Deployment Workshops and Scenarios Workshop

Deployment workshops and scenarios Workshop

September 2005

Table of Contents

I. OS Deployment overview ...... 3 II. Deploy through the network, the HDD/partition images is located in the LAN...... 4 II.1. Variants of image creation process ...... 4 II.1.1. Disk imaging over the network in manual mode (Linux environment)...... 4 II.1.1.1. Configuring network connections in the Linux environment ...... 5 II.1.1.2 Disk imaging of a “Master PC” onto mounted network share...... 15 II.1.2. Disk imaging over the network in manual mode (Windows environment) ...... 22 II.1.2.1. Mapping network drive ...... 23 II.1.2.2. Disk imaging of a “Master PC” onto mapped network share ...... 25 II.1.3. Disk imaging over the network in automatic mode (Windows environment) ...... 32 II.1.3.1. Generating script for disk imaging of a “Master PC” onto mapped network share...... 33 II.1.3.2. Executing script for disk imaging of a “Master PC” onto mapped network share ...... 43 II.2. Variants of deployment methods...... 44 II.2.1. Deployment over the network in manual mode (Linux environment)...... 44 II.2.1.1. Deployment of a “Client PC” over the network...... 44 III. Deploy from the bootable CD/DVD, archive is located on the CD/DVD...... 49 III.1. Variants of images/bootable CD/DVD creation process ...... 49 III.1.1. Burning backup images under Windows environment...... 49 III.1.1.1. Burning backup images of a “Master PC” to CD or DVD ...... 50 III.1.2. Creation of customize bootable Recovery CD with preliminary prepared backup images..... 58 III.1.2.1. Custom Recovery CD structure, general components ...... 59 III.1.2.2. Preparing a custom CD/DVD ...... 61 III.1.2.3. Script example ...... 65 III.1.2.4. MENU.CFG file example ...... 67 III.2. Variants of deployment methods ...... 68 III.2.1. Booting from custom CD/DVD and restore in automatic or manual mode ...... 68 III.2.1.1. Restore in automatic mode...... 68 III.2.1.2. Restore in manual mode...... 72 IV. Deploy through the network using PXE environment...... 74 IV.1. Creation of a partition backup image...... 75 IV.2. Restoration of a partition backup image...... 84

I. OS Deployment overview

This document describes a number of variants of image creation process and it deployment as over LAN as well as using bootable CDs/DVDs with backup images, under Linux, Windows and PXE environment.

To help you to choose a suitable variant of OS deployment we prepared graphical scheme which reflect all available variants and combinations.

II. Deploy through the network, the HDD/partition images is located in the LAN

Introduction

It’s well known that installing OS and all necessary software on bare metal system is routine and very long process, if you don’t use any special solution, which allows pre-load OS in unattended mode. This chapter describes how to prepare disk imaged for pre-loading OS and software on bare-metal systems over network

II.1. Variants of image creation process

II.1.1. Disk imaging over the network in manual mode (Linux environment)

In order to perform disk imaging over the network in manual mode (Linux environment), the user should perform following steps:

1. Install an OS on a “Master PC” (which will be backed up for deployment); 2. Burn Recovery CD for Paragon Hard Disk Manager 7.0 Deployment (you can download it from updates page for Deployment Manager 7.0 Standard or Professional Edition); 3. Boot “Master PC” with the Recovery CD; 4. Configure network connection; 5. Perform backup of a system partition or an entire hard disk onto mounted network share; 6. Boot “Client PCs” with Recovery CD, mount network share with an image of a system partition/entire hard disk and perform restore.

II.1.1.1. Configuring network connections in the Linux environment

1. Turn your “Master PC” on and place the Paragon Hard Disk Manager Linux Boot CD into the tray of your CD/DVD drive.

2. Change the BIOS settings to boot from the CD/DVD drive first.

3. Wait for the CD Boot Menu to load.

4. In the main menu select either “Start recovery process (Linux)” item. These options provide the network support. Linux loading process continues.

5. Wait while the system will be started, select the “Configure network connections” item and press “Enter”

6. The “Network Configuration Wizard” appears. Click “Next” to continue setup.

7. On the “Load config file” page you can select file with network configuration settings if it was saved before. If you haven’t got your own configuration file click “Next” to start auto detecting NIC-adapters.

8. Wait while the system will auto detect your network adapters

On this page you can enter hostname for the computer and enable/disable network adapter (using “Disable”/”Enable” button). Also if your NIC-card is not detected please click “Add a device” to select appropriate one from the list of available drivers

9. If your network adapter was detected correctly, click “Configure selected” button to configure selected network interface

There are two ways to adjust the options: • if your network has a static addressing mode, then fill in the “IP address”, “Network mask”, “Default gateway”, “DNS servers” and “Wins server” boxes (contact your System Administrator to get correct values); • if your network supports dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP), just check the “Obtain an IP address automatically» option (in this case Linux gives a request to DHCP server to get automatic network settings).

10. If all parameters are correct please click “Restart network” button to apply changes and map network drive or click “Configure another one” to configure another one network interface.

11. The “Configure network connections” wizard appears.

12. Click “Add” to map network share

13. In “Configure network connections” dialog click “Browse” at the opposite of the “Network path” option. Linux starts searching all the shares accessible over your LAN. You may skip this and the following steps if your administrator provides you with the exact name of the shared resource. You can type this name in the “Network path” box manually.

14. When the search is completed another dialog “Select a share point” appears where you can select any available to work with. If the target computer requires login/password to connect to its resources, please fill in “User name” and “Password” boxes.

15. You should point Linux where to mount the shared resource specified above (if you do not like automatically generated name). Click “Browse” at the opposite of the “Mount point” option and select where to mount the network resource. For example, /mnt/, where is the name of the resource you intend to mount. Also, you can directly type the name of the mount point. Click “OK” to mount network resource.

You can add more connections if you like.

