Setting Up
Set up the Imaging Server in your local network and configure the settings on the Deep Freeze Cloud Console.
In Your local Network
1. Download and install Imaging Server.
Supported platforms for the Imaging Server:
> Windows 8.1, 10, 11
> Windows Server 2012 R2, 2016, 2019, 2022
Windows Server 2012 R2 or above is required to take advantage of WDS.
2. Configure Imaging.
> Use Windows Deployment Services (WDS)
Select this option to utilize advanced features such as PXE booting and have access to existing images and driver repository. Imaging Server will automatically configure the Windows Deployment Service Role at the end of the setup.
> Proceed without Windows Deployment Services
Select this option to proceed without Windows Deployment Services. PXE booting is not supported in this setup, and images and drivers already set up in WDS are not accessible. You will need a Windows installation media (.iso file or DVD) at the end of the setup process.
3. Create a Local User Account to allow managed computers to communicate with this server and secure a Network Share.
4. Specify the Image Repository Location to hold images. It is recommended to choose a location with enough free space to hold multiple OS installation images.
5. Add Images (.iso or .wim files) and Drivers (.inf files).
| After setting up the Imaging Server, you need to provide Volume License .iso file (with boot.wim and install.wim files) as the first image to be added. Without the boot.wim file, Imaging will not work. |
Adding Images
Complete the following steps to add images.
1. Launch Imaging Server.
2. Click Images.
3. Select one from these options:
> Automatically Download Windows 11 ISO from Microsoft
> Manually Choose any Other Existing ISO File
4. Click Next.
5. Select the images you want to add to the server and click Next.
6. To change your selection, click Back. To add the selected images to the server, click Next.
7. Add OEM Drivers. Click Continue to add OEM drivers, or Skip to continue adding images.
8. You can edit the image name and description of the images by clicking the pencil icon under Action. Click X to cancel any changes, or click the save icon after editing.
9. You can delete the images by clicking the delete icon under Action.
10. To add another image, click Add Image.
Creating Cloud Images
Cloud Images are images exported from the Imaging Server and hosted on a publicly available server (for example, HTTP/S or SFTP servers).
Complete the following steps to create Cloud Images.
1. Launch Imaging Server.
2. Click Images.
3. Select the image you want to create a Cloud Image of and click Create Cloud Image.
4. Specify the folder for creating the Cloud Image ZIP Archive, then click Next.
5. After the Cloud Image ZIP Archive has been created, you have the option to:
> Use HTTP/S Server
To use this option, cloud images must be uploaded to a publicly accessible web server or cloud storage provider that supports HTTP/S endpoint (make note of where the images are located in your cloud storage). In the Cloud Image ZIP Archive URL field, enter the URL where the cloud image was uploaded, then click Register Cloud Image.
> Upload to SFTP Server
If selecting this option, cloud images will be automatically picked up and uploaded to the SFTP server. Provide the SFTP Server Name, SFTP User Name, and SFTP Password, then click Upload and Register.
| Click Open Folder to view the list of existing cloud images in the local directory. Click Cancel to view the list of images that have been added to the utility. Note that clicking Cancel will bring you to the images list page and any changes or progress made are not saved. |
| You can store multiple images in the same server, however each image must have its own link. |
| After the Cloud Image ZIP archive has been registered, it will appear as an image under Cloud Images in the Cloud console and can be used to create a Cloud Deployment Package. |
Registering Existing Cloud Images
You can choose to register existing cloud images if you want to upload the images to a different HTTP/s location, different SFTP server or to register the images in a different Imaging Server.
| You can only register cloud images that have been created through the Faronics Imaging solution. |
Complete the following steps to register existing Cloud Images.
1. Launch Imaging Server.
2. Click Images.
3. In the image list page, click Register Existing Cloud Image and select the image zip package you want to register. Click Open.
4. After selecting the Cloud Image ZIP Archive to be registered, you have the option to:
> Use HTTP/S Server
To use this option, cloud images must be uploaded to a publicly accessible web server or cloud storage provider that supports HTTP/S endpoint (make note of where the images are located in your cloud storage). In the Cloud Image ZIP Archive URL field, enter the URL where the cloud image was uploaded, then click Register Cloud Image.
