How to setup MDT environment on Azure?

Uday Kiran Reddy 6

With local AD environment, we can simply add a MDT server installed on a server machine, which is joined in local AD domain.
And from wins or PXE boot, we can simply install the OS on new devices using the task sequences created in MDT.

How to implement MDT on Azure cloud environment then?

Simon Ren-MSFT 30,031 Reputation points Microsoft Vendor

2021-10-15T03:14:13.87+00:00

Hi,

Thanks for posting in Microsoft Q&A forum.

Yes, we could do cloud operating system deployment using MDT in Azure if the requirements are met. Please refer to below refereces for more detailed steps and configurations:
Cloud operating system deployment: WinPE in Azure
Using Powershell and MDT with Microsoft Azure
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UDyxOYe7VVQ

Best regards,
Simon

If the response is helpful, please click "Accept Answer" and upvote it. If you have extra questions about this answer, please click "Comment".
Note: Please follow the steps in our documentation to enable e-mail notifications if you want to receive the related email notification for this thread.
uday kiran reddy 1 Reputation point

2021-10-15T04:30:45.01+00:00

In the video you shared, he setup a single machine and enabled hyperv on it. And using that as a lab environment to create new machines inside that hyperv. Like Nested virtualization.

But, I need a mdt server on azure and using that need to install new os on physical laptops and other azure direct virtual machines.
Simon Ren-MSFT 30,031 Reputation points Microsoft Vendor

2021-10-18T07:48:01.103+00:00

Hi,

Thanks for your reply.

Based on my experience, we could setup a mdt server on azure and using it to image other azure direct virtual machines. Howerver, it's hardly to image your on-promise physical laptops. Because the PXE request that is generated by the client computer is a broadcast that doesn't travel outside the local subnet or VLAN. If the DHCP server or the WDS server isn't on the same subnet or VLAN as the client computer, they will not see or hear the PXE request broadcast from the client. Therefore, the servers will not respond to the PXE request.

Thanks for your kindly understanding.

Best regards,
Simon
uday kiran reddy 1 Reputation point

2021-10-18T08:36:15.837+00:00

But there is a link that explains it works. This link: https://devblogs.microsoft.com/scripting/cloud-operating-system-deployment-winpe-in-azure/

The same link I shared in question.

There are some issues while implementation, that's why I posted here
Simon Ren-MSFT 30,031 Reputation points Microsoft Vendor

2021-10-19T08:58:58.46+00:00

Hi,

Thanks for your reply.

To be honest, I'm not very familiar with Azure environment. As it's a complex issue, I will do more research, if there is any update, I will let you know. Thanks for your understanding.

Best regards,
Simon

2 answers

Devaraj G 2,091 Reputation points

2021-10-17T11:01:57.233+00:00

Hi Uday, MDT don't work well in Azure. there are dependencies components like DHCP, PXE boot which makes it more complex running from azure.

I have seen few deployment of MDT in azure but it doesn't work well.
Moreover WDS as role is not supported in Azure.
Please sign in to rate this answer.
uday kiran reddy 1 Reputation point

2021-10-17T11:27:49.377+00:00

DHCP,. I don't think that should be an issue. As managed by vnet and peering.can you Please let me if any alternative options with details or links

Devaraj G 2,091 Reputation points

2021-10-18T09:59:01+00:00

Unfortunately i couldn't find any. let see if someone got better answer for this.
but from my point of view, its going to be cumbersome to run MDT on azure. I have seen this failing before.
Sign in to comment
Deleted

This answer has been deleted due to a violation of our Code of Conduct. The answer was manually reported or identified through automated detection before action was taken. Please refer to our Code of Conduct for more information.

Comments have been turned off. Learn more