This task creates an image of a computer's hard disk. You can save the disk image as an .IMG, .EXE, .WIM, .DMG, or .GHO file.
Create an image file by using the New Job Wizard or adding the task when building new jobs. You can distribute the disk image file using the Distribute a Disk Image task. This task will run Symantec RDeploy.exe from the console to capture and migrate hard disk images.
See“New job wizard”on page 162., See“Building new jobs ”on page 167., and Distributing a disk image.
To create an image of a computer, you must boot to Linux, or WinPE. This requires that you set up a PXE Server or install an automation partition.
To create a disk image
1 In the Jobs pane in the Ghost Solution Suite Console, select a job.
2 In the Details pane, click Add and select Create Disk Image.
3 In the Create Disk Image dialog, select an imaging tool from the drop-down list. You can select RapiDeploy (Text mode), RapiDeploy (Graphics mode), RapiDeploy (Linux mode), ImageX, Mac Image or Ghost.
RDeployT is the default imaging executable. This facilitates the imaging of thin client computers. The following are the RapiDeploy options for imaging:
Select this option to run the RDeploy in a GUI mode.
Graphical Mode (RDeploy)
Select this option to run the RDeploy in a text mode.
Text Mode (RDeployT)
Select this option to run the RDeploy in Linux mode.
Linux (RDeploy)
You can select the ImageX or Mac Image option for imaging. If you select ImageX, the image is created as a .WIM file. If you select Mac Image, the image is created as a .DMG file. For information on creating a Mac Image, See
“Creating a Mac image ”on page 177. You can also select the Ghost option for imaging. If you select Ghost, the image is created as a .GHO file. For information on creating a Ghost Image, See“Creating a Ghost image ” on page 178.
Note:Linux (RDeploy) and Ghost options are available only when the ImageTools.ini file is stored in the eXpress folder.
4 Enter additional parameters in the Additional Parameters field.
You can add command-line options specifically for the RapiDeploy program to run imaging tasks. See Command-line Switches in the Deployment and Migration Guide.
5 Enter a path and file name to store the disk image file. You can store image files to access later when a managed computer is assigned a job that includes the image file.
The default file name extension is .IMG. Saving image files with an .EXE extension converts them into self-extracting executable files (the run-time version of RapiDeploy is added in the file). You can also save ImageX files with a .WIM extension, a Mac image with a .DMG extension, and a Ghost image with a .GHO extension.
6 Select Disable image path validation if you want to store the image file outside of the Ghost Solution Suite Share file structure. If you do not select this option and do not specify a Ghost Solution Suite Share path, a warning message appears, reminding you to configure your automation process to use the path indicated in the Name field. You can still save your image to a location outside of the Ghost Solution Suite Share file structure even when you do not select this option. This option only eliminates the warning message. You can use this option to store images locally on the managed computer's hard drive or to an additional server used to store images.
If you typed a UNC path in the Name field and the server does not have access to the path, check to disable image path validation. Otherwise, the process fails.
When storing images locally on the managed computer's hard drive, ensure that you enter the path relative to the managed computer (Example:
C:\myimage.img). When you store an image locally on a managed computer instead of a file server, you save server disk space and reduce network traffic.
Prerequisite: To store images locally on the managed computer's hard drive, you must have a hidden automation partition installed on the managed computer's hard disk with the required disk space to hold the images you want to store.
Note:When imaging computers where images are stored on the managed computer's hidden automation partition, use the option to remove the automation partition only when you want to clear all images from the computer.
7 Select Prepare using Sysprep to use Sysprep to prepare the system for imaging.
8 From the Operating System drop-down list, select the operating system or Add new to open the OS Product Key dialog and select the OS Information.
9 Click Advanced Settings. This opens the Sysprep advanced settings dialog.
See Advanced Sysprep settings for creating a disk image.
10 (Optional) Select the Do not boot to Production option to create an image of the hard disk while booted to Automation without first booting to Windows to save network settings (TCP/IP settings, SID, computer name, and so on).
If you select this option, these network settings are not reapplied to the computer after the imaging task, resulting in network conflicts when the computer starts.
11 From the Automation pre-boot environment (WinPE/Linux) drop-down list, select the required pre-boot environment to perform the Create Disk Image task in the selected pre-boot environment. By default, the Default Automation (Auto-select) type is selected.
Note:ImageX requires a WinPE x86 pre-boot environment.
12 (Optional) To select Media Spanning and additional options, click Advanced.
See“Create disk image advanced ”on page 180.
13 Click OK (if you are using the New Job Wizard) or click Next.
14 (Optional) Set Return Codes. See“Setting up return codes ”on page 223.
15 Click Finish. The task appears in the Task list for the job. The disk image is created when you run this task.
Note:If an imaging job fails on a managed computer, the Ghost Solution Suite Configuration page appears on the client computer. This page displays a prompt to confirm whether the user wants to configure the client computer or restore the original settings. On the client computer's screen, select Cancel > Restore Original Settings.
See“Deployment tasks”on page 170.