I'm trying to figure out the best approach to image and install software on computers since we need to deploy about 150 machines by October 1st. After that, we have another 400 to replace as part of our hardware refresh project. Our PXE boot server can only handle imaging 4 computers at a time, which is quite the bottleneck. My idea is to image 30 computers at once and then keep them in a half rack cabinet next to the shelf, connected to 2 rack-mounted 16-port KVM switches and some PDUs, to avoid messy cables. This setup would allow me to push all the necessary software remotely without having to manually install it on each computer. If anyone has suggestions to make this process more efficient, I'd really appreciate your insights! Sorry if this sounds a bit jumbled; I'm just thinking out loud here.
5 Answers
Have you thought about going for a clean Windows install with Intune and using Windows Autopilot? It could streamline your deployment process if you provide a bit more detail on your current setup.
Consider getting a dedicated server and using WDS or Clonezilla for deployment. If you can only image 4 computers at a time, there might be a configuration issue with your PXE setup causing the slow performance.
I’d recommend fixing the PXE server first before you start imaging. It could save you a lot of hassle down the line! Just my two cents.
Many suggest using Intune and Autopilot, but I understand that they're not suitable for every scenario. If FOG isn't an option, look for a proprietary tool that supports multicast imaging. Ensure your PCs are connected to a modern gigabit switch; outdated hardware could severely slow down the imaging process. If you're open to investing in better solutions, Intune and Autopilot can significantly simplify provisioning, especially if your hardware needs are straightforward.
You might want to try using a FOG server if open source is an option for you. It works well for deploying images remotely.
Unfortunately, we can't go the open-source route, so that's out for us.