WDS Requirements

Windows Deployment Services (WDS) Requirements

BY- Hri Shyam 06.05.2018

Here are the requirements for WDS:

1. Operating System –> WDS is included with Windows Server 2003 with Service Pack 2, Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2008 R2 and Windows Server 2012.

2. Active Directory –> The WDS server must be a member of a domain or be a domain controller in the domain. The latter is not recommended in a non-small network.

If the WDS server is not joined to a domain, the following event occurs when you want to add it for the first time inWindows Deployment Services console:

Note: The AD DS domain and forest versions are irrelevant; all domain and forest configurations support Windows Deployment Services.

3. DHCP Server –> The PXE clients must be able to get an IP address that allows them to communicate with the WDS server.

Note: The preferred method is to install WDS on a member server that is not running the DHCP Server role.

4. NTFS Volume –> The image store is where the boot and installation images will be located. this must be on an NTFS volume on the WDS server.

5. Credentials –> You must have local administrator rights to install WDS on the server. Enterprise Administrator rights in the Active Directory forest are required to authorize the WDS server as a DHCP server so it can respond to PXE clients. Domain users will be able to access WDS deployment services from a PXE client. Note that authorization for Windows Server 2008 R2 WDS servers is optional.

Note: You cannot deploy WDS on a computer running a Server Core edition of Windows Server 2008, 2008 R2 and Windows Server 2012.