16. Click “Next” and “Finish”

II.1.1.2 Disk imaging of a “Master PC” onto mounted network share

In order to backup “Master PC” onto a mounted network share for future deployment, you should perform following tasks:

• Burn Recovery CD for Hard Disk Manager 7.0 Deployment • Boot “Master PC” with the Recovery CD • Configure network connections and mount network share (see Chapter I.1.1.1.) • Backup “Master PC” onto a mounted network share

Step-by-step workflow to perform backup over network using Recovery CD:

1. Now you can save backup images onto mounted network share. Select “Backup/Restore partitions” item to start backup/restore process.

2. Wait for Hard Disk Manager to load

3. In order to start backup operation the user should take the following steps:

a. Select a partition you want to backup on the Disk Map or on the List of Partitions. b. Call the "Create an image of partition" dialog to define appropriate settings. There are several ways to do it: • Select in the main menu: “Partition” > “Create an image of partition” • Call the popup menu for the selected partition in any of layout panels (right click of the mouse button) then select the menu item: “Create an image of partition”. • Press Alt+B keyboard combination • Press “Create an image of partition button” on the Task pane.

c. “Create an image of partition” dialog appears.

Define properties of the future backup image with the "Create an image of partition" dialog. Initially the program suggests some consistent values for all parameters. In most cases, the user may just press “Backup” button to confirm the operation.

The "Create an image of partition" dialog has two tabs, two kinds of settings - General and Advanced.

General properties for the backup image include:

• Compression level. Compression may significantly decrease the backup image size, but it reduces the overall operation performance. The default compression level is defined in the program settings (see the Backup Image settings chapter). The approximate size of the backup archive will be displayed below the Compression level menu. • Archive text comment. Associate a short description with the image. • Backup destination. The program generates the default image filename by using drive letter (or partition number) and suggests placing the image on the local drive having the maximum value of free space. The user may assign another filename, or select another drive or directory by pressing the Browse button. d. Click “Browse” at the opposite of the “Archive name” option and select where to save backup image. As we need to save it onto network share, please move to the directory which was selected as “mount point” at the step 15 and enter file name for backup image.

Click “Save”

e. Advanced properties for the backup image include:

“Do not control archive integrity”

The option controls the generation of the integrity validation code while creating backup archives. With this option deactivated, the program has a 2-7% performance gain, but the probability of occurring faults increases.

“Process all sectors, one by one”

If this option is marked, copying and imaging of partitions and hard disks will be fulfilled in the sector-by-sector mode.

If this option is inactive, operations of copying and imaging may be fulfilled in the fast- copying mode for partitions of supported file systems. If there are partitions of other file system types on the disk with DOS partitioning scheme, HDM will copy partitions of supported file system types in fast-copying mode, and will switch to sector-by-sector mode to copy partitions of other file system types.

“Skip OS auxiliary files”

This option allows the program to ignore unimportant files when creating backup archives. This saves time and reduces the size of the backup archive. If the option is activated, the current version of the program ignores the contents of the PAGEFILE.SYS and HIBERFIL.SYS system files on NTFS partitions, but saves the information on their sizes and locations. When restoring an NTFS partition, HDM will generate the contents of these two files.

If this option is disabled, HDM backs up these files along with others on a partition.

“Set image names automatically”

The program will automatically generate filenames for the following volumes of the image. Otherwise, the program will pause after filling each volume to ask the user about the new volume filename until completing the operation.

“Enable image splitting”

Mark this option to enable automatic breaking of large images in multiple volumes. Otherwise, the program will try to place entire image in a single file.

“Maximum split size (MB)”

Define the maximum size of each volume of the image being created. The default value is 2000 Mb.

“Password protection”

Provide the password to be used to access the image. Please note that the program does not allow "empty" passwords. f. Press “Backup” button to start the operation execution or to postpone it. In the last case the appropriate record will be added to the List of Pending operations. To start a pending operation the user should press the Apply button at the foot of the Task pane.

4. Also the program allows backing up all the usable contents of the hard disk or only most important parts of the disk that contain the disk layout information. In case of disk malfunction or corruption of data, the backup image of the hard disk can be used for complete restoration of the system.

Actually the operation of creating backup image of the hard disk is similar to the operation of making images of partitions. In order to start backup operation the user should take the following steps:

a. Select a hard disk you want to backup on the Disk Map or on the List of Partitions (the corresponding record is displayed at the top of the list)

b. Call the "Create an image of hard disk" dialog to define appropriate settings. There are several ways to do it:

• Select in the main menu: “Hard Disk” > “Create an image of hard disk” • Call the popup menu for the selected hard disk in any of layout panels (right click of the mouse button) then select the menu item: “Create an image of hard disk“ • Press Ctrl+B keyboard combination • Press “Create an image of hard disk” button on the Task pane.

c. Define properties of the future backup image with the "Create an image of hard disk" dialog. The dialog has two tabs, two kinds of settings - General and Advanced.

General properties for the backup image include:

• Compression level. Compression may significantly decrease the backup image size, but it reduces the overall operation performance. The approximate size of the backup archive will be displayed below the Compression level menu.

• Archive text comment. Associate a short description with the image

• Hard Disk. Here the user may select what exactly of the disk contents will be placed to the backup image: the entire hard disk, the MBR (Master Boot Record) or the First track

• Backup destination. The user can assign another filename, or select another drive or directory by pressing the Browse button

Advanced properties for the backup image include. The same properties are used for partition backup images so we skip their description here.

d. Press “Backup” button to start the operation execution or to postpone it. In the last case the appropriate record will be added to the List of Pending operations. To start a pending operation the user should press the Apply button at the foot of the Task pane.

5. Press “Apply” button and click “Yes” to perform the operation.

II.1.2. Disk imaging over the network in manual mode (Windows environment)

This chapter describes how to prepare image for pre-loading OS and software on bare-metal systems using Paragon Exact Image 7.0 for Windows environment.

In order to perform disk imaging over the network in manual mode (Linux environment), the user should perform following steps:

1. Install an OS on a “Master PC” (which will be backed up for deployment); 2. Install Paragon Deployment Manager 7.0; 3. Launch Exact Image module; 4. Map network drive; 5. Perform backup of a system partition or an entire hard disk onto mounted network share; 6. Boot “Client PCs” with Recovery CD or from the network with PXE, mount network share with an image of a system partition/entire hard disk and perform restore.

