Set the Windows Deployment Services Mode
The default in Microsoft HPC Pack is to respond only to Pre-boot Execution Environment (PXE) requests that come from existing nodes. This default setting is automatically changed when you add nodes to your cluster from bare metal using the Add Node Wizard.
The way in which the head node processes PXE requests is determined by the mode in which Windows Deployment Services is running on the head node. During the process of adding nodes from bare metal, the Windows Deployment Services mode is temporarily changed and the head node responds to all PXE requests. At the end of the Add Node Wizard, on the Completing the Add Node Wizard page you are prompted to decide if you want to continue responding to all PXE requests, or if you want to go back to responding only to requests that come from existing nodes. Depending on which option you choose, the Windows Deployment Services mode is automatically changed back to the default mode, or left unchanged.
You can manually change the Windows Deployment Services mode at any time in HPC Cluster Manager, without having to run the Add Node Wizard, by changing the deployment settings.
To set the Windows Deployment Services Mode
In the menu bar, click Options, and then click Deployment Settings. The Deployment Settings dialog box appears.
Click one of the two options for how Windows Deployment Services should respond to PXE requests:
Respond only to PXE requests that come from existing nodes. This is the default setting. Any new computer that contacts the head node with a PXE request will be ignored.
Respond to all PXE requests. If a new computer contacts the head node with a PXE request, Windows Deployment Services will respond to that request and alert the HPC Management Service. The computer is then assigned a name according to the node naming series specified during configuration, and it is listed with that name in Node Management, under the Unknown node state, and with Unapproved node health.
To set the new Windows Deployment Services mode, click OK.
Additional considerations
- For information about using HPC Cluster Manager, see Overview of HPC Cluster Manager.