The Hydration Kit for ConfigMgr 2012 RC2 is available for download

By Johan Arwidmark / January 20, 2012

NOTE: This Hydration kit has been updated (this was during the ConfigMgr 2012 beta), you probably want to use this one instead:

The Hydration Kit for System Center 2012 R2 is available for download
https://deploymentresearch.com/Research/tabid/62/EntryId/149/The-Hydration-Kit-for-System-Center-2012-R2-is-available-for-download.aspx

Here is a download for deploying a complete ConfigMgr 2012 RC2 infrastructure in either Hyper-V or VMware: One Domain Controller and one ConfigMgr 2012 RC2 member server – Including pre-requisites like .Net Framework, SQL 2008 R2 SP1 CU4 and IIS – all fully automated.

Once configured, the total build time for the full ConfigMgr 2012 RC2 lab environment is about 1.5 hours (on my laptop).

Download the Hydration Kit for ConfigMgr 2012 RC2 (137 kb).

To build the lab there are three steps you need to do

Download the necessary software
Prepare the hydration deployment solution
Deploy your virtual machines

Update 2012-01-21: For additional helpful notes, please read Erik Nilssons (ntrpnr a.k.a @dakire on twitter) SysMgmt Blog.
http://ntrpnr.posterous.com/johan-arwidmarks-sccm-2012-rc2-hydration-kit

Update 2012-04-06: Using the kit on Windows 8:

Odd Magne added a comment (and solution) for running the Hydration Kit on Windows 8 which comes with PowerShell 3.0. There is a know issue with the 'Import-Module' and 'Microsoft.PowerShell.Utility'. The workaround that Odd pointed out is to run PowerShell 2.0 when running the scripts. PowerShell.exe -Version 2 (You can run the command at any command prompt, including Windows PowerShell and Cmd.exe)

Detailed instructions are further down this page…

The Task Sequence that builds the CM01 Server (Member Server with SQL, WDS, IIS and ConfigMgr 2012 RC2)

Hydration Instructions

Note: By default the Hydration is using the C: drive of the host, if you want to use another drive, simply change C: for D: in the powershell scripts.

Step 1 – Download the necessary software

On the machine (client or server) that you use to manage Hyper-V or VMware, create the C:\Downloads folder and download the following software (trial versions are ok too):

ConfigMgr 2012 RC2
MDT 2010 Update 1
SQL Server 2008 R2 x64
SQL Server 2008 R2 SP1 Update x64 (KB 2528583)
SQL Server 2008 R2 SP1 CU4 Update x64 (KB 2633146)
Sysinternals BGInfo
Windows AIK 2.0 (named Windows AIK for Windows 7 v3.0 on Microsoft download)
Windows Server 2008 R2 Enterprise with SP1

