NOTE: This Hydration kit has been updated, 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 SP1 Beta infrastructure running on Windows Server 2012 and SQL Server 2012 in either Hyper-V or VMware: One Domain Controller and one ConfigMgr 2012 SP1 Beta member server – Including pre-requisites like .Net Framework, SQL Server 2012 CU2 (or higher) and IIS – all fully automated.
Once configured, the total build time for the full ConfigMgr 2012 SP1 Beta lab environment is about 2 hours (on my laptop).
Download the Hydration Kit for ConfigMgr 2012 SP1 Beta (132 kb).
Overview
To build the lab there are three steps you need to do
- Download the necessary software
- Prepare the Hydration Environment
- Deploy the virtual machines
Detailed instructions are further down this page… see the Step-by-Step Guide section


Step-by-Step Guide
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.
- Download the following software:
- The Hydration Kit sample files (download)
- BGInfo
- MDT 2012 Update 1
- ADK (run the setup downloader to download the full ADK)
- SQL Server 2012
- SQL Server 2012 CU3 (KB 2723749)
- Windows Server 2012 (trial or full version)
- System Center Configuration Manager 2012 SP1 Beta + PreReqs
Note: to download the ConfigMgr 2012 SP1 Beta pre-requisites, run the SMSSETUPBINX64Setupdl.exe application from the ConfigMgr 2012 SP1 Beta installation files, specify a temporary download folder and click Download.

Step 2 – Prepare the Hydration Environment
Create the hydration deployment share
- On the Windows machine that you use to manage Hyper-V or VMware, install ADK (adksetup.exe) selecting only the following components:
- Deployment Tools
- Windows Preinstallation Environment (Windows PE)
- Install MDT 2012 Update 1 (MicrosoftDeploymentToolkit2012_x64.msi) with the default settings.
- Extract the HydrationCM2012SP1Beta.zip sample file to C:.
- You should now have the following folder containing a few subfolders and PowerShell scripts.
C:\HydrationCM2012SP1Beta\Source
- In an elevated (run as Administrator) 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:\HydrationCM2012SP1Beta\Source\1_CreateHydrationDeploymentShare.ps1
- Merge the hydration kit content with the new deployment share by running the following command:
C:\HydrationCM2012SP1Beta\Source\2_MergeDeploymentShareWithHydrationKit.ps1
Populate the hydration deployment share with the downloaded files
- Copy the BGInfo file (bginfo.exe) to the following folder:
C:\HydrationCM2012SP1Beta\DS\Applications\Install – BGInfo\Source
- Copy the ADK installation files to the following folder:
C:\HydrationCM2012SP1Beta\DS\Applications\Install – ADK\Source
- Copy the SQL Server 2012 installation files (the content of the ISO, not the actual ISO) to the following folder:
C:\HydrationCM2012SP1Beta\DS\Applications\Install – SQL Server 2012\Source
- Copy the SQL Server 2012 CU3 installation file (SQLServer2012-KB2723749-x64.exe) to the following folder:
C:\HydrationCM2012SP1Beta\DS\Applications\Install – SQL Server 2012 CU3\Source
- Copy the ConfigMgr 2012 SP1 Beta installation files (extract the download) to the following folder:
C:\HydrationCM2012SP1Beta\DS\Applications\Install – ConfigMgr 2012\Source
- Copy the ConfigMgr 2012 SP1 Beta PreReqs files to the following folder:
C:\HydrationCM2012SP1Beta\DS\Applications\Install – ConfigMgr 2012\PreReqs
- Copy the ConfigMgr 2012 SP1 Beta EXTADSCH.exe file (SMSSETUPBINX64) to the following folder:
C:\HydrationCM2012SP1Beta\DS\Applications\Configure – Extend AD for ConfigMgr 2012\Source
- Copy the Windows Server 2012 installation files (the content of the ISO, not the actual ISO) to the following folder:
C:\HydrationCM2012SP1Beta\DS\Operating Systems\W2012
Create the hydration ISO (MDT 2012 Update offline media item)
- Using Deployment Workbench (available on the start menu), expand Deployment Shares, and expand Hydration MDT 2012 Update 1.
- Review the various nodes. The Applications, Operating Systems and Task Sequences nodes should all have some content in them.
The Hydration deployment share, listing the task sequences. - Expand the Advanced Configuration node, and then select the Media node.
- 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 (HydrationCM2012SP1Beta.iso) in the C:\HydrationCM2012SP1Beta\ISO folder. The HydrationCM2012SP1Beta.iso should be about 12 GB in size.

Step 3 – Deploy the virtual machines
Deploying DC01
- Using Hyper-V Manager or VMware Sphere, create a virtual machine with the following settings:
- Name: DC01
- Hard drive: 100 GB (dynamic disk)
- Memory: 1 GB
- Network: Your lab network
- Image file (ISO): C:\HydrationCM2012SP1Beta\ISO\HydrationCM2012SP1Beta.iso
- Start the DC01 virtual machine. After booting from HydrationCM2012SP1Beta.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 other virtual machine (CM01).