> Upload to SFTP Server
If selecting this option, cloud images will be automatically picked up and uploaded to the SFTP server. Provide the SFTP Server Name, SFTP User Name, and SFTP Password, then click Upload and Register.
| After the Cloud Image ZIP archive has been registered, it will appear as an image under Cloud Images in the Cloud console and can be used to create a Cloud Deployment Package. |
Adding Drivers
Complete the following steps to add drivers.
1. Launch Imaging Server.
2. Click Drivers.
3. Click Browse and select the folder where the driver packages are located.
4. Click Next.
5. Select the driver packages you want to add and click Next.
6. Select Add Tags if preferred and specify the tags separated by commas.
7. To change your selection, click Back. To add the selected drivers to the server, click Next.
8. You can delete the driver packages by clicking the delete icon under Action.
9. To add another driver, click Add Driver.
Creating Cloud Drivers
Cloud Drivers are driver packages stored on HTTP/S or SFTP servers.
Complete the following steps to create Cloud Drivers.
1. Launch Imaging Server.
2. Click Drivers.
3. Select the drivers to be included in the Cloud Driver group and click Create Cloud Drivers.
4. Specify the folder for creating the Cloud Driver Group ZIP Archive, then click Next.
5. After the Cloud Driver Group ZIP Archive has been created, you have the option to:
> Use HTTP/S Server
To use this option, cloud driver groups must be uploaded to a publicly accessible web server or cloud storage provider that supports HTTP/S endpoint (make note of where the driver groups are located in your cloud storage). In the Cloud Driver Group ZIP Archive URL field, enter the URL where the cloud driver group was uploaded, then click Register Cloud Driver Group.
> Upload to SFTP Server
If selecting this option, cloud driver groups will be automatically picked up and uploaded to the SFTP server. Provide the SFTP Server Name, SFTP User Name, SFTP Password and Cloud Driver Group Name, then click Upload and Register.
| Click Open Folder to view the list of existing cloud driver groups in the local directory. Click Cancel to view the list of cloud driver groups that have been added to the utility. Note that clicking Cancel will bring you to the drivers list page and any changes or progress made are not saved. |
| You can store multiple driver groups in the same server, however each driver group must have its own link. |
| After the Cloud Driver Group ZIP archive has been registered, it will appear as a driver group in the Cloud console and can be used to create a Cloud Deployment Package. |
Driver Tags
You can edit or remove tags for a single or multiple drivers.
When creating tags for a single driver select the driver then click Edit Tags. Specify the tags separated by commas, then click Save.
When creating tags for multiple drivers select the driver then click Append Tags. Specify the tags separated by commas, then click Save. The specified tags will be appended to all selected drivers.
USB Media Creator
Complete the following steps to create a bootable USB drive.
1. Launch Imaging Server.
2. Click USB Media Creator.
3. Select the Deployment Package and Policy.
4. Select Target USB Drive if creating a bootable USB flash drive, or
5. Select USB Creator Package Path: and specify the folder in the local computer to create the Installation Media Creator Package.
6. Select Use Product Key Stored in UEFI Firmware. When selected, the product key embedded in the UEFI firmware will be detected and automatically included in the installation media.
7. Click Edit to configure the partitions, assign the volume labels and partition sizes.
In addition to the EFI and Windows system partition, up to 2 more partitions can be configured. All partitions will be formatted using NTFS.
8. Click Start.
| The created USB Media Package (.exe file) contains the policy and package that was selected during the package creation. You can use the USB Media Package to create a USB bootable media on any computer by launching the .exe file from the package and selecting a USB drive. |
On the Cloud
1. Create Install Settings.
2. Create Deployment Packages.
3. Deploy the Images.
Once the Imaging Server has been set up with images, you will be able to deploy (install) a new Windows image on any computer running the Imaging Client from the Deep Freeze Cloud Console without having to physically visit the computer.