II.1.2.1. Mapping network drive

Step-by-step workflow to map network drive:

1. First you need to map network drive. Launch Windows Explorer, select in the main menu: “Tools” > “Map Network Drive”

2. Specify the drive letter for mapped network drive and shared resource. If the target computer requires login/password to connect to its resources, please click “Cconnect using a different user name” and fill in “User name” and “Password” boxes.

3. Click “Finish” button to complete the operation.

II.1.2.2. Disk imaging of a “Master PC” onto mapped network share

In order to backup “Master PC” onto a mounted network share for future deployment, you should perform following tasks:

• Install Deployment Manager 7.0 onto “Master PC” • Configure network connections and mount network share (see Chapter I.1.2.1.) • Launch Exact Image module • Backup “Master PC” onto mounted network share

Step-by-step workflow to perform backup over network under Windows Environment

1. The partition images can be created with Exact Image under Windows such way:

Connect HDD with the partitions to backup as second HDD to another auxiliary computer with Windows. Recommendation! We recommend to backup partitions with minimal size. A partition cannot be restored if the destination HDD size is less than the partition size within the image.

2. Start up Windows on this auxiliary computer.

3. Launch Exact Image module

4. Startup Exact Image. You will be messaged to create Backup Capsule, press “No”.

5. Select “Backup hard disks or selected partitions” item in the left panel.

6. After starting backup wizard select the source partition to backup and check on “Change backup settings”. Click “Next” to continue.

7. The Backup Wizard allows the user to configure the settings and then start the operation in accordance with the entered parameters. Here the user sets the parameters of the backup operation defining:

• Whether the selected disk (or the selected partition) will be copied in the sector-to-sector mode (including unused sectors as well). • Whether the OS auxiliary files (pagefile.sys, hyberfil.sys) will be included in the backup image. • Whether the operation will be performed without rebooting the system. The program needs to reboot the system in order to have exclusive access to processing data. In a Windows environment this is difficult to achieve because even when all the other applications are closed, the system service programs are still running. However, there is a way to avoid rebooting. The mode of processing the backup operation without rebooting is named Hot Backup. The user is also able to define specific parameters for the Hot Backup mode. • Whether the archive integrity will be controlled. • Compression level for the backup image (including the No compression variant) • Whether the archive will be protected by password. • Whether the archive will be split (if this is the case the user can set the maximum size for the archive files). • Recording speed when the user wants to burn the backup image onto CD/DVDs. • ISO image folder where the archive that is to be recorded on a disc, is placed.

8. Press “Next” to select where to save backup images. Choose ‘Save data to local/network drives.

9. Then select location of the image (mapped network drive ) and set ‘Archive Name’. Click “Next”

10. Select “Back up now” and perform the operation.

11. The partition image will be created in the subfolder with same name.

II.1.3. Disk imaging over the network in automatic mode (Windows environment)

In order to perform disk imaging over the network in manual mode (Windows environment), the user should perform following steps:

1. Install an OS on a “Master PC” (which will be backed up for deployment); 2. Install Deployment Manager 7.0 onto “Master PC”; 3. Configure network connections and mount network share (see Chapter I.1.2.1.); 4. Launch Hard Disk Manager module; 5. Perform “virtual” backup of a system partition or an entire hard disk onto mounted network share; 6. Generate script instead of applying virtual operation; 7. Run script in a batch mode to perform disk imaging; 8. Boot “Client PCs” with Recovery CD, mount network share with an image of a system partition/entire hard disk and perform restore.

II.1.3.1. Generating script for disk imaging of a “Master PC” onto mapped network share

In order to generate script for backing up “Master PC” onto a mounted network share for future deployment, you should perform following tasks:

• Install Deployment Manager 7.0 onto “Master PC”; • Configure network connections and mount network share (see Chapter I.1.2.1.); • Launch Hard Disk Manager module; • Perform “virtual” backup of a system partition or an entire hard disk onto mounted network share; • Generate script instead of applying virtual operation; • Run script in a batch mode to perform disk imaging;

Step-by-step workflow to perform backup over network under Windows Environment in automatic mode

1. The partition images can be created with Hard Disk Manager under Windows such way:

2. Start up Windows on this auxiliary computer.

3. Launch Hard Disk Manager module

4. Startup Hard Disk manager.

5. In order to start backup operation the user should take the following steps:

g. Select a partition you want to backup on the Disk Map or on the List of Partitions. h. Call the "Create an image of partition" dialog to define appropriate settings. There are several ways to do it: • Select in the main menu: “Partition” > “Create an image of partition” • Call the popup menu for the selected partition in any of layout panels (right click of the mouse button) then select the menu item: “Create an image of partition”. • Press Alt+B keyboard combination • Press “Create an image of partition button” on the Task pane.

i. “Create an image of partition” dialog appears.

The "Create an image of partition" dialog has two tabs, two kinds of settings - General and Advanced.

General properties for the backup image include:

Split image Activate the option to enable automatic breaking of large images in multiple volumes. Otherwise, the program will try to place entire image in a single file.

Max image size (MB) This value defines the maximum size of each volume of the image being created. The default value is 600 Mb.

Set split file names automatically When activated, this option forces the program to automatically generate filenames for next volumes of the image.Otherwise, the program will pause after filling each volume to ask the user about the new volume filename until completing the operation. Enable encryption Activate the option to enable ciphering image contents and protect accessing to the image by the password. Encryption reduces the overall operation performance. The deceleration percentage fundamentally depends on the hardware parameters.

Enter password & Confirm password With enabling the encryption, provide the password to be used to access the image. Note: the program does not allow "empty" passwords.

