Using the LocationServer.xml feature in MDT 2013

MDT Lite Touch has a built-in functions to prompt for deployment share via the LocationServer.xml file. Most times I use the default gateway property to have clients automatically select the right server depending on what subnet they are on, but sometimes prompting can be useful too.

Note: By default the logic in this feature cleans any credentials provided in bootstrap.ini.

The LocationServer.xml feature

This feature allows for MDT to dynamically generate bootstrap.ini values for DeployRoot and is implemented as follows:

  1. Create the LocationServer.xml file, and specify the various deployment servers.  
  2. Copy the LocationServer.xml file to the \Deploy\Control folder in your boot image. The easiest way is via the Extra directory to add feature on the deployment share.
  3. Modify the Bootstrap.ini file to not include any DeployRoot value (since the LocationServer.xml feature dynamically sets it).
  4. Update the deployment share (which updates the boot image), and replace the boot image on your WDS server.

Sample file

Here is a sample LocationServer.xml file that allow you to select between two deployment servers.

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8" ?>
<servers>
    <QueryDefault></QueryDefault>
    <server>
        <serverid>1</serverid>
        <friendlyname>
          ViaMonstra HQ, New York, USA
        </friendlyname>
        <UNCPath>\\MDT01\MDTProduction$</UNCPath>
    </server>
    <server>
        <serverid>2</serverid>
        <friendlyname>
          ViaMonstra BO, Stockholm, Sweden
        </friendlyname>
        <UNCPath>\\MDT02\MDTProduction$</UNCPath>
    </server>
</servers>

Deployment Wizard

This is how the deployment wizard looks after enabling the LocationServer.xml feature.

image

Happy Deployment, Johan

About the author

Johan Arwidmark

5 1 vote
Article Rating
Subscribe
Notify of
guest
4 Comments
Newest
Oldest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Michael Georg
Michael Georg
1 month ago

Where would I edit the line "Select my deployment share based on my site Locale:"? I want to make the choice to be either Win 10 or Win 11.

nikko
nikko
5 months ago

Hi Johan, Is this still possible? I've added the locationserver.xml to DeploymentShare\Extra Files\Deploy and DeploymentShare\Control\ removed the deploy root in bootstrap.ini, added the Extra Files directory for WINPE Customization in x64, updated the boot images, imported the new littouch boot image into WDS but the drop down for the Site selection is still empty for me. Have I missed something?

Last edited 5 months ago by nikko

>