Deploying CM01
- Using Hyper-V Manager or VMware Sphere, create a virtual machine with the following settings:
- Name: CM01
- Hard drive: 300 GB (dynamic disk)
- Memory: 6 GB (minimum, 16 GB RAM recommended)
- Network: Your lab network
- Image file (ISO): C:\HydrationCM2012SP1Beta\ISO\HydrationCM2012SP1Beta.iso
- Start the CM01 virtual machine. After booting from HydrationCM2012SP1Beta.iso, and after WinPE has loaded, select the CM01 task sequence.
- Wait until the setup is complete and you see the Hydration Complete message in the final summary.
Done!
/ Johan
The ConfigMgr 2012 SP1 Beta is available on Connect
/ Johan
Can you provide a link to the trial of SCCM? I don't think it installed properly on my CM01 server and I want to make sure I have the correct installer downloaded. Thanks!
rshugart: press F8 and verify that you can access the disk via diskpart.
/ Johan
For those having problem with the ADK installation:
Copy adksetup.exe to C:HydrationCM2012SP1BetaDSApplicationsInstall – ADKSource
Copy the downloaded for ADK content to C:HydrationCM2012SP1BetaDSApplicationsInstall – ADKSourceInstallers
I had all the files in C:HydrationCM2012SP1BetaDSApplicationsInstall – ADKSource at first and that didn't work 😛
Other notes:
Also make sure all the C:HydrationCM2012SP1BetaDSApplicationsInstall – XXXSource folders are populated with content. I accidently copied content some content to C:HydrationCM2012SP1BetaSourceDSApplicationsXXX and doesn't work of course.
My ISO ended up being 11,5 GB and it works.
Also make sure that the CM01 HDD is atleast 110 GB, ConfigMgr needs a minimum of 5 GB free diskspace to install…
Hey Thunderbird311, Yes the CM01 machine is joining the domain (assuming DC01 is running, and on the same network). That being said, we did a IT Camp event with Microsoft in Sweden, and we had about 200 people hydrating a lab environment. For about 10 of the people, CM01 failed to join the domain, and they were all using the same ISO! They usually got 054b errors in the netsetup.log, but the DC01 was really operational… strange…. Please check the C:WindowsDebugnetsetup.log file on CM01. You can also try to join CM01 manually, but then you need to run the scripts… Read more »
Is the CM01 server supposed to be a domain member after the hydration completes? I successfully deployed the DC01 server, then with DC01 running successfully deployed the CM01 server, but it is still a workgroup member.
rshugart: send me an email, my alias is my last name and I'm using gmail.
dantignac: The install- .wsf files are just wrappers for consistency if application deployments, the other perform various configurations for the environment.
/ Johan
Hi
Question, What is the purpose of using wsf files to install the applications in this kit?
Hi:
I'm getting the message
The deployment Wizard was cancelled or did not complete successfully. The deployment will not proceed.
immediately when I boot the created ISO in my VM. The ISO is the right size and everything looks normal, any ideas what might cause this?
Thanks a lot.
Hi Johan
Thanks for the tipe re changing the paths – this did the trick..
And i just bought Vols 2,3 and 4 (already had 1) 🙂
Cheers
Richard
I have seen timing issues on some hosts with the DHCP configuration, try add a restart after the Install – DHCP action and see if it helps
/ Johan
The only thing that comes to mind is that you forgot to specify the network access account in software distributions settings, or set an incorrect password. Use the new password verification feature whan adding the account (verify against DC01sysvol).
/ Johan
Hello.
My setup is running fine, but I have a problem with PXE booted machines, that can't access the packages in the tasksequence. When i try to access the shares on the DP from CMD, I get "Access Denied" If i enter a domainuser, I can acess the DP. Any idea whats wrong ?
I am having an issue with the DC not adding DHCP or DNS. The smsts.log shows DHCP installation as successful, then fails to create a scope because it isn't installed. Anyone have any ideas?
Most likely some files are missing, the media update doesn't check the file contents, it just creates the ISO.
Please contact me offline (send an email)… my alias is my last name and I'm using gmail 🙂
/ Johan
My iso is only 9,5gig .. no errors in media update.. and dcpromo failed it seems
Typo, it's supposed to be more than 12 GB
/ Johan
I have the opposite problem to Richard, above. The size of my ISO is around 12.5 Gb rather than the 6.5 Gb quoted. TBH, I'm not surprised either given that is contains W2012, SQL2012 and CM2012. So what have I done wrong?
Cheers
Simon
If the ISO is that small you most likely copied all media to the wrong folders… They should be copied to C:HydrationCM2012SP1BetaDS, not C:HydrationCM2012SP1BetaSourceDS.
Also make sure to run the scripts from an elevated command prompt (run as administrator), and to have at least 30 – 40 GB free space on the C: drive.
