Configuring NUCs during SCCM imaging (setting "power on" after power failure)

[RStas]

I'm looking for info on how to set some bios settings during SCCM imaging. Specifically setting the NUC to power on after a power failure. It appears vcust should be able to do this, but looking at the documentation, it talks about having a .bio file to apply to the NUC. How do I generate the .bio file, and can I even set that setting with vcust? Or can I just set via the "-config-uqi=blah"?

[RStas]

Nevermind. Vcust looks like it only sets some basic chassis info, or windows keys. =/

Anyway to do what I'm after?

[AndrewG_Intel]

Hello RStas,

Thank you for posting on the Intel® communities.

We understand that you are trying to set pre-defined settings on the Intel® NUC, for instance, power failure options.

Please allow us to take a look into this and also we will try to replicate/test on our lab regarding the outcome of customized power failure settings. As soon as we have more details, we will be posting back on this thread.

Andrew G.

Intel Customer Support Technician

A Contingent Worker at Intel

[RStas]

Hi @AndrewG_Intel​ ,

That's mostly correct. I'm trying to configure bios settings during imaging automatically. Like dell's cctk tool. For example, our campus uses NUCs for digital signage. It would be nice, during imaging, to be able to set "Turn On" for what to do after a power loss during imagine rather than having to do it by hand after the fact. Things like that.

Thanks!

[AndrewG_Intel]

Hello RStas,

Thank you for your response and the details provided.

We are still working on the lab in order to test the behavior. Once we have details of the outcome, we will be posting back in this thread.

Regards,

Andrew G.

Intel Customer Support Technician

A Contingent Worker at Intel

[AndrewG_Intel]

Hello RStas,

Thank you for your patience in this matter.

Regarding your inquiry, you can use Intel® Integrator Toolkit to create a custom BIO file with current (modified) BIOS settings. The Intel® Integrator Toolkit is a UEFI command-line utility that is designed for integrators who are customizing the BIOS of Intel® NUCs.

We performed a test on our lab using an Intel® NUC Kit NUC7i7DNHE and we were able to create a custom BIO file setting the option for "After Power Failure" to "Power On".

This is possible running the following command once the UEFI Shell has been enabled:

• ITK6.efi -b -x MyBIO.bio -ib DNi70066.bio -ic

Where "MyBIO.bio" is the name given to the new custom BIO File, and "DNi70066.bio" refers to the BIO file downloaded from https://downloadcenter.intel.com/ depending on NUC model.

For more details please refer to the Intel Integrator Utility User Guide. section 2.3.1.4 Importing the Current Custom Settings Configuration.

Please find the utility in this link: Intel® Integrator Toolkit

Note: Not all custom settings can be altered by the custom BIOS update file. For example, the password settings and boot order will not be updated. It is always best practice to verify that the settings are being updated correctly on a test unit before mass integration. Also, a BIOS update file with BIOS custom settings can only be used to update the same product.

Hope this helps.

Andrew G.

Intel Customer Support Technician

A Contingent Worker at Intel

[RStas]

Hi Andrew,

Thanks for this. Sadly, it doesn't overly help if I have to manually enable UEFI shell. =/ The Dell utility that I linked to allows direct manipulation of configuration information from Windows. Maybe that means a separate tool from Intel, but right now, it still means we can't baremetal image these devices with SCCM and have them configured as desired without going into the UEFI (going in to enable UEFI shell is just as labor intensive as enabling the power setting).

Thanks!

[AndrewG_Intel]

Hello RStas,

Thank you for your response.

UEFI shell should only be enabled one time to create the custom .bio file, then this .bio file can be used to flash the BIOS for all Intel® NUCs of the same model, and set them with the custom settings. However, it is correct that it will require to flash the BIOS for every unit, one by one. Unfortunately, after checking internally, it seems that there is no separate tool for the deployment process you are trying to achieve. The only tools available at the moment are Intel® Integrator Toolkit and Intel® VCUST Tool.

Having said that, I have documented your feedback and sent it to the proper department for consideration of future releases and deployment options.

We appreciate your input.

Regards,

Andrew G.

Intel Customer Support Technician

A Contingent Worker at Intel

[RStas]

Ahhh... okay. That seemed unclear from the documentation.

Thanks! Will give that a look once I have my test unit.

Thanks!

[AndrewG_Intel]

Hello RStas,

We would appreciate your feedback regarding the outcome once you receive the test unit. We will be looking forward to your updates.

Regards,

Andrew G.

Intel Customer Support Technician

A Contingent Worker at Intel

[AndrewG_Intel]

Hello RStas,

I was checking the thread and I would like to know if you have received the test unit. If so, were you able to test it and check the outcome? If you have not received the unit yet, do you handle an estimated time of arrival for it?

Regards,

Andrew G.

Intel Customer Support Technician

A Contingent Worker at Intel

[AndrewG_Intel]

Hello RStas,

We have not heard back from you, so we will close this inquiry. If you need further assistance, please post a new question.

Regards,

Andrew G.

Intel Customer Support Technician

A Contingent Worker at Intel

[RStas]

Sorry, that's fine. I haven't had a chance to look into your answer. We have a test machine, I just haven't gotten in and enabled efi shell, etc.

I'll let you know if it does/doesn't work. =)