windows-iac-vm-tooling/docs/02-prerequisites/isos.md

# 💿 ISO Requirements

[![ISO](https://img.shields.io/badge/ISO-Windows%2011%20LTSC-0078D6?style=flat&logo=windows)](https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-11-enterprise)

## Storage Location

All ISO files must be placed on the Proxmox development server at:

```bash
/mnt/pve-07-iso-nvme/template/iso/
```

### Verify Storage Path

```bash
# SSH to Proxmox host and verify
ssh root@la-vmh-07
ls -la /mnt/pve-07-iso-nvme/template/iso/
```

---

## Required Files

### ✅ Mandatory

| File | Description | Size | Notes |
|------|-------------|------|-------|
| `CLIENT_LTSC_EVAL_x64FRE_en-us.iso` | Windows 11 LTSC 2024 Evaluation | ~5.5 GB | Primary OS image |
| `virtio-win.iso` | VirtIO Drivers | ~500 MB | Required for I/O performance |

### 📁 Optional

| File | Description | Use Case |
|------|-------------|----------|
| `SERVER_EVAL_x64FRE_en-us.iso` | Windows Server 2022 Evaluation | Server deployments |
| `26100.1742.240906-0331.ge_release_svc_refresh_CLIENT_LTSC_EVAL_x64FRE_en-us.iso` | Windows 11 LTSC Update | Latest build |

---

## ISO Manifest

```bash
# Current directory contents
/mnt/pve-07-iso-nvme/template/iso/
├── CLIENT_LTSC_EVAL_x64FRE_en-us.iso           ✅ Required
├── SERVER_EVAL_x64FRE_en-us.iso                📁 Optional
├── debian-live-13.2.0-amd64-gnome.iso          📁 Linux (not used)
├── virtio-win.iso                              ✅ Required
└── 26100.1742.240906-0331...iso                📁 Optional (alternate)
```

---

## Download Sources

### Windows 11 Enterprise

| Property | Value |
|----------|-------|
| **Product** | Windows 11 Enterprise LTSC 2024 |
| **Edition** | Enterprise (Evaluation) |
| **Architecture** | 64-bit (x64) |
| **Language** | English (US) |
| **Download URL** | [Microsoft Eval Center](https://info.microsoft.com/ww-landing-windows-11-enterprise.html) |

### Windows Server 2022

| Property | Value |
|----------|-------|
| **Product** | Windows Server 2022 |
| **Edition** | Standard/Evaluation |
| **Architecture** | 64-bit (x64) |
| **Download URL** | [Microsoft Server Landing](https://info.microsoft.com/ww-landing-windows-server-2022.html) |

### VirtIO Drivers

| Property | Value |
|----------|-------|
| **Product** | VirtIO Drivers for Windows |
| **Source** | Fedora/VirtIO-Win Project |
| **Download URL** | [GitHub Releases](https://github.com/virtio-win/virtio-win-pkg-scripts/releases) |

---

## Download Steps

### 1. Download Windows 11 LTSC

```bash
# Visit Microsoft Eval Center
# Select: Windows 11 Enterprise LTSC 2024
# Architecture: 64-bit
# Language: English (US)
# Download ISO
```

### 2. Download VirtIO Drivers

```bash
# Download latest stable ISO
wget https://github.com/virtio-win/virtio-win-pkg-scripts/releases/download/v1.1.5/virtio-win-0.1.240-1.iso
mv virtio-win-0.1.240-1.iso virtio-win.iso
```

### 3. Upload to Proxmox

```bash
# Upload ISO to Proxmox storage
# Method 1: Via Proxmox GUI
# Datacenter -> Storage -> ISO -> Upload

# Method 2: Via command line
scp CLIENT_LTSC_EVAL_x64FRE_en-us.iso root@la-vmh-07:/mnt/pve-07-iso-nvme/template/iso/
scp virtio-win.iso root@la-vmh-07:/mnt/pve-07-iso-nvme/template/iso/
```

---

## Configuration in Packer

Reference these ISOs in your Packer configuration:

```hcl
# packer/windows.pkr.hcl

source "proxmox-iso" "windows-11" {
  # Primary OS ISO
  iso_file = "local:iso/CLIENT_LTSC_EVAL_x64FRE_en-us.iso"
  
  # VirtIO Drivers as secondary CD
  additional_iso_files {
    device   = "sata1"
    iso_file = "local:iso/virtio-win.iso"
  }
}
```

---

## ISO Verification

### Check File Integrity

```bash
# On Proxmox host
ls -lh /mnt/pve-07-iso-nvme/template/iso/

# Expected output:
# -rw-r--r-- 1 root root 5.5G Feb  6 10:50 CLIENT_LTSC_EVAL_x64FRE_en-us.iso
# -rw-r--r-- 1 root root 500M Feb  6 10:50 virtio-win.iso
```

### Verify in Proxmox GUI

1. Navigate to **Datacenter** → **Storage** → **ISO**
2. Confirm files are listed and **Content** shows correct ISOs
3. Verify **Available** status is ✅

---

## Troubleshooting

| Issue | Cause | Solution |
|-------|-------|----------|
| ISO not found | Wrong storage path | Verify `/mnt/pve-07-iso-nvme/template/iso/` |
| Mount failed | ISO corrupted | Re-download and verify checksum |
| VirtIO not loading | Wrong driver location | Check `additional_iso_files` path |

---

## Next Steps

| Goal | Next Document |
|------|---------------|
| Configure secrets | [Secret Management](../02-prerequisites/secrets.md) |
| Build template | [Packer Configuration](../03-packer/configuration.md) |
| View architecture | [Architecture Overview](../01-overview/architecture.md) |

---

[← Documentation Index](../index.md) | [→ Secret Management](../02-prerequisites/secrets.md) | [← Architecture](../01-overview/architecture.md)