Step 4-1: Add the Reference Computer to the Configuration Manager Site Database

To deploy an operating system without stand-alone media to a new computer that Configuration Manager does not currently manage, add the new computer to the Configuration Manager site database prior to initiating the operating system deployment process. Configuration Manager can automatically discover computers on the network that have a Windows operating system installed; however, if the computer has no operating system installed, use the Import Computer Information Wizard to import the new computer information.

To add the reference computer to the Configuration Manager site database

1. Click Start, point to All Programs, and then point to Microsoft System Center 2012. Point to Configuration Manager, and then click Configuration Manager Console.

2. In the Configuration Manager console, in the navigation pane, click Assets and Compliance.

3. In the Assets and Compliance workspace, go to Overview/Devices.

4. On the Ribbon, on the Home tab, in the Create group, click Import Computer Information.

The Import Computer Information Wizard starts.

5. Complete the Import Computer Information Wizard using the information in Table 24. Accept the default values unless otherwise specified.

Table 24. Information for Completing Import Computer Information Wizard

On this wizard page	Do this
Select Source	Click Import single computer, and then click Next.
Select Source: Single Computer	1. In Computer Name, type WDG-REF-01. 2. In MAC address, type mac_address (where mac_address is the media access control [MAC] address of the primary network adapter for the reference computer, WDG-REF-01). 3. Click Next.
Select Source: Data Preview	Click Next.
Select Source: Choose Target Collection	Click Next.
Summary	1. Review the information in the Details box that that you provided while completing the previous wizard pages. 2. Click Next.
Progress	The progress for importing the computer is displayed.
Confirmation	Click Close.

For more information on adding a new computer to the Configuration Manager site database, see the section, “To import computer information for a single computer,” in the section “How to Deploy Operating Systems in Configuration Manager,” in the Configuration Manager 2012 Documentation Library, which is installed with Configuration Manager.