1-2-3, and the vDisk is ready!

There are certain tasks where, as an admin, you know exactly how the afternoon will unfold. vDisk imaging is a classic example: launch the Imaging Wizard, sit there, wait, restart the master, check if any sessions are still open, then laboriously copy the vDisk to the other PVS servers, and finally import it into PVS. It takes half an afternoon—and you rarely get it done in one go.

There's another way. With PVS Forge, it takes just three steps—the tool takes care of the rest.

Step 1: Enter your login information

You only need to enter the login credentials for the Master Target Device—an account with local administrator privileges—once in the settings. PVS Forge stores them securely, so you don't have to re-enter them every time you run the process.

That was the setup. From here on, it's just a matter of a few seconds for each vDisk.

Step 2: Locate the Master Target

On the Imaging page, enter the name of the master target—in this example, „SRV14.” PVS Forge finds it directly in Active Directory and suggests the full FQDN. One click, and the target appears in the list.

No need to type out FQDNs or look them up. Just the name is enough.

Step 3: Select a store, check the status, play

Now just select the destination store, check the status (it should say „Ready“), and Sync remains enabled by default — and press Play. That's it.

And then? Forge takes care of the rest.

Once you press Play, everything runs automatically—provided the login credentials are correct and the protocols are accessible: WinRM, SMB, and PVS Forge Exchange.

Then this is what happens—without you having to sit right next to it:

• The vDisk is created automatically.
• The Master Target will restart automatically if necessary.
• Open RDP and console sessions are properly logged out—if desired.
• The finished vDisk is synchronized to all PVS servers.
• And imported into the PVS.

No sitting around, no manual copying, no follow-up work. You'll get a notification when everything is done—even at home.

Why This Is More Than Just Convenience

The real benefit isn't just the time saved. It's the Reproducibility. A process that always runs the same way always makes the same—namely, no—errors. No forgotten session that disrupts the sealing process. No PVS server to which the new vDisk was accidentally not copied. No „I’ll do the import right away“ that ends up getting put off until tomorrow.

Three steps, one click, and the rest is taken care of. Imaging doesn't get any easier than this.