Compression level Here you can change the compression level, in case you are willing to use the value other than the default one. The default compression level is defined in the program settings. Compression may significantly squeeze the backup image size, but it reduces the overall operation performance. The greater level, the higher compression ratio, the slower performance. The deceleration percentage fundamentally depends on the hardware parameters

Archive label

Allows to place custom notes to the image file for easy navigation through images

Image file

Here you can choose the desired filename of the backup image. The program generates the default image filename by using the disk number and the drive letter (or the partition number) and suggests placing the image on the local drive with the maximum value of free space. You can assign another filename, or select another drive or directory by pressing the Browse button. In addition, you can manually enter the desired file name and path to the Image File field.

j. Click “Browse” at the opposite of the “Image file” option and select where to save backup image. As we need to save it onto network share, please move to the directory which was selected as “mount point” at the step 2 (Chapter 2.1) and enter file name for backup image.

k. Click “OK” to complete operation.

6. In order to generate script based on set of virtual operations the user should select in the main menu: “General” > “Generate Script”

7. The appropriate dialog appears. The user is able customizing some supplementary features of the generated script file, such as including of error management, enabling or disabling interactivity with the user and so on.

This dialog allows controlling a script's code that will be generated.

Turn on confirmation When this option is active, the program inserts the command:

confirmation on

This command enables to pause the script execution in order to acquire input information from the user. For example, the program will pause when creating a multivolume archive (with the volume filenames generating option switched off), when the program needs erasing a non- empty rewritable CD and so on. When the confirmation mode is switched off, the program does not pause the script execution. Instead, it behaves as if the user always selects a default answer to each question. In this mode, the program really does not need the user intervention. However, in some cases the program will simply abort operations.

Call Apply after each operation When this option is active, the program inserts the apply all command after each disk management operation. Otherwise, the apply all command will be included only once, after the last operation. The thing is that the script processing module works like the interactive application; it accumulates operations in its own List of Pending Operations. The script command apply all is similar to the Apply action in the interactive application, it forces executing all pending operations. There is the difference between the applying of a large list of pending operations and the stepwise execution of multiple operations, e.g. in case of processing of locked partitions. See the Paragon Scripting Language Manual for more details.

Check for errors after each operation When this option is active, the program inserts a code, which checks the status of a last executed operation and halts the script processing on errors of any kind. This feature is useful, if a set of operations should be applied to the same partition. If some operation fails for any reason, the error checking code cancels sequent data modifications and prevents them from further corruption. In some situations, this feature can be a drawback, if operations are independent from each other. For example, a backup operator wrote a script that creates an incremental backup of first two partitions of all hard disks, and he intends using this script for unattended processing of office computers. On computers having only single partitions on the 1st disk, this script wouldn't save contents of other hard disks. In case of switching off the error checking (at least between independent operations), the program will save all available partitions.

Put current settings into script file When this option is active, the program inserts the actual program's settings to the settings ... endsettings section. Otherwise, the program omits the settings ... endsettings section.

8. Finally, the program suggests choosing a filename for a new script file. The default file extension that is reserved for scripting files is .PSL. However, a script can be saved under any filename.

II.1.3.2. Executing script for disk imaging of a “Master PC” onto mapped network share

1. All versions of the Script Interpreter have similar usage rules. It supports several command line keys. To obtain the usage prompt, one should run the utility from the command line with – h parameter:

scripts.exe –h

The program will display the prompt screen:

2. The SCRIPTS.EXE utility is located in the same directory with the Windows-based application. By default, it is the folder:

C:\Program Files\...\Hard Disk Manager\WinHDM

3. To run script, you should run following command:

scripts.exe \.psl

II.2. Variants of deployment methods

II.2.1. Deployment over the network in manual mode (Linux environment)

II.2.1.1. Deployment of a “Client PC” over the network

This chapter describes how to restore “Client PCs” from image placed on a mounted network share. The user should perform following tasks:

• Prepare backup images and place them onto network share (see Chapter I.1.1. , Chapter I.1.2. , Chapter I.1.3.) • Burn Recovery CD for Hard Disk Manager 7.0 Deployment • Boot “Client PC” with the Recovery CD • Configure network connections and mount network share (see Chapter I.1.1.1.) • Restore “Client PC” from image placed on a mounted network share

Step-by-step workflow to perform restore over network using Recovery CD:

1. Restoration from image is another primary function of the program that is complementary to the Backup operation. Select “Backup/Restore partitions” item to start restore process.

2. Wait for Hard Disk Manager to load

3. The program allows restoring images over existing partitions. In this case, the following constraint should be taken into account: the program is unable to use the image that is located (or holds some of its volumes) on the partition being restored.

The program does not allow restoring images of hard disks over partitions or over blocks of free space.

To inspect the image type and the image contents, use the Show Archive Info function (Main menu: “General”>“Show Archive Info”).

4. In order to restore partition or hard disk from backup image the user should take the following steps:

a. Select a partition, where an archived partition will be restored to, in the Disk Map or on the List of Partitions

b. Call the "Select archive" dialog to select a backup image to be restored. There are the several ways to do it:

• Select in the main menu: “Partition” > “Restore partition from image” • Call the popup menu for the selected partition in any of layout panels (right click of the mouse button) then select the menu item: Restore partition from image • Press Alt+R keyboard combination • Press the Restore partition from image button on the Task pane

c. Move to the directory which was selected as “mount point” at the step 15 to select one of the previously made backup images. Backup image files have *.pbf extension. Click “Open” button.

d. Define properties of the restoring partition with the "Restore image on partition" dialog. Initially the program suggests some consistent values for all parameters. In most cases, the user may just press “Restore” button to confirm the operation.

• Partition preview. This disk map displays the future partition layout after the restoring operation.

• New size. This slider defines the size (in Mb) of the restored partition. The current value reflects the real size of archived partition. Increasing the size the user increases the unused space of the partition.

• Free space before. This slider defines the position (in Mb) of the restored partition relative to the beginning of the available range of disk space.

• Free space after. This slider defines the amount of trailing free space (in Mb)at the end of the available range of disk space. e. Press “Restore” button to start the operation execution or to postpone it. In the last case the appropriate record will be added to the List of Pending operations. To start a pending operation the user should press “Apply” button at the foot of the Task pane.

