This Lab Kit builds a complete ConfigMgr Current Branch 2002, and ConfigMgr TP 2010, with Windows Server 2016 and SQL Server 2017 infrastructure, and some (optional) supporting servers. This kit is tested on both Hyper-V and VMware virtual platforms, but should really work on any virtualization platform that can boot from an ISO. The kit offers a complete setup of both a primary site server running ConfigMgr Current Branch 2002 (server CM01, as well as a primary site server running ConfigMgr Technical Preview Branch 2010 (server CM02). You also find guidance on upgrading current branch platform to the latest build.
Notes
Note #1 – Customizations: This hydration kit install all servers in the corp.viamonstra.com domain, on the 192.168.1.0/24 network. If you rather use your own domain, different IP addresses etc. check out the Next Step – Customizing the Hydration Kit section in the end of this post for instructions on how to customize this kit. Also, for a complete IP plan of the ViaMonstra network, check this link: https://viamonstra.com/ip-plan
Note #2 – Internal network and Internet Access: Since one of the virtual machines (DC01) is also a DHCP Server, its highly recommend to deploy all the virtual machines on an internal virtual network, and then use the NAT feature in either Hyper-V or VMware to give the virtual machines internet access. For super-easy Internet access on Hyper-V, while still having the VMs on an isolated network, read this shiny post from Ami Arwidmark (@AArwidmark):
Setting Up New Networking Features in Server 2016 (also works in 2019)
https://deploymentresearch.com/558/Setting-Up-New-Networking-Features-in-Server-2016.
Note #3 – Advanced networking: For more complex networks (multiple sites, bandwidth throttling etc.), you may want to use a virtual router. More info here:
Using a virtual router for your lab and test environment
https://deploymentresearch.com/285/Using-a-virtual-router-for-your-lab-and-test-environment
Hydration Kit For Windows Server 2016 and ConfigMgr Current / Technical Preview Branch
So, again, this Kit builds a complete ConfigMgr 2002, and an optional ConfigMgr TP 2010 site server, with Windows Server 2016 and SQL Server 2017 infrastructure, and some (optional) supporting servers
Servers
This kit allows you to automatically deploy the below list of servers. The only server you really need to build first is DC01, since that's the domain controller, and the CM01 server will join the domain. Turns out joining a domain is tricky without a domain controller 🙂
Main servers
- DC01. Windows Server 2016, DC, DHCP and DNS
- CM01. Windows Server 2016, SQL Server 2017 Standard, ConfigMgr Current Branch 2002, and MDT 8456
Optional supporting servers for ConfigMgr Technical Preview Branch, and MDT Lite Touch (reference image builds)
- CM02. Windows Server 2016, SQL Server 2017 Standard, ConfigMgr Current Branch Technical Preview 2010
- MDT01. Windows Server 2016, SQL Server 2017 Express
- WSUS01. Windows Server 2016, SQL Server 2017 Express
Overview
Shorthand, to build the virtual machines there are three steps you need to do:
- Download the necessary software
- Prepare the Hydration Environment
- Deploy the virtual machines
Note: Detailed instructions are further down this page… see the Step-by-Step Guide section.


Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1 – Download the software
On the machine (client or server) that you use to manage Hyper-V or VMware, create the C:\Setup folder.
For the main servers, you need to download the following software:
- The Hydration Kit
sample files (download) Â Â - BGInfo: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bginfo
MDT 8456: http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=54259 - A reference image of Windows Server 2016 Standard, fully patched, and .NET Framework 3.5 added to it. If you don't have one, follow this guide to create one: https://deploymentresearch.com/578/Building-the-perfect-Windows-Server-2016-reference-image
- SQL Server 2017 Standard x64: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/evalcenter/ or from VLSC, or MSDN if you have access to those.
- SQL Server Management Studio (separate download, not included in SQL Server 2017): https://aka.ms/ssmsfullsetup
- ConfigMgr 2002+ PreReqs: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/evalcenter/ or from VLSC or MSDN if you have access to those.
Note: To download the ConfigMgr pre-requisites, run the SMSSETUP\BIN\X64\Setupdl.exe application from the ConfigMgr installation files. Â Â

- Windows ADK 10 v1903 and WinPE Addon for Windows ADK 10 v1903: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/get-started/adk-install
Note: To download the complete standalone Windows ADK 10 setup, run adksetup.exe /layout "C:\Setup\Windows ADK 10 v1903" for the core ADK, and then adkwinpesetup.exe /layout "C:\Setup\Windows ADK 10 v1903 WinPE Addon" for the WinPE Addon.


