Deployment Solution

Hi

I'm trying to capture an image from an XPSP3 workstation with DS 6.9SP4.  I've installed the remote installer.  The agent is running on the client.  Eventually I need to capture an image from an HP thin client but I'm testing DS on the XP box because I can't afford to blow up my thin client :)

When I start the job the server sends a "wake on lan" command to the client and the client responds.  The client boots to the log on screen.  Then the server sends a "boot to automation" command and the client does another reboot.  About a minute later the server sends another "wake on lan" command and the whole process continues to cycle.

Checking the server, the .img file was created but it is 0kb in size so nothing was captured.

I'm new to DS.  I set up the solution walking thru the KB articles Part 1-4 for all the settings.  Viewed two sets of online training videos from Symantec. 

both machines can ping each other. 

The server does connect and wake up the client.

the server is a VM machine, w2k3SP2

using RDeployT to capture the image.

created my own job and also used the sample "create image" job.  I don't believe I need to add any other commands at this time.  I'm just doing a straight capture.  I'll tackle the HAL needs later.  I just need to get this first step to work.

Please let me know if you need add'l information from me.

Thanks in advance,

PCully

What are you using for Automation?  PXE?  Boot disk?

You'll need to boot into some sort of Automation OS for the image capture to take place.  I'm guessing this isn't happening as you said this turns into a cycle.

Most of us use PXE for Automation as it eliminates the need to install or keep up to date the Automation partitions or boot disks.  Once you have PXE installed, if the machines are on different or multiple subnets, you'll need iphelpers on the switches to forward the DHCP/PXE requests to your PXE server.

I think you'll find that once you have the automation setup your capture image task should work just fine.

thanks.  I tried to load Altiris_DS_Preboot_WinPE_2.1 on my client but it says it can't find the  DS installed.  I want to use PXE for automation.  Eventually, I'm going to be doing this process on some HP T5730 thin clients with embedded XP and I believe they have PE installed by HP.  Does that sound right?

Re my current need, I'm guessing the above file is the wrong one to load on the client.  Can you direct me to the appropriate PXE exe that I can load on the client or do I do that through DS?  I'm going to try looking at the online trainings again to see if I can find this info there as well.

thanks,

Okay, I've done some checking and I think I've got a problem with my WinPE install.  I go to start, all programs, altiris, pxe services,pxe config utility and click to open it.  I don't see any dialog box open but when I try to invoke it a 2nd time it says the utility is running.

now I try to create a new job via the wizard and when I get to pre boot automation only default automation (auto select) is an available choice.  I can't choose PXE.  Any ideas?  Maybe I'll try to reinstall the winPE environment.  I believe that is the PXE exe.

Looks like there is a problem with the software.  The Confg Utility asked me to check to see of the PXE Manager service was running.  It was but I restarted it.  If this doesn't work it's telling me to reinstall all the software :(

Hi PCully,

I apologize for not getting back to you sooner as I was out all last week on vacation.  Were you able to get PXE working?  If not, this link might be valuable to you:  https://www-secure.symantec.com/connect/articles/deployment-server-69-quick-start-course-part-13-configuring-pxe-winpe