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Step 5: Start Deploying!

All components are set up, you can start deploying your first client.

Create a Computer​

  • Log on to the Host Provisioning Administration console using your preferred browser.
  • Go to Hosts and Computers.
  • Clic on ADD.
  • Type the name of the Computer and the Mac address.
  • Select the Computer Group previously created if it's not already selected.
  • Clic on Save Changes.
Default Workgroup

A default workgroup has been created at installation time. You can create your own workgroup or set up a domain and assign it to a Computers Group in the Administration Console.

Boot Computer from WinPE​

Use the Host Provisioning WinPE .WIM you previously created in step 2, depending on your type of deployment, you may boot your computer from PXE (using the embedded TFTP or your own solution like WDS), or a bootable WinPE ISO.

BIOS or UEFI

The Host Provisioning embedded PXE automatically selects the appropriate BIOS or UEFI boot image.

Deploy Computer​

The default option is Deploy Image. The Host Provisioning Deployer will need two values:

  • The Host Provisioning Server address, for example https://myserver.
  • The disk you want to use to install the base image.
danger

The selected disk will be erased.

Server Address

A discover broadcast package will be sent, if successful, the server will be automatically filled. You can also customize the default Server adress in the WinPE image.

Transferring​

The deployer starts the transfer services, downloads the files and deploys the image on the selected hard disk. You can automatically restart the computer if you check the Automatically Reboot Computer checkbox.

BITS and BRANCHCACHE

Background Intelligent Transfer (BITS) is used during deployment. It assures the transfer can be resumed and features like Branchcache can be used (if applicable).

All is done. You are ready to get deeper into Host Provisioning options.

Additional steps to create a base image Option 1​

The generated VHDx from a Windows installation media is a bare operating system like the one you find when running the first time your computer in a new installation, you will need to finish the OOBE wizard and upload the prepared image back to Host Provisioning using the deployer tool.

  • Set your uploaded vDisk to MANT mode.
  • Set a computer in MANT mode an deploy the image.
  • Finish the OOBE wizard, install your software.
  • Shutdown the computer, run again the deployer and select Upload Image.
Host Provisional Client

Make sure to install the Host Provisioning Client.

Once uploaded the image will be replaced with the new vDisk ready to be deployed.