Step 2 – Prepare the Hydration environment

On your Hyper-V or VMware management machine, make sure PowerShell is installed.
Extract Windows AIK 2.0 (or mount the ISO using an ISO mounting tool like SlySoft Virtual CloneDrive), and install Windows AIK 2.0 with the default settings.
Install MDT 2010 Update 1 with the default settings.
Extract the HydrationCM2012RC2.zip file to C:. You should now have a C:\HydrationCM2012RC2\Source folder with a few folders and PowerShell scripts.
In a PowerShell command prompt, configure Execution Policy in PowerShell, by typing the following command:
Set-ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Force
In the PowerShell command prompt, create the Hydration Deployment Share by running the following command:
C:\HydrationCM2012RC2\Source\1_CreateHydrationDeployment.ps1
Copy the following folders from C:\HydrationCM2012RC2\Source\HydrationDS to C:\HydrationCM2012RC2\HydrationDS, replace any existing files.
ApplicationsControl
Operating Systems
Scripts
Extract the ConfigMgr 2012 RC2 installation files to the C:\HydrationCM2012RC2\HydrationDS\Applications\Install – ConfigMgr 2012 RC2Source folder.
To download the latest ConfigMgr 2012 RC2 pre-requisites, run the C:\HydrationCM2012RC2\HydrationDS\Applications\Install – ConfigMgr 2012 RC2\Source\SMSSETUP\BIN\X64\Setupdl.exe application. In the path textbox, browse to C:\HydrationCM2012RC2\HydrationDS\Applications\Install – ConfigMgr 2012 RC2\PreReqs and click Download.
Copy the C:\HydrationCM2012RC2\HydrationDS\Applications\Install – ConfigMgr 2012 RC2\Source\SMSSETUP\BIN\X64\EXTADSCH.exe file to C:\HydrationCM2012RC2\HydrationDS\Applications\Configure – Extend AD for ConfigMgr 2012\Source.
Copy the SQL Server 2008 R2 x64 installation files to the C:\HydrationCM2012RC2\HydrationDS\Applications\Install – SQL Server 2008 R2\Source folder.
Copy the SQL Server 2008 R2 SP1 x64 installation files to the C:\HydrationCM2012RC2\HydrationDS\Applications\Install – SQL Server 2008 R2 x64 SP1 (Update)\Source folder
Copy the SQL Server 2008 R2 SP1 CU4 installation file to the C:\HydrationCM2012RC2\HydrationDS\Applications\Install – SQL Server 2008 R2 SP1 CU4\Source folder
Copy the C:\HydrationCM2012RC2\HydrationDS\Applications\Install – ConfigMgr 2012 RC2\PreReqs\dotNetFx40_Full_x86_x64.exe file to the C:\HydrationCM2012RC2\HydrationDS\Applications\Install – NET Framework 4.0\Source folder
Extract your BGInfo installation files and copy them to C:\HydrationCM2012RC2\HydrationDS\Applications\Install – BGInfo\Source
Extract your Windows Server 2008 R2 Enterprise with SP1 installation files (or mount the ISO using an ISO mounting tool like SlySoft Virtual CloneDrive), and copy them to the C:\HydrationCM2012RC2\HydrationDS\Operating Systems\Windows Server 2008 R2 x64 folder
In the PowerShell command prompt, create the Hydration Media Item by running the following command:
C:\HydrationCM2012RC2\Source\2_CreateHydrationMediaItem.ps1
Copy the C:\HydrationCM2012RC2\Source\Media001\Control folder to C:\HydrationCM2012RC2\HydrationISO\Content\Deploy, replace existing files
In the PowerShell command prompt, update the Hydration Media Item (and create the ISO) by running the following command:
C:\HydrationCM2012RC2\Source\3_UpdateHydrationServersMedia.ps1

Step 3 – Create and deploy the virtual machines

In your virtual environment, make sure to have a dedicated virtual network for your virtual machines (since one of them will run a DHCP Server).
Copy the C:\HydrationCM2012RC2\HydrationISO\HydrationCM2012RC2.iso file to wherever folder you use store ISO files in your virtual environment.
Using either Hyper-V Manager or VMware Sphere, create a virtual machine named DC01 with a 300 GB hard drive, and at least 1 GB of RAM. Configure the virtual machine to use the virtual network dedicated for the Hydration, and to boot from the HydrationCM2012RC2.iso file.
Start the DC01 virtual machine, after booting from the iso, select the DC01 Task Sequence, and wait until the setup is complete.
Using either Hyper-V Manager or VMware Sphere, create a virtual machine named CM01 with a 300 GB hard drive, and at least 4 GB of RAM. Configure the virtual machine to use the virtual network dedicated for the Hydration, and to boot from the HydrationCM2012RC2.iso file.
Start the CM01 virtual machine, after booting from the iso, select the CM01 Task Sequence, and wait until the setup is complete.

Additional Configuration Notes:

If you need to change server names, IP addresses, domain names etc. in the environment, all configuration is stored in the four .ini files in the Source\Media001\Control folder.

/ Johan

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galicea

9 years ago

Thank you Johan. I appreciate the response.

Admin

The older hydration kits were made for MDT 2010 or MDT 2012, and does not work in MDT 2013 without modifications.

