Prerequisites
Build machine
You build the ISO once on a Windows machine with the ADK, then boot it on each node.
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| OS | Windows 11 or Windows Server 2022/2025 |
| Windows ADK | winget install Microsoft.WindowsADK (tested line: 10.1.26100.x) |
| WinPE Add-on | winget install Microsoft.ADKPEAddon (same version as the ADK) |
| PowerShell | 7.4+ for the build script |
| Elevation | Administrator (DISM requires it) |
| Internet | To download PowerShell 7; not needed with -PS7ZipPath and -PS7ZipSha256 |
| Disk space | About 15 GB free for workspace, ISO and ADK files |
The vendored Microsoft Environment Checker module (tools/modules, about 135 MB) is part of the repository; the build does not download it. Verify it with scripts/Update-BeaconModules.ps1.
NIC drivers
NIC drivers for Dell AX 16G nodes are bundled under drivers/dell-ax/ (Dell Solution Builder Extension 5.0.2603.1641) and injected by default. drivers/driver-manifest.json lists every file with its SHA256 and the INF versions. For other hardware see Dell AX NIC drivers.
| Driver | File | Version |
|---|---|---|
| Broadcom NetXtreme-E bnxt | bnxtnd.inf | 236.1.152.0 |
| Broadcom NetXtreme 5720 | b57nd60a.inf | 221.0.8.0 |
| Intel E810 | icea.inf | 1.17.73.0 |
| Intel E823 | scea.inf | 1.16.58.0 |
| Mellanox ConnectX mlx5 | mlx5.inf | 24.4.26429.0 |
Network requirements
The management VLAN where Beacon boots needs outbound HTTPS (443) to the Azure endpoints of your region (see Endpoint list), DNS (UDP/TCP 53), and NTP (UDP 123) to your time source. HTTPS inspection must be off for these names (Learn: unsupported).
TIP
No pre-configuration required. Domain, DC addresses, DNS, gateway, region, proxy and Arc inputs are collected by the menu at boot.