Basic Information
This manual first describes the prerequisites for the Matrix42 OS deployment based on WinPE. This is followed by detailed instructions on how to prepare and perform the deployment (also for different scenarios).
Prerequisites
Matrix42 Client Management (v21.0.3 or later).
To use WinPE, a current .NET and a current Power Shell version (at least 5.1) is recommended!
We recommend the use of WADK 11 when creating on a machine with Windows 11 or Server 2022 and the use of WADK 10 when creating on a machine with Windows 7/10 or Server 2016/2019!
- An installed (current) Windows ADK for Windows 10 or 11 on the Empirum Master Server, for WinPE creation.
- The backend task queue needs this to create the WinPE boot images.
- The Empirum Master Server runs on a Windows Server 2016 / 2019/ 2022 operating system.
- The Empirum Packaging Center must be used to configure an OS deployment via our cloud.
Current functionality
The current functionality of Matrix42 OS Deployment based on WinPE:
- Import of Matrix42 PreOS packages
- Creation of a WinPE based boot configuration
- Assignment and configuration of Matrix42 PreOS packages using variable configurations
- Assignment of operating system editions via drag & drop
- Deployment on UEFI or legacy / bios based computers
- Domain Join of the computer and assignment to the Organizational Unit in the Active Directory
- Support for DHCP options
- Selection of the Empirum agent version to be installed
- HTTP(S) as transport protocol
- Display of current tasks on the client during installation
- End of Life (EOL)
- Self provisioning based on computer templates
- Support for language packs in CAB file format (LP) and as Local Experience Packs (LXP)
- Use of static IP address for OS deployment
- Configuration of server certificate fingerprints for HTTPS communication
- Integrated support for OS deployment of computers to a workgroup
Limitations
The following limitations exist when using Matrix42 OS Deployment based on WinPE:
- Only Windows 7 64-bit / Windows 10 / Windows 11 and Windows server 2016 / 2019 / 2022 operating systems are supported.
- WinPE based self-provisioning works with all (EFI) clients, but the local boot only works on clients that have already been set up with Empirum v19.0.3 / WinPE Support 1.6.1 or higher.
- Alternatively, it is recommended not to configure a default PXE image in DBUtil, but to boot from a USB stick.
A USB stick can be created in the Empirum Management Console under Boot Configurations.
Cloud customers can create a USB stick via the Packaging Center. Detailed information can be found here".