Automated Windows Server 2008R2 installation from a Linux server without machine imaging

This example uses ‘bootsrv.example.com’ running Fedora 14 and ‘dev1.vc.example.com’ in a virtual machine.
It is a fully automated install that doesn’t involve machine imaging and doesn’t require you to access the target server’s console.

Install tftp+dhcp+samba RPMs:

yum install tftp
yum install tftp-server
yum install dhcp
yum install samba

Configure tftpd
Edit /etc/xinetd.d/tftp to add “-m /etc/tftpd.map” to server_args

echo 'rg \\ /' > /etc/tftpd.map

Configure Samba

mkdir /data
chown 777 /data

Create /etc/samba/smb.conf

[global]
workgroup = VC
server string = Samba Server Version %v
log file = /var/log/samba/log.%m
max log size = 50
security = share
guest account = nobody

[data]
path = /data
guest ok = yes
writable = yes
browsable = yes
printable = no

Configure dhcpd
Create /etc/dhcp/dhcpd.conf

authoritative;
allow booting;
allow bootp;

option domain-name "example.com";
option subnet-mask 255.255.255.0;
option domain-name-servers 10.233.0.1;

shared-network vc {
  subnet 10.233.0.0 netmask 255.255.254.0 {
    range 10.233.0.10 10.233.0.99;
    option routers 10.233.0.1;
  }
}
group {
  next-server 10.233.0.9;
  filename "\\Boot\\pxeboot.n12";
  host dev1.vc.example.com { hardware ethernet 52:54:00:f4:2f:20; }
}

Modify the “host” entry to match the MAC address of the target server

Install Windows AIK on the Technician computer

Copy boot files to the PXE server
Start the Deployment Tools Command Prompt
Create the WinPE directory structure:

c:\>copype.cmd amd64 c:\winpe_amd64

Mount the WinPE image:

c:\winpe_amd64>dism /mount-wim /wimfile:winpe.wim /mountdir:mount /index:1

Install the setup packages:

c:\winpe_amd64>dism /image:mount /add-package /packagepath:"c:\program files\windows aik\tools\petools\amd64\winpe_fps\winpe-setup.cab"
c:\winpe_amd64>dism /image:mount /add-package /packagepath:"c:\program files\windows aik\tools\petools\amd64\winpe_fps\winpe-setup-server.cab"
c:\winpe_amd64>dism /image:mount /add-package /packagepath:"c:\program files\windows aik\tools\petools\amd64\winpe_fps\en-us\winpe-setup_en-us.cab"
c:\winpe_amd64>dism /image:mount /add-package /packagepath:"c:\program files\windows aik\tools\petools\amd64\winpe_fps\en-us\winpe-setup-server_en-us.cab"

Rebuild lang.ini:

c:\winpe_amd64>dism /image:mount /gen-langini /distribution:mount

Create winpeshl.ini (to prevent winpe launching setup.exe immediately):

c:\winpe_amd64\mount>cd winpe_amd64\mount\windows\system32
c:\winpe_amd64\mount\Windows\System32>notepad winpeshl.ini

Insert the text below into winpeshl.ini:

[LaunchApp]
AppPath = %SystemRoot%\system32\startnet.cmd

Edit startnet.cmd (prevents the builtin setup.exe from using WDS):

C:\data\winpe_amd64\mount\Windows\System32>notepad startnet.cmd

Insert the text below into startnet.cmd:

wpeinit
reg delete HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\PXE /f
x:\setup.exe /unattend:bootsrv.example.com\data\autounattend.xml

Copy the PXE boot files to bootsrv.example.com:

c:\winpe_amd64>net use n: bootsrv.example.com\data
c:\winpe_amd64>mkdir n:\Boot
c:\winpe_amd64>copy mount\windows\boot\pxe\*.* n:\Boot
c:\winpe_amd64>copy "c:\program files\windows aik\tools\petools\amd64\boot\boot.sdi" n:\boot

Unmount the WinPE image (ensure all explorer windows are closed):

c:\winpe_amd64\mount\Windows\System32>cd winpe_amd64
c:\winpe_amd64>dism /unmount-wim /mountdir:mount /commit