For the optional servers, you need to download the following software:
- SQL Server 2017 Express: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/sql-server/sql-server-editions-express
Note: Use the web installer to download the en_sql_server_2017_express_x64_11301593.exe media - ConfigMgr 2010 Technical Preview + PreReqs: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/evalcenter/evaluate-system-center-configuration-manager-and-endpoint-protection-technical-preview
Note: To download the ConfigMgr pre-requisites, run the SMSSETUP\BIN\X64\Setupdl.exe application from the ConfigMgr installation files.       Â
Step 2 – Prepare the Hydration Environment
1. On the Windows machine that you use to manage Hyper-V or VMware, install Windows ADK 10 v1903 (adksetup.exe) selecting only the following components:
- Deployment Tools
- Imaging and Configuration Designer (ICD)
- Configuration Designer
- User State Migration Tool (USMT)

Note: The last three are not used by the hydration kit, but are still quite useful to have, so I usually install them too.
2. Install Windows ADK 10 v1903 WinPE Addon (adkwinpesetup.exe) with the default settings.
3. Install MDT 8456 (MicrosoftDeploymentToolkit_x64.msi) with the default settings.
4. Extract the HydrationCMWS2016.zip sample file to C:.
Note: Please use 7-zip to extract the files so that time stamps on the files are kept correct, which helps troubleshooting (when using File Explorer to extract, it resets the time stamps to current date).
You should now have the following folder containing a few sub-folders and a PowerShell script: C:\HydrationCMWS2016\Source

5. In an elevated PowerShell command prompt, create the hydration deployment share by running the following command: C:\HydrationCMWS2016\Source\CreateHydrationDeploymentShare.ps1
6. Open Deployment Workbench, and look around. You should see applications, operating systems, and task sequences etc.
Populate the hydration deployment share with the main server setup files
Next step is to start copying the various installation files to the correct folder.
1. Copy your Windows Server 2016 reference image (have to be named REFWS2016-001.wim, case sensitive), to the following folder: C:\HydrationCMWS2016\DS\Operating Systems\WS2016

2. Copy the BGInfo file (bginfo.exe) to the following folder: C:\HydrationCMWS2016\DS\Applications\Install – BGInfo\Source
3. Copy the full Windows ADK 10 v1903 setup files (1.1 GB) to the following folder:
C:\HydrationCMWS2016\DS\Applications\Install – Windows ADK 10\Source
4. Copy the Windows ADK 10 v1903 WinPE Addon setup files (2.8 GB) to the following folder:
C:\HydrationCMWS2016\DS\Applications\Install – WinPE Addon for Windows ADK 10\Source
5. Copy the SQL Server 2017 Standard x64 setup files (the content of the ISO, not the actual ISO) to the following folder:
C:\HydrationCMWS2016\DS\Applications\Install – SQL Server 2017\Source

