Automating Windows MDT End-to-end

NOTE
This repo is inspired and initially forked from StefanScherer's GitHub repository, you can find more useful windows resources there.

Part 1: Build a vanila WinSrv 2022 Vagrant Box

TL;DR

You can skip this part by using my box on Vagrant Cloud.

System Requirements

• MacOS 12 Monterey or BigSur (Not tested on the lower versions).
• Virtualbox 6.1.30 (for Monterey at least).
• Packer 1.7.0 +
• Vagrant 2.2.17 +
• MSFT RDP for Mac

Usage

• Download the ISO from your trusted source, in my case, I use the eva image for testing purpose.
• Obtain the Checksum of the ISO via:
  • In Mac terminal

  shasum -a 256 <your-iso-path>

  • Replace the value in .pkr.hcl file

   variable "iso_checksum" {
        type    = string
        default = "sha256:<your-iso-checksum>"
    }

• Run the line below to build the box (for virtualbox only)

packer build --var 'iso_url=<your-iso-path>' ./winsrv_2022_vb.pkr.hcl

• Once the box is created, covert a Vagrantfile from the Packer template.

cp ./mdtwinsrv2022/vagrantfile-winsrv_2022.template Vagrantfile

• Add the box to Vagrant

vagrant box add winsvr_2022.box

Part 2: Auto-provision a ready-to-use MDT workbench from scratch

Prerequisite

• Create a folder to host the ISOs on Mac.
• Modify this line for your own folder mapping:

config.vm.synced_folder "<your-iso-folder>", "/mdt", type: "smb", smb_username: "<your_mac_username>"

Note: The reason why I'm using SMB to map the host (MacOS) folder by acknowledging most of the us hate it -- Unfortunately, it's the only technically viable way (for now) works on Vagrant without the need of 3rd party plugins like Virtualbox Guest Addition. Feel free to checkout the other folder syncing options.

• Key in your Mac user's password when prompted:

Win Svr 2022 Base Box: folders shortly. Please use the proper username/password of your
   Win Svr 2022 Base Box: account.
   Win Svr 2022 Base Box:  
   Win Svr 2022 Base Box: Username (<your_mac_username>): 
   Win Svr 2022 Base Box: Password (will be hidden): 

• Observe and validate the Vagrant provisioning script prep-mdt.ps1 by:

  • Try the cmds from the list of available MDT cmdlets here.
  • More MSFT reference.

• Customise your MDT settings via the workbench.

• Fire it up and enjoy!

Vagrant up && Vagrant rdp

Part 3: Auto-produce a customised Win10/11 ISO

[Updates - 28 Jan 2022]

In this new update, you will be able to produce an MDT customised ISO from scratch - Automatically! Just do a "Vagrant up", grab a coffee, sit-back and relax.

The ISO I'm creating here - Vanila, zero clicks, and clean.

• Fill the "iso" path and your Mac login user name in Vagrantfile in line:

config.vm.synced_folder "<your-iso-folder>", "/mdt", type: "smb", smb_username:"<your_mac_username>" 
config.vm.synced_folder "./bin", "/bin", type: "smb", smb_username: "<your_mac_username>" 

• Customise your own Task Sequence and the options in CustomSettings.ini & Bootstrap.ini. In my case:

  • ts.xml - A vanila template will only wipe the disk and install the OS.
  • CustomSettings.ini & Bootstrap.ini - A customised task sequence setting template by suppressing the clicks, only displays a final summary page once it's done .

• Fire it up!

Vagrant up 

• Make sure "out_Win10_eva.iso" had landed, give it a go with Virtualbox or the real box.