Preparing a Windows Image for OSD
Introduction
A simple overview of the steps involved in preparing a Windows Operation System Image for use in CapaInstaller Operating System Deployment
Prepare
Prepare the deployment server for Image configuration and capturing
Generalize
Generalize the reference computer to prepare the image for duplication.
Capture & Add
Capturing and adding an image into CapaInstaller OSD
Boot the reference computer and immediately press F12 to enter boot selection menu. Choose to boot from the network (PXE)
Wait for the CapaInstaller boot image to load
At the Install screen press CTRL-C to enter Capture Mode
Make sure the volume is the C:
Name the capture file
Begin the Capture and wait for the capture to complete and upload to the CapaInstaller server
When the Capture is complete add the image in OSD → How to Add Add a new image
The capture process illustrated. (Image capture speeds may wary depending on network and disk performance)
Configure
Use functions from OSD Scripting Library to configure settings in the Windows Deployment answer files
Create a Windows/Panther folder in the Image folder on the relevant OSD Point → <osdpoint>\Images\<Imagename>\Windows\Panther\
Create a vanilla unattend.xml from the template below and place it in the new folder
Create a new script with the needed configuration functions
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<unattend xmlns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:unattend">
<settings pass="specialize">
<component name="Microsoft-Windows-UnattendedJoin" ...> </component>
</settings>
</unattend>
When working with unattend.xml, the unattend.xml file must exist, and the root component tags must exist as shown in the template above. All elements in the components tag will be inserted or deleted by the functions.
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