Copy the image to bootsrv.example.com:

c:\winpe_amd64>copy winpe.wim n:\Boot\boot.wim

Configure BCD Store:

c:\winpe_amd64>bcdedit -createstore BCD
c:\winpe_amd64>bcdedit -store BCD -create {ramdiskoptions} /d "Ramdisk Options"
c:\winpe_amd64>bcdedit -store BCD -set {ramdiskoptions} ramdisksdidevice boot
c:\winpe_amd64>bcdedit -store BCD -set {ramdiskoptions} ramdisksdipath \Boot\boot.sdi
c:\winpe_amd64>bcdedit -store BCD -create /d "WinPE Boot Image" /application osloader

Use the GUID returned from this command in place of {GUID} in the following commands:

c:\winpe_amd64>bcdedit -store BCD -set {GUID} systemroot \Windows
c:\winpe_amd64>bcdedit -store BCD -set {GUID} detecthal Yes
c:\winpe_amd64>bcdedit -store BCD -set {GUID} winpe Yes
c:\winpe_amd64>bcdedit -store BCD -set {GUID} osdevice ramdisk=[boot]\Boot\boot.wim,{ramdiskoptions}
c:\winpe_amd64>bcdedit -store BCD -set {GUID} device ramdisk=[boot]\Boot\boot.wim,{ramdiskoptions}
c:\winpe_amd64>bcdedit -store BCD -create {bootmgr} /d "Windows Boot Manager"
c:\winpe_amd64>bcdedit -store BCD -set {bootmgr} timeout 30
c:\winpe_amd64>bcdedit -store BCD -displayorder {GUID}
c:\winpe_amd64>copy BCD n:\Boot

Move /data/Boot to /var/lib/tftpboot/Boot on bootsrv.example.com:

[root@bootsrv ~]# mv /data/Boot /var/lib/tftpboot/Boot

Copy the DVD install.wim to bootsrv.example.com:

c:\winpe_amd64>copy e:\sources\install.wim n:\win2008r2.wim

Create the unattended xml file in /data/autounattend.xml. This example can be edited with the Windows System Image Manager. It will perform these actions:

• Create two partitions (system and windows)
• Install Windows Server 2008R2 Datacenter Server (use the value Windows Server 2008 R2 SERVERDATACENTERCORE in the XML to get Server Core)
• Name the server ‘dev1’
• Join the domain ‘VC’ using the username ‘djoin’ and password ‘djoin’ in the OU ou=application servers,dc=vc,dc=example,dc=com
• Set the local administrator password to ‘password1’

