Multiple WDS Server Architecture: Single domain, multiple domains or across forests

InfoTechdude 156 Reputation points
2020-11-13T15:52:45.057+00:00

Hi,

What if a company decides to go from 1 WDS server to 3? What would be the differences if you place all WDS servers in 1 domain, multiple domains and in many forests (resource records, permissions, architecture, scope changes etc)? What are the options regarding failover and high availability?

WDS1, WDS2, WDS 3

Windows
Windows
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Windows Server 2012
Windows Server 2012
A Microsoft server operating system that supports enterprise-level management, data storage, applications, and communications.
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  1. Joy Qiao 4,886 Reputation points Microsoft Employee
    2020-11-16T09:29:37.85+00:00

    Hi,

    As official article Windows Deployment Services Overview says,

    39960-capture.png

    So we could configure multiple WDS in your company.

    But if you have different domain environment, it would be recommended to configure multiple WDS servers in a domain rather than one WDS server cross multiple domain which will have a heavy load to response.

    However, as Multiple WDS server on the same network? says,

    However, you will not have an option to choose which WDS server you would like to connect.
    When PXE booting from a client, The first WDS server who responds to it will server this client. If you would like to manually set which WDS server will serve a client, you can prestage the client, update IP helper or use DHCP options.

    Please note: Information posted in the given link is hosted by a third party. Microsoft does not guarantee the accuracy and effectiveness of information.

    Bests,

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