In case of using multivolume image, the program may pause and display the Select Archive dialog to ask the user for the next volume filename and location. This is not the usual behavior of the program. The program pauses the restoration only in the following cases: • some volumes of the image were moved or renamed • volumes are located on removable media

5. Restore Hard Disk from Backup Image

In terms of the program, a "restoration of hard disks" means retrieving all informational components of a hard disk: all partitions, the Partition Table and bootstrap code. During the operation, the program destroys all previous disk contents and replaces them with saved ones.

The program allows restoring the following objects: • all disk contents from images of the hard disk; • 1st track from images of the 1st track; • MBR bootstrap code from images of the MBR

Actually the operation of restoring the hard disk from backup image is similar to the operation of restoring of partitions. In order to start restore operation the user should take the following steps:

a. Select a hard disk, where an archived partition will be restored to, in the Disk Map or on the List of Partitions.

b. Call the "Select archive" dialog to select a backup image to be restored. There are the several ways to do it:

• Select in the main menu: “Hard Disk” > “Restore Hard Disk from Image” • Call the popup menu for the selected hard disk in any of layout panels (right click of the mouse button) then select the menu item: “Restore Hard Disk from Image” • Press Ctrl+R keyboard combination • Press “Restore Hard Disk from Image” button on the Task pane.

c. Select one of previously made backup images of the hard disk. Backup image files have *.pbf extension. Click the Open button.

d. Define properties of the restoring hard disk with the "Restore image on disk" dialog. The top part of the dialog displays the layout of the archived hard disk. Below there is a list of partitions included into the disk archive. The user can either select a partition and restore it from the archive, or select restoration of entire hard disk. The dialog also displays complete information on the hard disk or partitions selected on the list.

e. Press the Restore button to start the operation execution or to postpone it. In the last case the appropriate record will be added to the List of Pending operations. To start a pending operation the user should press the Apply button at the foot of the Task pane.

III. Deploy from the bootable CD/DVD, archive is located on the CD/DVD

Introduction

This chapter describes how to burn bootable backup image for pre-loading OS and software on bare-metal systems for future deployment using Paragon Exact Image 7.0 for Windows environment. Bootable archives are created by adding a special bootable section when the user is backing up the data to CD/DVDs. The user is able to restore the data from these archives without having to run the program, but by simply booting from these CD/DVDs.

OS deployment requires performing of following steps:

7. Install an OS on a “Master PC” (which will be backed up for deployment); 8. Install Paragon Deployment Manager 7.0; 9. Launch Exact Image module; 10. Burn bootable backup image of a system partition or an entire hard disk of a “Master PC” onto CD/DVD; 11. Boot “Client PCs” with bootable CD with backup images and perform restore.

III.1. Variants of images/bootable CD/DVD creation process

III.1.1. Burning backup images under Windows environment

In order to burn bootable backup image of a system partition/entire hard disk of a “Master PC” onto a CD/DVD for future deployment, the user should perform following tasks:

• Install Deployment Manager 7.0 onto “Master PC” • Launch Exact Image module • Burn backup image of a “Master PC” onto CD/DVD

III.1.1.1. Burning backup images of a “Master PC” to CD or DVD

Step-by-step workflow to perform backup over network under Windows Environment

1. The partition images can be created with Exact Image under Windows such way:

2. Start up Windows on this auxiliary computer.

3. Launch Exact Image module

4. Startup Exact Image. You will be messaged to create Backup Capsule, press “No”.

5. Select “Backup hard disks or selected partitions” item in the left panel.

6. After starting backup wizard select the source partition to backup and check on “Change backup settings”. Click “Next” to continue.

8. Press “Next” to select where to save backup images. Choose “Burn the data to CD or DVD”.

9. Then select a recorder to burn archive images to and set “Archive Name”. Click “Next”

10. Select “Back up now” and perform the operation.

11. The partition image will be burned to CD or DVD. In case the image size is too big to be placed on one single CD/DVD the image will be split between several CD/DVDs.

All CD/DVDs created with Exact Image 7.x are bootable. But after booting from an incorrect CD/DVD you will be asked to insert the main CD/DVD. As for a partition archive is concerned the main CD/DVD is always the first one, but dealing with an HDD archive the main CD/DVD is the last one. During the restore process you will be asked to insert the necessary CD/DVD.

III.1.2. Creation of customize bootable Recovery CD with preliminary prepared backup images

This chapter describes how to create custom bootable Recovery CD/DVD with preliminary prepared backup image (images can be prepared by any of available variants as it is described for the Deployment over the network in manual mode (Linux environment) method)

OS deployment requires performing of following steps:

1. Install an OS on a “Master PC” (which will be backed up for deployment); 2. Install Paragon Deployment Manager 7.0; 3. Launch Exact Image module; 4. Prepare backup images; 5. Create custom menu (MENU.CFG, START.BAT) and prepare scripts; 6. Burn customizable bootable Recovery CD/DVD with preliminary prepared backup images and customized menu; 7. Boot “Client PCs” with bootable CD with backup images and perform restore.

III.1.2.1. Custom Recovery CD structure, general components

The CD includes DOS and Linux environments:

Boot loader files: .\BOOT\ .\BM.BIN .\BM_HIDE .\BM_MBR .\BM_STAT .\BOOT.CATALOG .\BZIMAGE .\CD_PLG.EXE .\DOS.ENG .\LILO.GER .\MEMDISK

Boot loader boots: .\DOS.IMG - DOS diskette image or .\INITRD.GZ – packed Linux image

To show Linux menu file .\MENU.CFG is required.

Without the file MENU.CFG, standard Hard Disk Manager Deployment engine is started in Linux mode.

Without the file START.BAT Simple Recovery Wizard is started in DOS mode otherwise custom START.BAT is started.

