Purpose
Document a repeatable, “build-from-scratch” procedure for deploying an Ubuntu-based PXE boot server that can host GE Aerospace Windows PE images.

Prerequisites
Hardware: Server or PC with ≥ 8 GB RAM, ≥ 250 GB disk, and one NIC (one for build / Internet, one for isolated PXE LAN)

https://myaccess.microsoft.us/@ge.onmicrosoft.us#/access-packages/active

EPM Rufus Exception Request
EPM DT Functions
DLP - Encrypted Removable (USB) Long Term Access

Software:

Ubuntu Server 24.04 ISO

Rufus (latest)

playbook folder containing pxe_server_setup.yml and supporting files

GE Aerospace Media Creator LITE (for caching WinPE images)

Two USB thumb drives (one ≥ 8 GB for Ubuntu install; one ≥ 32 GB for WinPE media)

Step-by-Step Procedure
Create the Ubuntu Server installer USB
1.1 Download Ubuntu Server 24.04 from https://ubuntu.com/download/server.
1.2 Download and run Rufus (https://rufus.ie/en/).
1.3 Insert an empty USB, select it in Rufus.
1.4 Click Select, browse to the Ubuntu ISO, then click Start.
1.5 When Rufus finishes, copy your playbook folder to the root of that same USB, then eject it safely.

Install Ubuntu on the PXE server
2.1 Insert the USB into the target machine and power on.
2.2 Press F12 (or the vendor’s one-time boot key) and choose the USB device.
2.3 Follow Ubuntu’s installer; 
Network configuration screen.
Select the fist option select give it random network and IPv4 address
Then select WiFi and choose the guest network.
Follow the prompts and enter the information for your network.
Click done.
 
You do not need a proxy hit done.
For mirror address add nothing and hit done. The download should start.
 
After that select next
You'll be in file system summary: Hit done, box will pop up "confirm destructive action" select "continue"
 
Configure your profile. Done
Skip the upgrade to ubuntu pro
No ssh
Don't select featured server snaps just select done
 
Ubuntu will install…..then reboot your system
2.4 Create a user (e.g., pxe) with a simple, temporary password (change later).

Prepare the OS
3.1 Log in as the user you created.

3.2 Update the system:

bash
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sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

3.3 Install Ansible:

bash
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sudo apt install ansible -y
Mount the installer USB and run the playbook

4.1 Identify the USB device:

bash
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lsblk
Note the device (e.g., /dev/sda1).

4.2 Mount it and run the playbook:

bash
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sudo mkdir -p /mnt/usb
sudo mount /dev/sda1 /mnt/usb
cd /mnt/usb/playbook
ansible-playbook pxe_server_setup.yml


4.3 When Ansible finishes, umount the USB:

bash
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cd ~
sudo umount /mnt/usb

Cache Windows PE images
5.1 On a separate workstation, use GE Aerospace Media Creator LITE to cache all desired images (or start with one).
5.2 Create a WinPE USB using the same tool and eject it safely.

Import WinPE content to the PXE share
6.1 Insert the WinPE USB into the PXE server.
6.2 Find the new device (e.g., /dev/sdb2) with lsblk.
6.3 Mount it and copy files:

bash
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sudo mkdir -p /mnt/usb2
sudo mount /dev/sdb2 /mnt/usb2
sudo cp -r /mnt/usb2/. /srv/samba/winpeapps/standard
sudo umount /mnt/usb2
Finalise and isolate

7.1 Reboot the server:

bash
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sudo reboot

7.2 After it comes back up, move the primary NIC from the Internet-enabled network to the isolated switch that will serve PXE clients.

6. Verification
Connect a test workstation to the isolated switch.

In BIOS/UEFI, set Network Boot (PXE) as first boot, then boot.

Confirm the client pulls an IP from the PXE server and sees the WinPE menu.

Launch a WinPE image to ensure TFTP, HTTP (NBD), and SMB shares respond correctly.