Problem with SCCM PXE after servers are patched - WDS and PXE responder overview and post checks made easy

SCCM PXE servers patching post checks

Checking if SCCM PXE servers are online after updates is like making sure your car starts after a mechanic has done some work on it. Sometimes, the changes they make can accidentally stop your car from working. Similarly, updates to servers can sometimes break them, making them stop working properly. Checking if the servers are online is like making sure your car starts without any issues after the mechanic is done, so you can avoid any problems in your work processes.

The PXE responder service:

The PXE responder service oversees requests originating from client computers equipped with Preboot Execution Environment (PXE) support. PXE comprises a series of standards enabling a computer to retrieve and load an operating system (OS) via a network connection. It serves as a swift method for OS installations on both server and client machines.

Windows Deployment Services (WDS):

Windows Deployment Services (WDS) functions as a server role within Windows Server, granting administrators the capability to deploy Windows operating systems remotely via network connections. WDS is versatile and supports the installation of Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, and subsequent versions of the Windows OS. This system simplifies the process of provisioning new computers, eliminating the need for administrators to manually install each operating system individually.

PXE v/s WDS:

The RemoteInstall folder, which the WDS establishes, is designated for storing all the necessary files for SCCM OSD. Occasionally, these folders might become corrupted, or some files may vanish. By utilizing PXE responder in the absence of WDS, you can eliminate the need for the RemoteInstall folder entirely and depend solely on the SCCMPXE.exe service, which handles PXE requests.

Run the following in PowerShell ISE in your site server.

Write-Host "******************************************************************************"
Write-Host "ONLINE/OFFLINE STATUS OF THE SERVERS" -ForegroundColor red -BackgroundColor yellow
Write-Host "******************************************************************************"
$servers = "servername_1","servername_2","servername_3","servername_4"

foreach ($server in $servers)
	{    
	if (Test-Connection -ComputerName $server -Count 1 -Quiet)
		{        
			Write-Host "$server is online"     
		} 

	else    
		{        
			Write-Host "$server is offline" #MadeByKoul    
		}

}
Write-Host "******************************************************************************" 
Write-Host "WDS SERVICE STATUS OF THE SERVERS" -ForegroundColor red -BackgroundColor yellow
Write-Host "******************************************************************************"
foreach ($server in $servers)
	{    
	$service = Get-Service -ComputerName $server -Name "WDSServer" -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue 
	if ($service.Status -eq "Running") 
		 {        
		Write-Host "The WDSServer service is running on $server."    
		 }    
	else {        
		Write-Host "The WDSServer service is not running on $server."    
	     }

 
     }
Write-Host "******************************************************************************"
Write-Host "PXE RESPONDER STATUS OF THE SERVERS" -ForegroundColor red -BackgroundColor yellow
Write-Host "******************************************************************************"
foreach ($server in $servers)
	{    
	$service = Get-Service -ComputerName $server -Name "SccmPxe" -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue     
	if ($service.Status -eq "Running") 
		 {        
		Write-Host "The PXE RESPONDER service is running on $server."    
		 }    
	else {        
		Write-Host "The PXE RESPONDER service is not running on $server."    
	     }

 
     }
Write-Host "******************************************************************************"
Write-Host "THE END. Visit www.koulinc.xyz for more" -ForegroundColor Red -BackgroundColor yellow
Write-Host "******************************************************************************"
Write-Host "NOTE: Either one of the above two services should have the status as ''Running'' on the above servers. If not kindly check the status of the server manually." -ForegroundColor red -BackgroundColor yellow
Write-Host "******************************************************************************"

GitHub Link for the script: https://github.com/skoul27/postcheckservers/blob/main/postchecks.ps1 

Result/Output: