Smart deploy and capturing image that’s in audit mode
Posted by liquid00level@reddit | sysadmin | View on Reddit | 15 comments
I’m currently using smart deploy to handle images. I made an image in audit mode, shut it down (did not sysprep) and have smart deploy capture it. When smart deploy images a machine it runs sysprep itself. I was told that leaving the image in audit mode is a problem and I was also told to not sysprep the VM. You folks using smart deploy, are you just capturing an image in audit mode? I definitely don’t want to go through the OOBE stuff at all.
St0nywall@reddit
When using SmartDeploy, you should not run Sysprep on your reference VM prior to capture, nor do you need to build it in Audit mode. SmartDeploy automatically handles Sysprep and injects the necessary answer files and drivers for you during the deployment process.
liquid00level@reddit (OP)
I use audit mode to skip the oobe junk. It seems like my image is deploying without an issue so 🤷
St0nywall@reddit
You still should not be using audit mode.
liquid00level@reddit (OP)
Technically though, why?
St0nywall@reddit
Audit mode is typically used to bypass the Out-of-Box Experience (OOBE), install software, and run sysprep manually. SmartDeploy replaces this manual process with automation.
You run the "SmartDeploy Answer File Wizard" to generate the OOBE answer file so it will automate the process for you by injecting this answer file during its sysprep stage.
liquid00level@reddit (OP)
Yes, I’m asking though why is it a problem going into audit mode, shutting it down (not sysprep) and capturing it? Also why does it matter if it gets sysprepped and sysprepped again by smart deploy? I’m trying to understand what the issue is.
PDQ_Brockstar@reddit
I checked with the team and there shouldn't be an issue with using audit mode to capture an image. However, we don't actively test using audit mode, so your mileage may vary.
St0nywall@reddit
I don't believe you would accept an answer that differs from what you already believe.
For that reason, I am finished with this discussion.
PDQ_Brockstar@reddit
I checked with the team and there shouldn't be an issue with using audit mode to capture an image. However, we don't actively test using audit mode, so your mileage may vary.
PDQ_Brockstar@reddit
Unfortunately, I don't have a direct answer for you, but I forwarded the question onto the team (mostly cuz I'm also interested in the answer lol)
I'll get back to you when I've got an answer
Solid-Worldliness284@reddit
Use VMware to create VM.
Use Smartdeploy to build a reference machine from vmware.
Capture that reference and it will generalize it with sysprep.
Because the capture is what you end up deploying, that means it has already gone through sysprep like it should. When you use Smartdeploy, you are not pushing the original VM image which is still in audit mode.
This is also what Smardeploy recommends in their documentation, so you can use that to show whoever is telling you otherwise.
liquid00level@reddit (OP)
So I use VMware workstation and make the image in a VM while in audit mode. I just down the VM (I’m not sysprepping, just shutdown) and then I capture it with smart deploy. Start deploy syspreps when it deploys the image. I was told that capturing the image if it was still in audit mode is a problem, but so far I’m not running into any issue. I can’t see how they expect a user to not use audit mode when making an image.
Solid-Worldliness284@reddit
I misspoke - you are correct. Smart deploy will run sysprep when deploying it.
Best Practices to Create Your Reference Virtual Machines – SmartDeploy Help Center
Did they say why it's bad? Do you have some other tool thats being applied after or something?
liquid00level@reddit (OP)
They said something about how it can run passes twice or something like that. Are you capturing an image that was left in audit?
Solid-Worldliness284@reddit
Yes,
Its left in audit mode when I capture. When I use it to image a new machine it takes the standard amount of time not any extra.
If you run sysprep manually, then capture it, Smartdeploy will run it again. That is the only way I can see it running 2 passes.