Hello, I have been able to use the Hydration kit for SCCM 2012 perfectly. However, I have attempted to re-create the same level of success using the Hydration Kit for SCCM 2007. The host which my hypervisor (Hyper-V) sits on is using MDT 2013. I am using the TS's and folder content from your Hydration Kit for 2007. My issue seems to begin when I boot the VM guests (DC01) into WinPE off of the Media created via the Hydration PoSH scripts. It seems I am stuck in an infinite loop. There are no errors to note, other than the… Read more »

Hi Hellins,

Send me an email, and I can help you offline (contact info is in the about section)

Hellins

Hi Johan, i have set my lab as specified in the guide however, i am getting the error message below during the litetouch deployment to create the DCO1 server. the message is the following: "litetouch deployment failed Return code: 2147467259 0x80004005. Message from the task sequence engine: Failed to save the environment to (80070057) Failed to run the action: Add windows Recovery (WinRE) Incorrect function (Error:00000001; Source:Windows) The execution of the group (Postinstall) has failed and the execution has been aborted. An action failed Operation aborted (error:80004004: source: Windows) Failed to run the last action: Add Windows Recovery (WinRE) Execution… Read more »

11 years ago

Hi Odd,

Thanks for your comment, great info…

I will make a note on this in the article.

hellwigc

Hi Johan,
Really great stuff. Thank you.
I did some customizing to use it with German versions. While the DHCP installation on DC01 the domain local groups DHCP Users & DHCP Administrators (in German: DHCP-Administratoren & DHCP-Benutzer) are not created automatically. In EventLog the Event ID 1035 appears, but dhcp works. After creating the both groups all is fine. I also run the Script from KB950375 to "cleanup" the Eventlog.

Now I'll work on the CM01….

Cheers
Christoph

OddMagne

I ran in to some problem using my Windows 8 Client as the Host for the Hydration Kit, it came down to being a problem using the PowerShell scripts with the new PowerShell 3.0 in Windows 8. (There is a know issue with the 'Import-Module' and 'Microsoft.PowerShell.Utility')

The workaround is to run PowerShell 2.0 when running the scripts

PowerShell.exe -Version 2 (You can run the command at any command prompt, including Windows PowerShell and Cmd.exe)

You can run the Get-Host to verify that you are on Version 2.0

For more information check here; msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/hh847899.aspx

Hi Brett,

If you re-download the Kit you will find the script that configure the SQL firewall ports (needed for Site to Site comunication). Thanks for the heads up.

bartrumb

Hello Johan,

I noticed in the task sequence for CM01 there is a an application named "Configure – Open Firewall for SQL Server 2008 Communication" that calls "Configure-OpenFirewallforSQL2008Communication.wsf". I can't seem to find the source folder or .wsf script. Has this been removed or am I just looking in the wrong spot. According to MDT it should be in ".ApplicationsConfigure – Open Firewall for SQL Server 2008 Communication" directory.

Thank you,
-Brett

GSimos

Thanks Johan!

Thanks George,

The RC2 Hydration Kit was updated with the TCPENABLED="1" on January 23, 2012. You most likely are using an older version of the Kit.

Hi John,

Because ConfigMgr 2012 needs the TCP protocol enabled on the SQL Server instance, would you like to enable it during the installation please,
checking the condfiguration file the only thing that needs change is this:

; Specify 0 to disable or 1 to enable the TCP/IP protocol.

TCPENABLED="0"

from "0" to "1"

If we don't enable it afterwards and restart the server, then ConfigMgr cannot discover resources. I got errors that couldn't connect to the DB.

Thanks in advance.

The MDT and WAIK is the same for all hydration kits so you don't need to download and install them again… I'm going to wait for MDT 2012 RTM until I upgrade the kits to that platform.

The kits are being build to run side-by-side…

kconway

In Step 1 illustrates all the software that must be downloaded. I have some of this software already installed from installing the MDT Hydration kit on the same server. Do I need to install MDT 2010 Update 1 and Windows AIK again for the Configuration Manager 2012 Hydration Kit or just leave whats already installed? I'm assuming you just copy the installation files from the downlads into the refrerenced hydration folders, correct? I know it sounds like a dumb question but I had to ask before I potentially tank our developemnt Hyper V Server.

Thanks,

Kevin

If you use dynamic disks, the specified size doesnt really matter. DC01 will just use the actual disk space on the host.

