Set the Windows Deployment Services Mode

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Applies To: Windows HPC Server 2008

Unlike previous versions of Windows HPC Server 2008, the default in Windows HPC Server 2008 is to respond only to Pre-boot Execution Environment (PXE) requests that come from existing compute nodes. This default setting is automatically changed when you add nodes to your cluster from bare metal using the Add Node Wizard.

The way in which the head node processes PXE requests is determined by the mode in which Windows Deployment Services is running on the head node. During the process of adding nodes from bare metal, the Windows Deployment Services mode is temporarily changed and the head node responds to all PXE requests. At the end of the Add Node Wizard, on the Completing the Add Node Wizard page you are prompted to decide if you want to continue responding to all PXE requests, or if you want to go back to responding only to requests that come from existing compute nodes. Depending on which option you choose, the Windows Deployment Services mode is automatically changed back to the default mode, or left unchanged.

You can manually change the Windows Deployment Services mode at any time in HPC Cluster Manager, without having to run the Add Node Wizard, by changing the deployment settings.

For information about using HPC Cluster Manager, see Overview of HPC Cluster Manager.

To set the Windows Deployment Services Mode

  1. In the menu bar, click Options, and then click Deployment Settings. The Deployment Settings dialog box appears.

  2. Click one of the two options for how Windows Deployment Services should respond to PXE requests:

    • Respond only to PXE requests that come from existing compute nodes. This is the default setting. Any new computer that contacts the head node with a PXE request will be ignored.

    • Respond to all PXE requests. If a new computer contacts the head node with a PXE request, Windows Deployment Services will respond to that request and alert the HPC Management Service. The computer is then assigned a name according to the compute node naming series specified during configuration, and it is listed with that name in Node Management, under the Unknown state.

  3. To set the new Windows Deployment Services mode, click OK.

Additional considerations

  • To open HPC Cluster Manager, click Start, point to All Programs, click Microsoft HPC Pack, and then click HPC Cluster Manager. If the User Account Control dialog box appears, confirm that the action it displays is what you want, and then click Continue.

Additional references