AnywhereTS

Step-by-Step Guide: Deploying AnywhereTS in Your Office AnywhereTS is a lightweight, open-source thin client management solution designed to repurpose old office PCs or manage dedicated thin client hardware. By booting devices over a local network via PXE (Preboot Execution Environment), AnywhereTS eliminates the need for local hard drives and delivers a seamless connection directly to a Microsoft Terminal Server or Remote Desktop Services (RDS) environment.

Deploying AnywhereTS streamlines IT management, drastically cuts hardware costs, and provides an instantly uniform user experience across the office floor. This guide covers everything required to successfully roll it out. 💻 Prerequisites & System Requirements

Before starting the installation, ensure the following core infrastructure components are ready and configured:

[ AnywhereTS Server ] ──( DHCP/PXE )──> [ Local Network Switch ] ──> [ Office Thin Clients ] │ ( Remote Desktop ) ▼ [ Terminal Server / RDS ]

A Dedicated Server or VM: Running Windows Server (2016 or newer) to host the AnywhereTS management console.

A Microsoft Terminal Server: An active RDS or Terminal Services environment where user sessions will actually execute.

DHCP Server Access: The ability to configure DHCP Option 066 (Boot Server Host Name) and Option 067 (Bootfile Name) on the local network router or Windows DHCP server.

Target Workstations: Office PCs or thin client hardware capable of network booting (PXE enabled in the BIOS/UEFI).

🛠️ Step 1: Install the AnywhereTS Administrator Console

The administrator console acts as the central control tower where you build boot images and manage hardware profiles.

Download the latest stable AnywhereTS installer package on your designated management server.

Launch the installation wizard (AnywhereTS_Setup.exe) with local administrative privileges.

Accept the software license agreement and select the default installation directory.

Complete the wizard to install both the Management Studio and the built-in TFTP (Trivial File Transfer Protocol) daemon. 🌐 Step 2: Configure DHCP for PXE Network Booting

For office workstations to boot without a local hard drive, they must be pointed to the AnywhereTS server during their initial startup sequence. Open the office network DHCP Management Console.

Navigate to Scope Options and configure the following parameters:

Option 066 (Boot Server): Enter the static IP address of the AnywhereTS server.

Option 067 (Bootfile Name): Enter pxelinux.0 (or the specific bootloader file specified in your AnywhereTS installation directory).

Save and apply the changes to ensure the network lease actively broadcasts these boot parameters. 🖼️ Step 3: Build the Custom Thin Client Boot Image

The AnywhereTS Wizard compiles a specialized, minimal Linux kernel containing the Microsoft Remote Desktop Client. Open the AnywhereTS Management Studio.

Select Create New Configuration to launch the deployment image wizard.

Specify the Terminal Server details: Input the primary IP address or Fully Qualified Domain Name (FQDN) of your RDS/Terminal Server pool.

Select peripherals: Enable necessary device redirections, including local office printers, USB storage devices, and sound cards.

Set display preferences: Define standard monitor resolutions or choose “Auto-Detect” to support mixed monitor setups across different office desks.

Click Generate to compile the final boot files directly into the server’s TFTP root folder. 🔌 Step 4: Configure Office Workstations and Launch

With the server-side configuration finalized, it is time to connect the physical hardware devices.

Connect the target office PC to the local area network using an Ethernet cable (PXE booting is not supported over standard Wi-Fi).

Power on the PC and press the required key (F2, F12, or Del) to enter the BIOS/UEFI Setup.

Navigate to the Boot Priority menu and position Network Boot / PXE as the primary first-boot device.

Enable Legacy Boot support if the older version of the network bootloader fails to initialize under strict UEFI mode. Save changes and reboot the workstation.

The PC will now automatically bypass any local operating system, fetch an IP address from the DHCP server, download the custom AnywhereTS image via TFTP, and present the user with a standard Windows Terminal Server login screen within seconds. 🩺 Troubleshooting Common Deployment Issues Probable Cause Corrective Action “PXE-E32: TFTP open timeout” The server firewall is blocking inbound traffic. Open UDP Ports 67, 68, and 69 in Windows Firewall. “No DHCP or ProxyDHCP offers received” DHCP Options are misconfigured or missing. Re-verify that Option 066 perfectly matches your server IP. Screen Resolution is distorted Display drivers are failing to auto-negotiate.

Edit the client profile in AnywhereTS and explicitly lock it to 1920×1080. If you need to optimize this setup, let me know:

The total number of office workstations you plan to convert.

Whether your server environment uses Windows Server DHCP or a third-party router.

If your office environment uses multi-monitor setups or specific USB peripherals.

I can provide specialized configuration scripts or custom configuration settings tailored exactly to your environment.