But if needed, you can change the partitioning action in the task sequence to your hearts content…

bil

Thanks Chris
I am running a little tight on space on my work PC, so I tried to get by with the bare minimum capacity. Setting the drive size to 80+GB allowed me to go past that point. Is there a size check in the process? I didn't think that a domain controller running additional roles would require that much space. Thanks again.

eretro

Hi bil,

Just a thought you really try to format 73GB sized harddisk in a 30 GB virtual Harddrive? please check Step 3 again there you see you should size your vhd to 300 GB each.

Good luck

/chris

Don't use virtualbox, it's simply not reliable enough. This hydration kit is tested with Hyper-V, VMware ESXi and VMWare Workstation (meaning vmware player should work too, even though I have not tested that one).

HelloThanks for taking the time to all this. I was trying to make the hydration Kit work on Virtual Box but I am running into a problem with litetouch formatting the drive. I have a VM with a 30GB fixed hard drive that I am using for DC01. The problem is that after I select DC01 script, it goes to Partition the disk and gives an error message about not finding C:Drive C: was not found. Unable to continue.Possible cause: DiskPart.exe [Configuration] error.==========================FAILURE ( 7712): False: Verify Drive/Volume (C:) is present. C: /FS:NTFS /V:System /Y /Q I tried multiple configurations:… Read more »

Thanks for the comment.

The reason I did not include WSUS is that the WSUS setup requires internet connection, and it's not always available when you do a lab and test in virtual machines. That being said, WSUS is i built-in role in Windows Server 2008 R2 and can be enabled via Server Manager, or scripted via the Install Roles and Features action in MDT.

Synew

WSUS is not installed on CM01 the ConfigMgr server. You can install WSUS as a package in the MDT task sequence using command line "wsus30-KB972455-x64.exe /q SQLINSTANCE_NAME=%COMPUTERNAME% DEFAULT_WEBSITE=0 CONTENT_LOCAL=1 CONTENT_DIR=D:WSUS". DEFAULT_WEBSITE=0 creates an alternate website in IIS with ports 8530 and 8531(SSL) for WSUS. The source files can be downloaded at http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?id=5216.

Have you installed MDT 2010 Update 1 and Windows AIK 2.0 on your machine?

You can also create the deployment share manually in the Deployment Workench (use the same settings as in the script).

slyvr317

I'm getting this error in step 17.

New-PSDrive : The deployment share at 'C:HydrationCM2012RC2HydrationDS' cannot be opened because it needs to be upgra
ded. The version of the deployment share is 0.0.0.0 while the required version is 5.1.1642.1.
At C:HydrationCM2012RC2Source2_CreateHydrationMediaItems.ps1:4 char:12
+ New-PSDrive <<<< -Name "DS001" -PSProvider MDTProvider -Root "C:HydrationCM2012RC2HydrationDS"
+ CategoryInfo : InvalidOperation: (DS001:PSDriveInfo) [New-PSDrive], DeploymentPointException
+ FullyQualifiedErrorId : UpgradeRequired,Microsoft.PowerShell.Commands.NewPSDriveCommand

Then again in step 19 and nothing gets created. I've gone through the steps a number of times and I'm stuck.

Thanks for any help.

I've done a 2nd build and it became 7.868 GB it's the same as I stated above.

One correction though, I extracted the SQL 2008 R2 Installation files from the DPM 2012 RC Evaluation Zip File (the Path in it is DPM_RCSQLSVR2008R2) and not from the Ops Manager 2012 RC.

Sorry for the double post above, my browser' fault 🙂

Johan, as always this is great stuff!
My ISO got something over 7 GB, everything installed flawlessly, because I downloaded the RC2 Private Cloud Preview, I opted to extract SQL 2008 R2 from the Ops Manager distribution, it did the job and I guess it's quite slimmer than the distribution' DVD ISO (over 4 GB).

I'd like to create a Video Walkthrough and post it on my site (gsimos.wordpress.com) along with some tips and tricks, is that OK with you?

