1 offline imaging, 2 online imaging, Offline imaging – Acronis Snap Deploy 4 - User Guide User Manual

Page 24: Online imaging

2.5.1 Offline imaging

Offline imaging means that the master system is stopped and the master machine boots into the

Acronis environment or into Windows Preinstallation Environment (WinPE).

To perform offline imaging

1. Configure the master system.
2. Install Acronis Snap Deploy 4 Management Console.
3. Do one of the following:



Create a bootable media (either an Acronis media or a WinPE-based media) with Acronis

Snap Deploy 4 Master Image Creator.



Install Acronis PXE Server, connect the console to the PXE server and upload Acronis Snap

Deploy 4 Master Image Creator.

4. Depending on your choice in the previous step, boot the machine into Acronis Snap Deploy 4

Master Image Creator from the bootable media or from the PXE server.

5. On the master machine, follow the instructions of the Master Image Creator wizard to configure

and launch the imaging operation. The image can be saved in a network folder, on detachable

media (such as a USB drive), or removable media (such as a DVD). To access the network from

the bootable environment, you must have a DHCP server or configure the network settings of the

master machine manually.

Offline imaging

2.5.2 Online imaging

Online imaging means that the master system is imaged live (without restarting the machine or

suspending operations). Online imaging can be performed remotely whenever you need. The

disadvantage is that you have to install imaging software that is included in the master image. This is

not always rational.