Install and Configure Quest SDA Appliances

Install Configure Quest – Install and configure Quest SDA appliances, including virtual and physical setup, IP settings, DHCP, PXE, FTP, WinPE, backups and package export.

Virtual Appliance

Download

Install Configure Quest – Download link: download-new-releases

Prerequisites

RequirementDetails
ProcessorTwo or more vCPUs
Memory4 GB or more (Dedicated/Shared = High)
Network InterfaceOne Ethernet Port
Available Disk Space500 GB, 1 TB, 3 TB (VMware®); 500 GB, 1 TB (Microsoft® Hyper-V®)

Physical Appliance

Install Configure Quest – If you have opted for physical appliances, here is a KACE article on configuring iDRAC cards: idrac-for-k-appliances

Install Configure Quest – With a diagram of the Appliances:

Install Configure Quest screenshot

Network

Used Ports

Install Configure Quest – The appliance must have an internet connection for driver downloads and appliance activation:

  • 80 — HTTP
  • 139, 135, 445 — SAMBA share
  • 22 — SSH (outbound only for tethers, and for syncing to RSA and single sign-on)
  • 389 — LDAP (if using LDAP authentication)
  • 636 — LDAPS (if using secure LDAP authentication)
  • 67 — DHCP
  • 69 — TFTP
  • 4011 — PXE
  • 8108 — Media Manager

Install Configure Quest – Source: kb 129799

Network Configuration

Install Configure Quest – Reserve an IP address for the Appliance and create a DNS alias. Follow the detailed steps to properly configure your network.

Configuration on Console

  • At the platform’s startup, we use the native KACE account:
    • Login: konfig
    • Password: konfig
  • At this point, the platform prompts the administrator to enter essential information for its proper functioning on the target network.
  • Once the various fields are filled in and saved, the platform automatically restarts to finalize its internal settings.
  • Upon restart, we confirm the successful validation of the information entered:
Configuration Validation

Configuration On Web Console

License and Admin Password Configuration

Install Configure Quest – From the web console: http://SDA

  • The first page to which the QUEST platform redirects corresponds to its initial setup.
  • You must enter the first pieces of information necessary for the platform’s proper functioning.
Initial Setup
  • Once the initial configuration is applied, the KBOX SDA restarts.
SDA Restart
  • You can then log into the Appliance (with the admin account).
Quest SDA appliance network configuration

Password Configuration

Install Configure Quest – Summary of passwords in SDA:

Install Configure Quest – In “Settings ” “Control Panel” “General Settings”:

Quest SDA appliance network configuration

Install Configure Quest – Three passwords are essential in K2000. Make sure to configure them properly to avoid any security issues:

  • Samba Share Password
    • This password is used to connect to KACE shares (driver uploads, etc.) and by the WinPE environments.
    • If you change this password, you will need to recreate the WinPE images.
Quest SDA appliance network configuration
  • Boot Manager Password
    • This password is used by the PXE and prevents WinPE boot for those who do not know the password.
    • Attention: The password will be entered on the physical station with a QWERTY keyboard, while from the interface, the password will be entered with an AZERTY keyboard.
Quest SDA appliance network configuration
  • VNC Password
    • This password allows control over the WinPE environments.
Quest SDA appliance network configuration

Install Configure Quest –

DHCP in Windows 2012 or Later

Install Configure Quest – Note: UEFI PXE is supported, but Secure Boot must be disabled unless you deploy a properly signed bootloader.

Scope-wide settings

  • Option 66 (Boot Server Host Name): set to the SDA’s IP or FQDN.
  • Do not set Option 67 at scope level; it will be set by policy.

Create Vendor Classes

Install Configure Quest – In DHCP Manager → IPv4 → Set Predefined Options… → Vendor Classes… → Add:

  1. Name: BIOS PXE Boot
    ASCII: PXEClient:Arch:00000
  2. Name: UEFI x64 PXE Boot
    ASCII: PXEClient:Arch:00007
  3. Name: UEFI x86 PXE Boot
    ASCII: PXEClient:Arch:00009

Install Configure Quest – (Tick Append wildcard when prompted so sub-matches are included.)

Create PXE Policies (per Scope)

Install Configure Quest – Right-click your Scope → Policies → New Policy…

A. BIOS policy
  • Name: BIOS PXE Boot Policy
  • Condition: Vendor Class is → BIOS PXE Boot (with Append wildcard enabled)
  • No IP range criteria
  • Vendor Class (Options): set Option 67 (Bootfile Name) = undionly.kpxe
B. UEFI policy (one policy, two classes)
  • Name: UEFI PXE Boot Policy
  • Conditions:
    • Vendor Class is → UEFI x64 PXE Boot (Append wildcard) → Add
    • Vendor Class is → UEFI x86 PXE Boot (Append wildcard) → Add
  • No IP range criteria
  • Vendor Class (Options): set Option 67 (Bootfile Name) = ipxe.efi

Result (what you should see)

  • 1× Option 66 at scope level (SDA address).
  • 2× Policies total:
    • BIOS policy → Option 67 = undionly.kpxe
    • UEFI policy (covers Arch 00007 & 00009) → Option 67 = ipxe.efi

Quick reference

  • Arch 00000: Legacy BIOS (x86)
  • Arch 00007: UEFI x64
  • Arch 00009: UEFI x86

Backups

Install Configure Quest – Schedule regular backups to avoid data loss. Whether you choose to back up manually or automatically, we guide you through the process.

Scheduling

  • In “Setting ”, select the “Package Management” tab
  • Then select the packages to export and choose “Schedule export for selected”
Quest SDA appliance network configuration
  • Schedule the export time
Quest SDA appliance network configuration
  • In “Setting ”, select the “Package Management” tab
  • Select “Offboard Package Transfer”

Package Export

Install Configure Quest – If your Appliance crashes, it is necessary to export the packages,

Quest SDA appliance network configuration

Install Configure Quest – EXPORT TO AN FTP SERVER

  • Activate “Enable Offboard Package Transfer”
  • The backup can be performed on an FTP server.
Quest SDA appliance network configuration

Install Configure Quest – Be cautious, when adding new images or tasks, you will need to schedule the export of these new packages.

Next Step

WinPE Environments Management

Windows Deployment