Editing Disk image (section)

==== Network-based image deployment ====
Image restoration can be done using network-based image deployment. This method uses a [[Preboot Execution Environment|PXE]] server to boot an operating system over a computer network that contains the necessary components to image or restore storage media in a computer.<ref name=":8">{{Cite journal |last1=Shiau |first1=Steven J. H. |last2=Sun |first2=Chen-Kai |last3=Tsai |first3=Yu-Chin |last4=Juang |first4=Jer-Nan |last5=Huang |first5=Chi-Yo |date=2018 |title=The Design and Implementation of a Novel Open Source Massive Deployment System |journal=Applied Sciences |language=en |volume=8 |issue=6 |pages=965 |doi=10.3390/app8060965 |issn=2076-3417 |doi-access=free}}</ref> This is usually used in conjunction with a [[Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol|DHCP]] server to automate the configuration of network parameters including IP addresses. [[Multicast]]ing, [[Broadcasting (networking)|broadcasting]] or [[unicast]]ing tend to be used to restore an image to many computers simultaneously.<ref name=":8" /><ref name=":9" /> These approaches do not work well if one or more computers experience packet loss.<ref name=":9" /> As a result, some imaging solutions use the [[BitTorrent]] protocol to overcome this problem.

Network-based image deployment reduces the need to maintain and update individual systems manually. Imaging is also easier than automated setup methods because an administrator does not need to have knowledge of the prior configuration to copy it.<ref name=":9" />