/ Johan
Hi Johan Thanks for the updated tool..:-) I am trying to update the media but its continually failing with "Unable to mount the WIM, so the update process cannot continue." Have tried doing launch of workbench both as normal (as Admin user) and with elevation (Run as Admin).Also can run the Deployment tools command prompt with elevation OK (and execute DISM within) I have uninstalled the ADK, MDT 2012 U1, then reinstalled it from scratch etc.Also tried with the WAIK 3.0 too. This is the MDT Output: Starting MDT Media UpdateOpened the media deployment share.Folders to be copied to the… Read more »
TheWoz, please send me a recursive directory listing of the "Install ADK" folder? Also send the Install-ADK.log file.
Email me at the arwidmark alias on gmail
/ Johan
Hi Dietmar,
The deployment guys customization script for the Windows 7 start menu, have been reported to work also with the Windows 8 start screen
/ Johan
I have followed this site for some time and it provides great solutions. I have tried this hydration and get the DC01 installed fine. I go to CM01 and the process continues to he installation of Adk. At this time the install seems to continue but neither the ADK or Config Manager are installed. I copied the ADKsetup.exe, the manifest.xml and the installers folder to the C:HydrationCM2012SP1BetaDSApplicationsInstall – ADKSource directory. I tried the install a couple times with the same results. Any suggestions?
I got the DC running but CM01 is not. I get all up to SQL CU3 installed but the ADK and Config Manager Fail. I think it may be in the path. I copied the installers folder, adksetup.exe and UserExperienceManifest.xml to the C:HydrationCM2012SP1BetaDSApplicationsInstall – ADKSource folder. its about 4 GB. I tried it a couple times. Can anyone help.
I got the DC running but CM01 is not. I get all up to SQL CU3 installed but the ADK and Config Manager Fail. I think it may be in the path. I copied the installers folder, adksetup.exe and UserExperienceManifest.xml to the C:HydrationCM2012SP1BetaDSApplicationsInstall – ADKSource folder. its about 4 GB. I tried it a couple times. Can anyone help.
Technically you can deploy CM2012 on a machine with 3 GB of memory, but running it on less than 6 GB is painful, even for learn and basic tests… For trainings we dedicate between 6 – 12 GB for a single site server, and 4 – 6 CPU's…
For a real labs I don't use less than 16 GB RAM abd 4 CPU's (SQL configured to use 8 GB). For production, way beyond that…
/ Johan
Hi Johan!
Great work, thanks!
Have deployed the DC01, about to deploy CM01. How rigid are the memory minimums? Will it run on, let's say 3gb? I do not have 6gb ram availiable in my lav environment.
Hi Johan!
Great work, thanks!
Have deployed the DC01, about to deploy CM01. How rigid are the memory minimums? Will it run on, let's say 3gb? I do not have 6gb ram availiable in my lav environment.
Jeff, Thanks, doc updated…
Rob, to mount an ISO in Hyper-V, just double-click the virtual machine, and in the Media menu, select DVD-Drive, and then select Insert disk…
Kris, I sent you an email, you are using the wrong MDT version, it really needs to be MDT 2012 Update 1 for this kit.
/ Johan
Hey Kris.
Please email the logs to me, my alias is arwidmark, and I'm using gmail.
Get all the logs from C:WindowstempDeploymentLogs
Get DCPROMO.LOg and dcproomoui.log from C:WindowsDebug
Ger AD_Answer.txt from %Temp%
/ Johan
Thanks for this.
I have a problem deploying DC01 as the Configure ADDS step fails.
Any Ideas?
Hi Johan,
I love all your content on all sites in the big www. Your work save so much time for deployment! The Hydration Kit is a wonderful big howto! Thanks for this!
Now deploying Windows 8 there is one big problem: How do you customize the metro-start menu for all users? Show the Office icons for example? Thanks for help!
There is no documentation out there. Any ideas?
I love this site and all the helpful stuff you post.
I am trying this out now using Hyper-V but confess to having used VMware in the past. Really want to get into Hyper-V so am giving it a go.
However I am at the point where I need to use the ISO created to boot the two virtual servers from. The doc says to point the boot CD tot he ISo on the machine running Hyper-V manager but it won't let me do that.
Have I missed something?
Any advice appreciated.
Rob
Johan,
thanks for this, but i found you'll need to update the doco:
from this:
5. Copy the ConfigMgr 2012 SP1 Beta installation files (extract the download) to the following folder:
C:HydrationCM2012SP1BetaDSApplicationsInstall – SQL Server 2012Source
6. Copy the ConfigMgr 2012 SP1 Beta PreReqs files to the following folder:
C:HydrationCM2012SP1BetaDSApplicationsInstall – SQL Server 2012PreReqs
to this:
5. Copy the ConfigMgr 2012 SP1 Beta installation files (extract the download) to the following folder:
C:HydrationCM2012SP1BetaDSApplicationsInstall – ConfigMgr 2012Source
6. Copy the ConfigMgr 2012 SP1 Beta PreReqs files to the following folder:
C:HydrationCM2012SP1BetaDSApplicationsInstall – ConfigMgr 2012PreReqs
much appreciate all your docos. very helpful.
Jeff