From the main menu can be started Hard Disk Manager (“Start recovery process (Linux)”), Simple recovery Wizard (“Start recovery process (DOS)”) to work in manual mode or paragon engine scripts (up to 5), if there is custom MENU.CFG on CD/DVD: .\PSRSCRIPT1.PSL .. .\PSRSCRIPT5.PSL

The example MENU.CFG is to display Linux menu to start 3 scripts:

3 supplied example scripts are: PSRSCRIPT1.PSL – Restore all partitions onto first HDD PSRSCRIPT2.PSL – Restore the partition onto second HDD PSRSCRIPT3.PSL – Restore all partitions onto both HDD

Partitions images imageXX.xxx should be located in the root of this CD (see Chapter I.1.2.2. which ): image11.xxx – the image of the system partition image12.xxx – the second partition for the first HDD image21.xxx - the partition for the second HDD

The main changeable DOS batch file is

./start.bat

This file starts after DOS booting and CD/DVD-ROM mounting. Insert this file with other customizable DOS files. (see How to prepare custom CD/DVD) III.1.2.2. Preparing a custom CD/DVD

Step-by-step workflow to create custom Recovery CD/DVD with preliminary prepared backup images:

The supplied DeployCD.iso ISO-image is necessary to prepare final Recovery CD. It is need to add on the final CD/DVD files: - MENU.CFG; - script files PSRSCRIPT1.PSL…PSRSCRIPTx.PSL; - and partition images imageXX.xxx; - file start.bat to be started under DOS - other file required under DOS

Important! The names of the files MENU.CFG, PSRSCRIPT1.PSL… PSRSCRIPTx.PSL and partition images are CASE-SENSITIVE!

We supply default MENU.CFG, PSRSCRIPT1.PSL, PSRSCRIPT2.PSL PSRSCRIPT3.PSL, start.bat and other DOS files to build the final CD/DVD (see the folder \customfiles in the package)

Step-by-step workflow to prepare custom CD/DVD:

1. Install Deployment Manager

2. Launch Exact Image module

3. Replace the file \ISO\srw_en.iso by customizable Recovery CD ISO image of the CD/DVD (DeployCD.iso)

Important! As DeployCD.iso will be customized, we strongly recommend you to keep original ISO-image untouched and create copy of it for customizing!

4. Prepare partition images with Exact Image (see Chapter I.1.2.2.)

5. If it is necessary modify script files PSRSCRIPTX.PSL (see Chapter II.1.2.3.)

6. If it is necessary edit file MENU.CFG (see Chapter II.1.2.4.)

7. If it is necessary modify main DOS batch file start.bat and other DOS files

8. Startup Exact Image. You will be messaged to create Backup Capsule, press No.

9. Start Recovery Media Builder from the left panel

10. Select CD/DVD as Recovery Media Type

11. Select Advanced option and click “Browse” to browse DeployCD.iso ISO-image

12. Add custom MENU.CFG, PSRSCRIPT1.PSL… PSRSCRIPTx.PSL, start.bat, partition images and other DOS file onto the CD

13. The user is able to save (“Save list” button) or load (“Load list” button) list of custom files (PSRSCRIPT1.PSL..PSRSCRIPT5.PSL, MENU.CFG, imageXX.xxx,start.bat).

14. Select CD/DVD Burner and burn the final custom CD/DVD

III.1.2.3. Script example

Let consider main parts of the example script PSRSCRIPT1.PSL to restore the partitions onto the HDD. This script works under DOS and Linux.

First standard Paragon Engine options initialized:

settings surfacetest off verify off copyonetoone off … autoconverttofat32 on sidparams "" hotbackup lockimpossible tempdrive C endsettings

// Turn off confirmation confirm off

Then parameters of the script are set. - the number of the HDD to restore, and - partition images to restore, - images path (used for DOS):

set value disknum = 0 set string img1 = "/image11.pbf" set string img2 = "/image12.pbf" set string imgpath = "$(DIRECTORY)/../.."

goto start_script

Under Linux is required to find the CD-Rom with the images. The function find_linux_file is used for it. The image should be located in the CD root:

find_linux_file: set string template = "/mnt/cdrom" set value counter = 0 … while ((value(now_time) + 120 >= nowtime) and (value(done) == 0)) endcall

In the case of Linux – call function

start_script:

if (os == linux) then call find_linux_file endif

Verification that image file exists:

if (not(fileexist(string(imgpath) + string(img1)))) then print "File was not found" print "" goto error_out endif

Select HDD to operate. Write standard MBR and delete all partitions:

select disk value(disknum) update mbr delete all

Check errors virtually, apply the operation physically and check errors again. Such section is used to execute the operations the physically:

// Check for errors call check_error

// Apply all scheduled operations apply all

// Check for errors call check_error

Restore the partition from image and enlarge it up to 60Gb:

// Restore img = string(imgpath) + string(img1) select partition primary 0 select image all resize image 60000 * 1024 restore

Create extended partition:

// Partition creation print "Partition creation" print "" select partition primary 1 create /fs = extended /size = SIZEPARTITION (value(disknum),1)

Restore the partition from image as logical and enlarge it up to max

// Restore img = string(imgpath) + string(img2) select partition logical 0 select image all resize image max restore

III.1.2.4. MENU.CFG file example

The file MENU.CFG is to initialize Linux Menu. To manipulate amounts of items in the menu –

add/change appropriate sections [LINEx]. Do not edit other sections.

For example, to start paragon script follow section is available:

[LINE1] Title = Restore first HDD Title.de = Restore first HDD Title.fr = Restore first HDD Title.pl = Restore first HDD Title.jp = Restore first HDD Icon = pic/db.bmp ExCode = 2 ExString= RunPScr1 Hint = "Restore first HDD"

Title.de – The name of the menu item (German localization) ExString = RunPScr1 – is indication to start script PSRSCRIPT1.PSL in the root of the CD/DVD.

To start script PSRSCRIPT2.PSL the string

ExString = RunPScr2 should be used.

III.2. Variants of deployment methods

III.2.1. Booting from custom CD/DVD and restore in automatic or manual mode

This chapter describes how to restore “Client PCs” from image placed on a custom Recovery CD.

