCP Proxy, 69 UDP for TFTP server, IIS TCP service and web ports (normally 80, 443 and 9443) |
| Install and Configure Deduplication Role | In Windows Server editions, deduplication will be set on the datastore volume, allowing you to significantly save space |
| Install Branchcache Role | In Windows Server editions, the Host Provisioning Server will work as a Branchcache server, specially oriented to deployment in Branch Offices, slow connections or for distributing the download among clients. An Enterprise license is needed for this feature |
Logon to the Administration console
Using a web browser access the administration console, the default ports are 80 and 443, if they were in used before the installation, check in your IIS Administration console the ports that have been set.
https://localhost
A default self-signed certificate is installed, you may want to update the certificate with one issued by a trusted Certification Authority in your environment following the standard procedure to bind a certificate in an IIS site.
The default username and password are admin and changeme. Use the console to change your password.
Install a Server to an existing farm
When installing an additional server, the installation wizard will detect the existing Host Provisioning installation an add the new server to the farm.
You need to manually upload the license file to register the server.