6. Copy the SQL Server Management Studio setup file to the following folder:
C:\HydrationCMWS2016\DS\Applications\Install – SQL Server Management Studio
7. Copy the ConfigMgr 2002 setup files (extract the download) to the following folder:
C:\HydrationCMWS2016\DS\Applications\Install – ConfigMgr\Source
8. Copy the ConfigMgr 2002 PreReqs setup files to the following folder:
C:\HydrationCMWS2016\DS\Applications\Install – ConfigMgr\PreReqs
9. Copy the MDT 8456 setup file (MicrosoftDeploymentToolkit_x64.msi) to the following folder:
C:\HydrationCMWS2016\DS\Applications\Install – MDT
Populate the hydration deployment share with the optional files for CM02, MDT01 and WSUS01
Note: These steps are only needed if you want to deploy the optional CM02, MDT01, and WSUS01 virtual machines. If you don't want this, simply skip to the next section (Create the Hydration Kit ISO (MDT offline media item)
1. Copy the SQL Server 2017 Express setup file (SQLEXPR_x64_ENU.exe) to the following folder:
C:\HydrationCMWS2016\DS\Applications\Install – SQL Server 2017 Express\Source
Create the Hydration Kit ISO (MDT offline media item)
- Using Deployment Workbench (available on the Start screen), expand Deployment Shares, and expand Hydration ConfigMgr.
- Review the various nodes. The Applications, Operating Systems and Task Sequences nodes should all have some content in them.

1. Expand the Advanced Configuration node, and then select the Media node.
2. In the right pane, right-click the MEDIA001 item, and select Update Media Content.
Note: The media update will take a while to run, a perfect time for a coffee break.
After the media update you will have a big ISO (HydrationCMWS2016.iso ) in the C:\HydrationCMWS2016\ISO folder. The HydrationCMWS2016.iso should be about 14-15 GB in size.

Step 3 – Deploy the virtual machines
All accounts, including Administrator, have a password of P@ssw0rd. If you want a PowerShell script that creates these VMs for Hyper-V, check the C:\HydrationCMWS2016\Source\Extra folder for a sample script.
Note: If using Hyper-V, do Not configure the virtual machines for dynamic memory. If you do, the installation will take forever. Dynamic memory can be enabled when installation (hydration) is completed.
Deploying DC01
Using Hyper-V Manager or VMware Workstation/Sphere, create a virtual machine with the following settings:
- Name: DC01
- CPU: 2 vCPU
- Hard drive: 100 GB (dynamic disk)
- Memory: 2 GB (static memory if using Hyper-V)
- Network: Your lab network
- Image file (ISO): C:\HydrationCMWS2016\ISO\HydrationCMWS2016.iso
- Start the DC01 virtual machine. After booting from HydrationCMWS2016.iso , and after WinPE has loaded, select the DC01 task sequence.
- Wait until the setup is complete and you see the Hydration Complete message in the final summary.
- Leave DC01 running while deploying the CM01 virtual machine.
Deploying CM01
Once the domain controller (DC01) is up and running, you can deploy the CM01 virtual machine. Don't forget to leave DC01 running while deploying CM01 since it is joining the domain during deployment. Use the following settings for the CM01 virtual machine:
- Name: CM01
- CPU: 4 vCPU
- Hard drive: 300 GB (dynamic disk)
- Memory: 16 GB (static memory if using Hyper-V)
- Network: Your lab network
- Image file (ISO): C:\HydrationCMWS2016\ISO\HydrationCMWS2016.iso
Post configuration of CM01
After deploying CM01, make sure the machine has access to Internet. Again either via Configure NAT in Hyper-V or VMware, or by setting up a virtual router.
Then, in the Administration workspace, in the Updates and Servicing node. Click Check for Updates, and then install the latest updates available (currently ConfigMgr Current Branch v1906). Don't forget to do a final reboot after applying the updates, there is usually a pending reboot caused by the upgrade process.