The user should perform following tasks:

• Prepare backup images (see Chapter I.1.1. , Chapter I.1.2. , Chapter I.1.3.) • Create customized Recovery CD/DVD (see Chapter II.1.2.) • Burn customized Recovery CD/DVD with preliminary prepared backup images • Boot “Client PC” with the customized Recovery CD • Restore “Client PC” from image placed on the customized Recovery CD/DVD in manual or automatic mode

III.2.1.1. Restore in automatic mode

In order to restore “Client PCs” from image placed on the custom CD/DVD, the user should perform following tasks:

• Prepare customized Recovery CD with preliminary prepared backup images (see Chapter II.1.2.) • Boot “Client PC” with the customized Recovery CD/DVD • Select “Start recovery process (Linux)” • Run one of available scripts to restore “Client PC”

Step-by-step workflow to perform deployment using custom Recovery CD:

1. Boot “Client PC” with custom Recovery CD/DVD with backup archives, scripts and customize menu (see Chapter II.1.2. to prepare custom CD/DVD )

2. Select “Start recovery process (Linux)” in order to restore “Client PC” in automatic mode

3. Wait for customized menu to load

4. To restore in automatic mode, please select appropriate menu item: “Restore first HDD”, “Restore second HDD” or “Restore both HDDs”. (Note, menu and scripts can be customized by the user and may have different names and functionality)

5. Wait for operation to be completed.

III.2.1.2. Restore in manual mode

In order to restore “Client PCs” from image placed on the custom CD/DVD, the user should perform following tasks:

• Prepare customized Recovery CD/DVD with preliminary prepared backup images (see Chapter II.1.2.) • Boot “Client PC” with the customized Recovery CD/DVD • Select “Start recovery process (Linux)” • Launch Hard Disk Manager • Perform manual restore of a “Client PC” in manual mode

Step-by-step workflow to perform deployment using custom Recovery CD:

1. Boot “Client PC” with custom Recovery CD/DVD with backup archives, scripts and customize menu (see Chapter II.1.2. to prepare custom CD/DVD )

2. Select “Start recovery process (Linux)” in order to restore “Client PC” in automatic mode

3. Wait for customized menu to load

4. Select “Backup/Restore partition” in order to launch Hard Disk Manager engine

All other steps for restoration are similar to those which were described for the Deployment over the network in manual mode (Linux environment) method, except one thing: the user should restore partition or entire disk from images placed on the custom CD/DVD instead of mounted network share.

IV. Deploy through the network using PXE environment

Introduction

Overview This document provides step-by-step instructions on setting up the PXE environment to create and deploy a partition image of any PC in the LAN with PXE-enabled network card using Deployment Manager Tools. PXE server can be run under Windows or Linux operating systems and PXE client can be booted using DOS or Linux operating systems.

The Issue In case there are no internal CD-ROMs or floppy disk drives in most PC systems and it is not possible to connect them, restoring or backuping for these PCs must be performed through the LAN even if all backup images are located on another PC.

The Solution Restoring and backuping can be managed centrally from the server using the PXE scheme (see the PC Deployment over network using PXE environment document), which is particularly useful in managing PSs that needs frequent backup or restore. The PXE solution is recommended in the event you don’t have external CD-ROMs or other storage media for restoring or backuping.

IV.1. Creation of a partition backup image

1. Setting up PXE Server

Using the PC Deployment over network using PXE environment document which is included in the Deployment Manager package you can easily set up PXE Server that can be run under Windows or Linux. For example, we will use the Workshop №1- using Microsoft Software (DHCP and TFTPD) to set up PXE Server. To carry out the steps below you should (see the PC Deployment over network using PXE environment document):

a. Set up and start up DHCP and TFTPD servers;

e. Copy the bzImage and initrd.gz files from the PXE Network Deployment Package to the C:\tftpdroot folder; f. Copy the pxelinux.0 and memdisk files from the Syslinux package to the C:\tftpdroot folder; g. Create the pxelinux.cfg folder in the C:\tftpdroot one; h. Create the default file in the pxelinux.cfg folder and insert the following lines: label linux kernel bzImage append ip=auto append initrd=initrd.gz ramdisk_size=256000 splash=silent quite eng_ver vga=788 root=/dev/ram0 ipappend 1

i. Go to Start -> Run and type regedit. Add the folder \HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\ System\CurrentControlSet\Services\TFTPD\Parameters. In the Parameters folder, add a String Value called Directory, with a value of the TFTP root directory path (C:\tftpboot).

2. Setting up PXE Client

To do PXE boot on the PC, press F12 during the BIOS POST, this will skip the boot sequence setting in BIOS and go directly to network boot. You can also go to the BIOS and set LAN as First Boot Device.

3. Booting PXE Client

4. Configure Network Connections

Select Configure network connections in the Startup menu. Then you will see the Network Configurator that will help you to setup your network environment.

Press Next to start the wizard.

In the following dialog you can see all network devices that were found during autodetection process. If someone device is not present, press the Add a device button to add it manually. Use the Hostname box to name the PXE Client as you wish. Select a network device and press Next.

In the appeared dialog you can assign an IP address for the PXE Client, specify Network mask, Default gateway, DNS servers. If you know these settings for your network environment it is recommended to specify them here, just select Use the following IP address. If you don’t know these settings you should select Obtain an IP address automatically to obtain the settings from the DHCP Server automatically. If you want to obtain hostname from the DHCP Server switch to the Advanced tab and check Get hostname from DHCP server. Press Next to proceed.

In the appeared dialog you should choose and specify the following settings: 1) Network path – The place (network drive) in the network where you want to store your partition or disk backup images (shared resource in the network). 2) Mount point – the name of the directory that will be assigned to the selected network drive (Network path). 3) Username – specify your username to get access to the selected network drive. 4) Password – specify your password to get access to the selected network drive.

Network path dialog:

Note: If you don’t see your workgroup computers when selecting Network path then go to the previous dialog (press the Back button), check Network will be restarted on “Next” button pressed at the bottom and press Next to restart the network.

After selecting Network path (//SERVER/usrs in this case), Mount point and specifying Username and Password press the Mount button.

If you specified the correct settings you will see the following dialog:

Press OK and then Next to proceed.

In the appeared dialog press Finish to finish the network configuration.

5. Starting up Hard Disk Manager

After network configurating select Mount/unmount a partition in the Startup menu to start Hard Disk Manager.

