Solved Windows 7 .img file

[doglover129]

Is there a way I can create a windows 7 .img file that a computer can load from a PXE on that would not require windows 7 to be installed? I have seen this done through citrix type programs but I can not figure out how to do this. Thanks

 

[gregrocker]

If you'd fill us in a bit more on why you want to do this we can help you better.

Also why is installing Win7 normally not an option for you?

 

[doglover129]

Its not that I don't want to install it, in fact, the computers I am setting this up for already have Windows 7 installed. I want to switch to virtual desktop for manageability issues. I am looking into Citrix but I am broke so I decided to take on the task of doing this my self... Self explanatory how that turned out. Does anyone happen to know if there is a way I can set up a virtual PXE boot system that will not require a hard disk installation? If I have to use Citrix and pay for it, that is okay I guess but I would prefer to figure this out.

 

[gregrocker]

So freeware like Virtual Box, VMWare or Virtual Player would not work for this?

Just askin.

 

[doglover129]

So freeware like Virtual Box, VMWare or Virtual Player would not work for this?

Just askin.

Well, if so, I have no clue how to set this up. I know that I can use Virtual Box, VMWare, and Virtual Player to set up virtual machines that can run inside of my desktop, but can I send it through a PXE server? And if so, do you know how or have a link to a website that can show me?

 

[gregrocker]

I'll ask Rayda (2xg) from our Networking forum to look at this. Someone here should know if we can find them.

 

[doglover129]

I'll ask Rayda (2xg) from our Networking forum to look at this. Someone here should know if we can find them.

Thank you

 

[VistaKing]

doglover129

See if this will help

Link : Setting a VMware Workstation to PXE Boot | Chron.com

 

[doglover129]

doglover129

See if this will help

Link : Setting a VMware Workstation to PXE Boot | Chron.com

Thanks, but to be clear, I don't want the virtual machine to boot, I want virtual box or VMware to be the host of the operating system. Can I do that?

 

[VistaKing]

You want the VMware to hold the .img file and have other PCs to connect to it and install Windows from that ?

 

[cluberti]

No, it sounds like this user wants full-on VDI or SAN booting - diskless workstations and a machine on the back end to host the Windows install.

This is possible, but it requires at least 2 machines - one to boot from, and one to serve or run the install of Windows. There's no way around that. After that, there are free ways to implement VDI, but they're not for the faint of heart. These are the reasons why most people choose to use Microsoft or Citrix VDI solutions - time is also money, and it takes a good deal of time to implement the "free" solutions, making them no longer free . If it's just for you, and your time will be spent on learning, spending your time on learning can be worth it though.

Note that these can either be VDI solutions (connecting to a Windows 7 image *hosted* on a virtual server), or iSCSI boot from SAN solutions. Both are worth learning if you have the time, but the VDI solution is going to require commercial software. If you're stuck in broke-land at the moment, learn iSCSI booting instead:
http://windowsdisklessaoe.wordpress.com/
http://windowsdiskless.wordpress.com/

 

[doglover129]

You want the VMware to hold the .img file and have other PCs to connect to it and install Windows from that ?

No, not install, load as if windows is on them even though it isnt

 

[doglover129]

No, it sounds like this user wants full-on VDI or SAN booting - diskless workstations and a machine on the back end to host the Windows install.

This is possible, but it requires at least 2 machines - one to boot from, and one to serve or run the install of Windows. There's no way around that. After that, there are free ways to implement VDI, but they're not for the faint of heart. These are the reasons why most people choose to use Microsoft or Citrix VDI solutions - time is also money, and it takes a good deal of time to implement the "free" solutions, making them no longer free . If it's just for you, and your time will be spent on learning, spending your time on learning can be worth it though.

Note that these can either be VDI solutions (connecting to a Windows 7 image *hosted* on a virtual server), or iSCSI boot from SAN solutions. Both are worth learning if you have the time, but the VDI solution is going to require commercial software. If you're stuck in broke-land at the moment, learn iSCSI booting instead:
Windows Diskless with AoE | A definitive guide to how to boot Windows Diskless with ATA over Ethernet Protocol (AoE)
Windows Diskless over ISCSI | How to booting Windows over ISCSI completly with Free Software !

That is exactly what I mean! Thank you, I will give it a shot