Deploying CM02 (Optional)
Once the domain controller (DC01) is up and running, you can deploy the CM01 virtual machine. Don't forget to leave DC01 running while deploying CM02 since it is joining the domain during deployment. Use the following settings for the CM02 virtual machine:
- Name: CM02
- CPU: 4 vCPU
- Hard drive: 300 GB (dynamic disk)
- Memory: 16 GB (static memory if using Hyper-V)
- Network: Your lab network
- Image file (ISO): C:\HydrationCMWS2016\ISO\HydrationCMWS2016.iso Hard drive: 300 GB (dynamic disk)
Post configuration of CM02
After deploying CM02, make sure the machine has access to Internet. Again either via Configure NAT in Hyper-V or VMware, or by setting up a virtual router.
Then, in the Administration workspace, in the Updates and Servicing node. Click Check for Updates, and then install the latest technical preview. Currently 1909.
Deploying MDT01 (Optional)
Once the domain controller (DC01) is up and running, you can deploy the optional MDT01 virtual machine. Don't forget to leave DC01 running while deploying MDT01 since it is joining the domain during deployment. Use the following settings for the MDT01 virtual machine:
- Name: MDT01
- CPU: 2 vCPU
- Hard drive: 300 GB (dynamic disk)
- Memory: 4 GB (static memory if using Hyper-V)
- Network: Your lab network
- Image file (ISO): C:\HydrationCMWS2016\ISO\HydrationCMWS2016.iso
Deploying WSUS01 (Optional)
Once the domain controller (DC01) is up and running, you can deploy the optional WSUS01 virtual machine. Don't forget to leave DC01 running while deploying WSUS01 since it is joining the domain during deployment. Use the following settings for the WSUS01 virtual machine:
- Name: WSUS01
- CPU: 2 vCPU
- Hard drive: 300 GB (dynamic disk)
- Memory:84 GB (static memory if using Hyper-V)
- Network: Your lab network
- Image file (ISO): C:\HydrationCMWS2016\ISO\HydrationCMWS2016.iso
Next Step – Customizing the Hydration Kit:
Below is a quick walk through of items to change if you need to customize the kit. For a broader scope, please see the post Customizing the ViaMonstra Hydration Kit.
If you need to change server names, IP addresses, domain names, installation, passwords, etc. in the environment, the main configuration is stored in the four .ini files in the C:\HydrationCMWS2016\ISO\Content\Deploy\Control folder.
Note: Again, by default, all accounts, including Administrator, have a password of P@ssw0rd.

For ConfigMgr (CM01) you need to update the following files::
- C:\HydrationCMWS2016\DS\Applications\Install – ConfigMgr\ConfigMgrUnattend.ini
- C:\HydrationCMWS2016\DS\Applications\Install – SQL Server 2017\ConfigurationFile\ConfigurationManager.ini
For ConfigMgr (CM02) you need to update the following files::
- C:\HydrationCMWS2016\DS\Applications\Install – ConfigMgr Technical Preview\ConfigMgrUnattend.ini
- C:\HydrationCMWS2016\DS\Applications\Install – SQL Server 2017\ConfigurationFile\ConfigurationManager.ini
If you need to change the various service accounts, you need to to modify the Configure-CreateADStructure.wsf script in the C:\HydrationCMWS2016\DS\Applications\
Configure – Create AD Structure folder.
If you change the Administrator password, and/or domain name, you also need to update the Authorize DHCP credentials in the DC01 task sequence.

Written by Johan Arwidmark
At present we have Azure Intune solution for managing the devices on of our client We are working on different options for minimal user intervention for refresh the device for internet base client because most of the users are working from home because covid, is iPXE feasible enterprise way for deployment with combination with MDT. And can it be deployed using Pxe boot (without using USB boot media) Also do we need to have MDT on Azure VM or On-prem MDT server with WDS will also work? Any other way to do refresh OS build for remote user you can… Read more »
With some creative PowerShell, you can run a MDT task sequence from Intune. Doing a refresh of a computer. For bare metal installations, I recommend either offline media, or running your deployment server in Azure/Amazon.
Great post
Hello Johan,
Great article, I have followed the guide, I am not getting internet on DC01, also its showing warning under tools to promote it to Dc and DHCP configuration. Any suggestions?
Thanks
Most common issue is network card missing, but the MDT logs, dcpromo logs, and event viewer logs should give you some clues.
The following folder/application does not exist after creating the Hydration Deployment Share.
C:\HydrationCMWS2016\DS\Applications\Install – WinPE Addon for Windows ADK 10\Source
Sorry about that, fixed in the latest version, so please re-download the kit.