Select any partition in the right pane of Hard Disk Manager, click on the Partition menu at the top and select Create an image of a partition in the appeared menu.

In the appeared dialog fill in the required fields as you wish (see Hard Disk Manager user manual) and press the button opposite the Archive name box to select the network directory where you want the place the image.

As we have successfully configured our network environment and mapped a network drive we can select the mapped driver to place there the partition image, just select /mnt/Server/usrs (in this case). After selecting the backup destination, press the Save and then Backup buttons. To start the backup operation press Apply at the bottom of the screen. Press Close when the operation will be finished.

Results

The backup image of the selected partition will be placed to the mapped network drive in the network. Note: You can use the same steps to restore this backup image from the network, just select Restore partition from image in the Partition menu at the top of the screen.

IV.2. Restoration of a partition backup image

This workshop describes how to restore a partition image to any PC in the LAN with PXE-enabled network card, booting from the network with the PXE scheme and using Deployment Manager Tools. PXE Client will receive universal DOS boot image. This image works with any brand of NIC that includes a PXE-compliant boot ROM - you no longer need to create multiple image files to accommodate NIC specific packet drivers. Using this image file you can choose what folders in the LAN you want to share, what programs you want to start, for example Simple Restore Wizard, Hard Disk Manager for DOS (just configure autoexec.bat inside this image), so you don’t need to use NET USE command every time you start the PXE client. Note: A partition image should be placed on any PC in the network and you should have access permissions to the PC’s folder with partition images.

1. Setting up PXE Server

Using the PC Deployment over network using PXE environment document which is included in the Deployment Manager package you can easily set up PXE Server that can be run under Windows or Linux. For example, we will use the Workshop №4- using Linux software only to set up PXE Server. To carry out the Workshop №4 you should (see the PC Deployment over network using PXE environment document):

a. Install and set up DHCP Server; b. Install TFTPD Server; c. Install the Syslinux package; d. Copy the pxelinux.0 and memdisk files from the Syslinux package to the \tftpdroot directory - cp /usr/lib/syslinux/pxelinux.0 /tftpboot; e. Create the pxelinux.cfg directory in the \tftpdroot one - mkdir pxelinux.cfg; f. Copy the image.IMZ file from the PXE Network Deployment Package to the \tftpdroot directory;

g. Create the default file in the pxelinux.cfg directory and insert the following lines: default boot prompt 0 say booting... label boot kernel memdisk append initrd=image.IMZ keeppxe

h. Start up all services.

2. Editing the autoexec.bat file from the image.IMZ

If you want to connect a drive letter to a network path you should use the NET USE command every time you want to map a network share to a drive letter. To automate this process you may edit the autoexec.bat file from the image.IMZ one: a. Open the image.IMZ file using WinImage software; b. Extract the autoexec.bat to any folder; c. Go to this folder and use Notepad to open autoexec.bat; d. Change the following strings: set _Server=”specify the network name of the PC where a folder you want to share is located” set _Account=”specify your user name” set _Password=”specify your password” set _Share=”specify a folder you want to share on the PC” set _MapDrive=”specify a letter you want to use as a mapped drive letter” set _Domain=”specify domain name, if any” For example: set _Server=VMserver set _Account=Guest set _Password=1 set _Share=SharedFolder set _MapDrive=Z: set _Domain=PARAGON

e. Save the changes (Ctrl+S); f. Drag the autoexec.bat file to the WinImage window with the opened image.IMZ and drop it here. g. Select Save in the File menu to save these changes in the image.IMZ file. h. Copy the image.IMZ file to the /tftpboot directory.

Note: You can map more than one network drive at the same time, just copy the following strings to the end of the autoexec.bat file and edit them as it should be in your environment. set _Server= set _Account= set _Password= set _Share= set _MapDrive= set _Domain= net logon %_Account% %_Password% /YES net use %_MapDrive% \\%_Server%\%_Share% /YES

3. Creating a DOS boot disk using Recovery Media Builder

When you boot your PXE client you should start a program in the network that can restore the partition image to the PXE client. We will use Recovery Media Builder from Deployment Manager to create this program: a. Install Deployment Manager if you didn’t install it yet; b. Start Exact Image (Start->All Programs->Deployment Manager->Exact Image); c. Insert a diskette into the floppy drive; d. Select Recovery Media Builder in the left pane;

e. In the appeared dialog press Next; f. Select Floppy Disk and press Next; g. Select Typical and press Next; h. Select the floppy drive and press Next; i. Press Next to create a floppy disk 1 of 2 (it will take 2-4 minutes);

j. After creating the 1st diskette insert a second one and press Next (it will take 2-4 minutes too);

k. After creating the 2nd diskette press Finish.

4. Preparing all necessary files

a. Open the just created diskettes and copy all their contents to a folder on the PC you are going to share for the PXE client – these files will start Simple Restore Wizard; b. Copy the partition image files to the same folder too. Note: You can copy partition image files or files from the diskettes to any PCs that can be accessed in the LAN.

5. Setting up PXE Client

6. Booting PXE Client

Before starting Simple Restore Wizard you must be sure you mapped the network drive with partition image files. Use the NET USE command to map the drive. In this case we have the partition image files on the Z: drive along with Simple Restore Wizard files. Note: The Z: drive was automatically mapped at booting the PXE client since we have changed the autoexec.bat file in the proper way. Go to the folder that contains the files from diskettes and type restart. Then you will see the following dialog:

Press Next to proceed.

In the appeared dialog select the partition image you want to restore and press Next.

Inspect the image you want to restore and press Next.

Select a partition you want to restore and press Next.

If you want you may change the start and size of the partition to be stored and then press Next.

Press Next if the changes are correct.

Press Close and then Finish to finish the restore operation.

Results

The partition image in the LAN will be successfully restored to the PXE client. Reboot the PXE client after the operation is finished. Note: You can automate this process by editing the autoexec.bat file in the proper way. Note: You can use the same steps to create partition or disk images in the LAN, just map all necessary network drives and run Hard Disk Manager for DOS instead of Simple Restore Wizard.