Product key should be changed from ZZZZZ-ZZZZZ-ZZZZZ-ZZZZZ-ZZZZZ

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<unattend xmlns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:unattend">
    <servicing></servicing>
    <settings pass="windowsPE">
        <component name="Microsoft-Windows-International-Core-WinPE" processorArchitecture="amd64" publicKeyToken="31bf3856ad364e35" language="neutral" versionScope="nonSxS" xmlns:wcm="http://schemas.microsoft.com/WMIConfig/2002/State" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance">
            <SetupUILanguage>
                <UILanguage>en-US</UILanguage>
                <WillShowUI>OnError</WillShowUI>
            </SetupUILanguage>
            <InputLocale>en-US</InputLocale>
            <SystemLocale>en-US</SystemLocale>
            <UILanguage>en-US</UILanguage>
            <UserLocale>en-US</UserLocale>
        </component>
        <component name="Microsoft-Windows-Setup" processorArchitecture="amd64" publicKeyToken="31bf3856ad364e35" language="neutral" versionScope="nonSxS" xmlns:wcm="http://schemas.microsoft.com/WMIConfig/2002/State" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance">
            <DiskConfiguration>
                <Disk wcm:action="add">
                    <CreatePartitions>
                        <CreatePartition wcm:action="add">
                            <Order>1</Order>
                            <Size>200</Size>
                            <Type>Primary</Type>
                        </CreatePartition>
                        <CreatePartition wcm:action="add">
                            <Order>2</Order>
                            <Extend>true</Extend>
                            <Type>Primary</Type>
                        </CreatePartition>
                    </CreatePartitions>
                    <ModifyPartitions>
                        <ModifyPartition wcm:action="add">
                            <Active>true</Active>
                            <Format>NTFS</Format>
                            <Label>System</Label>
                            <Order>1</Order>
                            <PartitionID>1</PartitionID>
                        </ModifyPartition>
                        <ModifyPartition wcm:action="add">
                            <Format>NTFS</Format>
                            <Label>Windows</Label>
                            <PartitionID>2</PartitionID>
                            <Order>2</Order>
                        </ModifyPartition>
                    </ModifyPartitions>
                    <DiskID>0</DiskID>
                    <WillWipeDisk>true</WillWipeDisk>
                </Disk>
            </DiskConfiguration>
            <ImageInstall>
                <OSImage>
                    <InstallFrom>
                        <Path>\\bootsrv.example.com\data\windows\win2008r2sp1.wim</Path>
                        <Credentials>
                            <Username></Username>
                        </Credentials>
                        <MetaData wcm:action="add">
                            <Value>Windows Server 2008 R2 SERVERDATACENTER</Value>
                            <Key>/IMAGE/NAME</Key>
                        </MetaData>
                    </InstallFrom>
                    <InstallTo>
                        <DiskID>0</DiskID>
                        <PartitionID>2</PartitionID>
                    </InstallTo>
                </OSImage>
            </ImageInstall>
            <UserData>
                <AcceptEula>true</AcceptEula>
            </UserData>
        </component>
    </settings>
    <settings pass="specialize">
        <component name="Microsoft-Windows-Shell-Setup" processorArchitecture="amd64" publicKeyToken="31bf3856ad364e35" language="neutral" versionScope="nonSxS" xmlns:wcm="http://schemas.microsoft.com/WMIConfig/2002/State" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance">
            <ProductKey>ZZZZZ-ZZZZZ-ZZZZZ-ZZZZZ-ZZZZZ</ProductKey>
            <ComputerName>dev1</ComputerName>
            <TimeZone>UTC</TimeZone>
        </component>
        <component name="Microsoft-Windows-UnattendedJoin" processorArchitecture="amd64" publicKeyToken="31bf3856ad364e35" language="neutral" versionScope="nonSxS" xmlns:wcm="http://schemas.microsoft.com/WMIConfig/2002/State" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance">
            <Identification>
                <Credentials>
                    <Domain>vc</Domain>
                    <Password>djoin</Password>
                    <Username>djoin</Username>
                </Credentials>
                <JoinDomain>vc</JoinDomain>
                <MachineObjectOU>ou=application servers,dc=vc,dc=example,dc=com</MachineObjectOU>
            </Identification>
        </component>
      </settings>
    <settings pass="oobeSystem">
        <component name="Microsoft-Windows-Shell-Setup" processorArchitecture="amd64" publicKeyToken="31bf3856ad364e35" language="neutral" versionScope="nonSxS" xmlns:wcm="http://schemas.microsoft.com/WMIConfig/2002/State" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance">
            <UserAccounts>
                <AdministratorPassword>
                    <Value>cABhAHMAcwB3AG8AcgBkADEAQQBkAG0AaQBuAGkAcwB0AHIAYQB0AG8AcgBQAGEAcwBzAHcAbwByAGQA</Value>
                    <PlainText>false</PlainText>
                </AdministratorPassword>
            </UserAccounts>
        </component>
    </settings>
    <settings pass="offlineServicing">
        <component name="Microsoft-Windows-PnpCustomizationsNonWinPE" processorArchitecture="amd64" publicKeyToken="31bf3856ad364e35" language="neutral" versionScope="NonSxS" xmlns:wcm="http://schemas.microsoft.com/WMIConfig/2002/State" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance">
            <DriverPaths>
                <PathAndCredentials wcm:action="add" wcm:keyValue="1">
                    <Path>\\bootsrv.example.com\data\windows\drivers</Path>
                </PathAndCredentials>
            </DriverPaths>
        </component>
    </settings>
    <cpi:offlineImage cpi:source="wim:c:/data/deploy/windows2008r2sp1-x64-msdn.wim#Windows Server 2008 R2 SERVERDATACENTER" xmlns:cpi="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:cpi" />
</unattend>

Boot the VM
It should boot WinPE, install, and the last reboot will bring it up as a domain joined server
The domain group policies will automatically apply (eventually), so if you have Remote Desktop enabled then you’ll be able to RDP into the server at this point. Otherwise you can log into the machine’s console and run “gpupdate /boot /sync” to get the policies to apply asap.