Creating WinPE image for disk backup and automated restore
Hi
I have several computers at a testing lab, that I have a PXE server with WDS, which loads Winpe images with Ghost, that take OS images from a network location, and automatically deploy them on the computers.
For example, if I need to deploy an OS image on a computer, I boot from network, choose a WinPE image from the menu, and then wait for the automated restore process to finish and reboot the computer.
For a while (several years actually), Ghost workked fine and dandy for us.
But a month ago, we got several new computers in our lab, desktops with Z170 chipset and i7 processor, ASUS and Gigabyte motherboard.
The Ghost didn't work on restoring partition on them (something with different UEFI versions), so my manager suggested using Acronis True Image.
When I try to back up and restore manually, with Acronis TI installed on a separate computer, it backs up and restores fine, but I want to set up and automated restore on WinPE images and disk images on a network location, just like I have with Ghost.
Is it possible with Acronis True Image? If yes, then how?
Thank you kindly for the answer

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No, I'm afraid it's too expensive - I have a lot of computers (like 400) that need deployment from time to time, so the current price is too much from me.
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Hello Vadim,
in fact Acronis Snap Deploy license costs less than Acronis True Image 2016 license:
Acronis True Image 2016 for 1 machine - $49.99
Acronis Snap Deploy 5 for PC machine license - $25
Acronis Snap Deploy 5 for PC deployment license - $9,99.
In this article you can read more about Acronis Snap Deploy 6 licensing: http://www.acronis.com/en-us/support/documentation/ASD5/index.html#1545…
Thank you,
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Another question - is Snap Deploy like MDT? Does it deploy OS images like True Image, or goes through the full install process, like MDT?
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Hello Vadim,
Thank you for your posting! The entire process is similar to backup and restore, but allows more centralized management options and at the end you will have fully configured systems. With Acronis Snap Deploy you can take a Master image of your system (with or without application software and any other data, you can prepare the system for deployment manually with SysPrep or Acronis Snap Deploy will do it) - and then deploy this image to multiple machines. Because the product uses disk imaging technology, it is ideal for rapid bare-metal installations and flexible centralized provisioning.
Thank you,
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