Can't start my WinPE WIM image from a Task

[YYoudi]

Hello,
I’m currently trying to replicate my existing iPXE Menu Entry into a Task Type using the Task Type Edit Plugin. However, this is my first time attempting such a task, and I couldn’t find examples online to guide me.

Here’s the working iPXE Menu Entry that I’m trying to replicate:

Name: fog.litetouch64

Parameters:

kernel http://ip_address/isoimg/wimboot
initrd http://ip_address/isoimg/x64/Boot/BCD BCD
initrd http://ip_address/isoimg/x64/Boot/boot.sdi boot.sdi
initrd -n boot.wim http://ip_address/isoimg/LiteTouchPE_x64.wim boot.wim
boot

Boot Options: None

This entry successfully boots my LiteTouchPE WIM image. However, I want to automate the process to boot it on multiple machines simultaneously.
Additionally, I noticed that existing Task Type Entries often have empty fields, and even my entry had its “Kernel Arguments” field cleared after saving.

If anyone has the correct documentation or any guidance on how to properly use this plugin, I would greatly appreciate your help.

[YYoudi]

I attempted to create a Task Type Entry with the following configuration:

Kernel: http://ip_address/isoimg/wimboot
Kernel Arguments: boot

Init:

http://ip_address/isoimg/x64/Boot/BCD BCD
http://ip_address/isoimg/x64/Boot/boot.sdi boot.sdi
-n boot.wim http://ip_address/isoimg/LiteTouchPE_x64.wim boot.wim

Type: None
However, when I try to execute this task, I encounter the following error when booting on my task

"Running post init scripts... Done
An error has been detected
Init version: 20231208
Fatal Error: Unknown Request type :: Null

Kernel variables and settings:
bzImage loglevel=4, initrd=init.xz, root=/dev/ram0 rw ramdisk_size=27500
[...]

[YYoudi]

If needed here is the screenshot of what’s happening when booting on my task:

[Tom Elliott]

@YYoudi Can you clearly define what “Task” you’re trying to accomplish?

Creating new tasks is technically possible, but I don’t know why you would need to in regards to WinPE

Tasks are generally relegated to perform some action on the host machine and then releasing back to the while.

in you case it seems you’re trying to do some "action’ but those actions are handled explicitly by WinPE, not managed by FOG.

You should look into custom ipxe menu item that would just boot to the winpe wim image thingy and then it would just do your actions.

Something like this:
https://forums.fogproject.org/topic/10944/using-fog-to-pxe-boot-into-your-favorite-installer-images

Might help.

[george1421]

@Tom-Elliott I think I understand what is going on here, and what the OP is trying to do. I think I tried to do the same thing and ran into a similar error.

If I can guess correctly, the OP is trying to create a custom task, as with maybe the fog built in task to scan a vm for a virus (only used as an example). What the OP did is create a new custom task with the task type edit plugin. The intent of his task is to boot using the parameters values, as if you were to create a fog ipxe menu. What the OP wants to do is to apply a custom task to a set of computers. Have the target computers reboot and then run the contents of the parameters block as if there was a tech sitting in front of the computer and select the menu entry. So that is the premise of what I was trying to do.

What was really happening is that the task was applied to the target computer and then rebooted, but instead of booting using the parameters in the parameters box, it boots into fos linux and applies the contents of the parameters block as kernel parameters instead of booting winboot. So in this case the OP is getting the Null message because fog didn’t tell it to unload or download an image. I’m not sure if I explained it properly, but I can understand why the OP got the Null message, because that is coming from FOS Linux and not wimboot.

[YYoudi]

Hello @Tom-Elliott and @george1421,

I’m trying to send you a message explaining everything but my post is flagged as spam and it doesn’t explain why. I also struggled with this with my first post I had to split it in multiples messages to make it work
Here is my message on a pastebin note : https://markdownpastebin.com/?id=1617a812e23947de85120620b19b0bed

[george1421]

@YYoudi Yes I understand, you are trying to do what I was attempting to do in the past. I was able to prove what was happening in the past and why it was failing. To fix the issue will require a change in the FOG php code.

[YYoudi]

@george1421 said in Can't start my WinPE WIM image from a Task:

To fix the issue will require a change in the FOG php code.

Okay, is it something achievable ? booting an ISO of WIM with a task ? I have nearly 0 knowledges in PHP but I don’t mind modifying my FOG instances for this. All my team is asking for this feature.

[YYoudi]

@george1421 Hello,
This feature is still highly asked to me about our FOG Deployment in our company. Do you mind giving me more informations about how can I achieve to boot my WIM / ISO image with a Fog Task ?