In order to test the basic imaging operations covered in Getting Started, you need a minimum setup of one ZfD server, one 32-bit Windows* workstation, and three high-density diskettes.
The following sections cover the details of why these items are needed and how to prepare them:
Although it is possible to image a workstation without connecting to a server (by booting the workstation from diskettes or a CD), it is easier and more typical to connect to a server to perform imaging operations. One reason for this is that workstation images are typically quite large (even if compressed), and so having a server to store them on is helpful. Also, burning CDs and configuring workstations to boot from them are not always convenient. Accordingly, the imaging tests covered in Getting Started will use an imaging server. Here are the requirements for this server:
| Server Must Have | Because |
|---|---|
A fixed IP address |
When you connect to the imaging server during a workstation imaging operation, you must do so using the fixed IP address or DNS name of the imaging server. |
Enough space to store a workstation image |
The workstation images that you take during your tests will be stored on the imaging server. Unless you use compression for your workstation images, they are nearly the same size as the data on the workstation hard disk, which could be hundreds of MB. |
The Imaging and Automatic Workstation Import components of ZfD installed |
These software components enable the server to act as an imaging server and to register workstations in NDS® for unattended imaging operations. If you have already done a typical ZfD installation on the server, the server is ready to act as an imaging server. If not, use the following steps to install the needed components:
|
As mentioned in the previous section, it is possible (but typically not as convenient) to image a workstation without connecting to the network. It is also possible to image non-Windows computers, but such operations can't be fully automated through NDS and the images can only be raw, bit-by-bit images of the entire hard disk, as opposed to customizable, file-by-file images of the data only. For these reasons, the imaging tests covered in Getting Started will use a network-connected Windows workstation. Here are the requirements for this workstation:
| Workstation Must Have | Because |
|---|---|
A supported Ethernet card |
The workstation must connect with the imaging server to store or retrieve the images used in your tests. This connection is made when the workstation is under the control of the ZfD imaging engine (which is a Linux application), not when the workstation is running under Windows. Therefore, make sure the workstation has one of the Supported Ethernet Cards listed in Workstation Imaging in Administration. |
Windows 95, 98, NT, or 2000 installed |
Your imaging tests will include unattended operations that are currently supported only on 32-bit Windows platforms. |
15 MB free disk space |
Unless you are using PXE, your imaging tests will include unattended operations that require a small ZfD imaging (Linux) partition to be installed on the workstation hard disk, so that the imaging engine can gain control on bootup. It is permissible for the 15 MB free space to be inside an existing partition. |
Standard hardware architecture |
NEC* PC98 architecture is not supported. |
PXE enabled |
If you are using Preboot Services, PXE must be enabled either in the BIOS or through a PXE boot disk. See Preboot Services for more information. |
As mentioned in the previous section, the imaging engine that performs the actual imaging of the workstation is a Linux application. Therefore, the workstation must be booted to Linux temporarily while the imaging is performed. This means you need to prepare a bootable device that has the Linux kernel, ZfD imaging engine, and network drivers installed. Generally, you can use diskettes, a CD, or a small hard-disk partition. If you use PXE, these Linux components are downloaded to the workstation when it boots if there is imaging work to do. The imaging tests covered in Getting Started will make use of diskettes initially and a hard-disk partition later on. For now, just create the imaging diskettes as follows:
Format three high-density diskettes, or use preformatted blank diskettes. If you need the imaging diskettes to include support for booting your test workstation with a non-English keyboard, you'll need a fourth diskette.
Browse to the ZENWORKS\IMAGING folder in your ZfD installation (on the imaging server) and run ZIMGBOOT.EXE.
HINT: You can also start ZIMGBOOT.EXE in ConsoleOne by clicking Tools > ZENworks Utilities > Imaging > Create or Modify Boot Diskette.
On the screen that appears, near the bottom under Imaging Proxy Server Address, enter either the fixed IP address or the full DNS name of your imaging server.
For the other fields and options on the screen, keep the default settings unless you have a specific reason to change a setting, such as to include support for a non-English keyboard. Click Help for details on specific settings.
Click Create Boot Disk 1 > insert the first diskette > click OK.
When the first diskette has been created, click Create Boot Disk 2 > insert the second diskette > click OK.
When the second diskette has been created, click Create Boot Disk 3 > insert the third diskette > click OK.
If you need the imaging diskettes to include support for a non-English keyboard, when the third diskette has been created, click Create Language Disk > insert the fourth diskette > click OK. Otherwise, skip this step.
When the last (third or fourth) diskette has been created, click Close.