Mozbe

Ahh, I see where I got confused. I was reading about CU3 plus that hotfix, not CU4. My bad. Also after i discovered that my CM01 machine never got added to the domain, so that caused a lot of failures after that. I suspect an error on how i configured my private network (think I made it internal) I did get that hotfix added in the task sequence (even though i know now its now needed) so I did learn something. Going to play with it more today. I also bought both of your books on Amazon this morning, so… Read more »

The KB 2603910 is included in CU4 for SQL Server 2008 R2 SP1, are you sure you are usign the RC2 version of the hydration kit, and not RC1?

In the RC1 kit I was using SQL Server 2008 SP2 CU6 (not R2) with the KB 2603910 hotfix

I was playing around with this last night, and this is great stuff. My first real foray into MDT and Powershell. I only had one problem. Installing the KB2603910 hotfix for SQL 2008 R2 isn't included, so the ConfigMgr 2012 install fails. I will be jumping in with both feet to see if I can figure out how to add it and remake the media so it will work. Great work and thanks again!!

Hey Chris,

Great stuff, thanks for the tip…

dot45

I created a powershell script that will download the required files and dump them in a single folder.
Yay for BITS 😀

mdt2012.com/content/system-center-2012-hydration-kit-downloader

Could be SQL, I have always used the full ISO content, and it's bigger than that 🙂

However, SQL missing will only break the SQL install in CM01, and you will be able to see that in the log. Most common issue for extending AD not working is not having DC01 (the domain controller) running, or on the same network. I have also seen people forgetting to copy the EXTADSCH.exe file to C:HydrationCM2012RC2HydrationDSApplicationsConfigure – Extend AD for ConfigMgr 2012Source.

peterc2609

Must be SQL…

Install – SQL Server 2008 R2 = 1.96gb
Install – SQL Server 2008 R2 SP1 CU4 = 333mb
Install – SQL Server 2008 R2 x64 SP1 (Update) = 309mb

Which one looks wrong?

Yep, the ISO should be about 10 GB, did you buy any chance forgot to add the Windows Server 2008 R2 operating system?

SQL is about 5.3 GB
CM2012 is about 1.83 GB
Win2008R2 is about 2.81 GB
The other folders about 0.7 GB

Hmmmm, my iso is only 7.56gb. (8,119,910,400 bytes to be exact)

I've had issues when its been trying to extend the AD Schema – but need to investigate the size of the iso first… does it nedfinitely need to be 10gb+?

You probably forgot this step:

18.Copy the C:HydrationCM2012RC2SourceMedia001Control folder to C:HydrationCM2012RC2HydrationISOContentDeploy, replace existing files

Meaning that in the C:HydrationCM2012RC2HydrationISOContentDeployControl folder you should have the following four .ini-files

Bootstrap.ini
CustomSettings.ini
CustomSettings_CM01.ini
CustomSettings_DC01.ini

If you are missing these files, add them in, close the virtual machine, and update the media item (ISO) again. Either by running the 3_UpdateHydrationServersMedia.ps1 script, or by open Deployment Workbench, select the MEDIA001 item, and select update.

lowie

When i run the install of the OS for the DC im getting the following error:

Unable to find rules INI file, rc = 1
ZTI error – Non-zero return Code by ZTIGather, rc = 8000

Any ideas why?

@mjbrown.com.au

Yep that was it. Thanks mate.

Now back to watching A Geeks guide to the Galaxy – Building a SC 2012 Configuration Manager OS Deployment Solution

Verify that TCPIP is enabled as the protocol on the SQL Server, I had it disabled in the first release of the download, it's now enabled.

Love your work.
I did run into an issues enabling the Forest Discovery. Screenshot of the error i44.tinypic.com/2morsc7.png

I disabled the firewalls on both servers, checked they have connectivity, checked the extadsch log to make sure that didn't fail, checked the SQL connections to make sure remote connections was ticked; timeout 600sec, nothing in the event viewer on the DC but on the CM01 I have 2 events: Summarizer set SMS_AD_FOREST_DISCOVERY_MANAGER to Critical and SMS_MP_CONTROL_MANAGER MP cont mgr detected manager point is not responding to HTTP requests.

Any ideas?

Great, thanks…

ntrpnr

Works like a charm.

I wrote a blog post about what to have in mind during the steps above.

ntrpnr.posterous.com/johan-arwidmarks-sccm-2012-rc2-hydration-kit