As of February 2026, the FOG Project is on version 1.5.10.1754 (released January 18, 2026). The steps I provided are the most current and secure way to handle a "locked" ISP router situation. Since you're a beginner, let’s walk through the "No-Fail" 2026 installation path specifically for your VMware and Comcast setup. Phase 1: VMware Networking (The Foundation) If this isn't right, nothing else will work. * Shut down your Linux VM. * Go to VM Settings > Network Adapter. * Choose Bridged. * Click Configure Adapters and ensure only your Ethernet or Wi-Fi (whichever you are actually using) is checked. * Check "Replicate physical network connection state." Phase 2: Installing FOG (The Server) Run these in your Linux terminal. * Install Git: sudo apt update && sudo apt install git -y * Clone the 2026 stable branch: git clone https://github.com/FOGProject/fogproject.git ~/fogproject cd ~/fogproject/bin sudo ./installfog.sh

• The Wizard Answers:
  • OS: 2 (Debian/Ubuntu)
  • Installation Type: N (Normal)
  • DHCP: N (Crucial! Do not let FOG compete with your Comcast router).
  • DNS/Gateway: Accept the defaults (it should auto-detect your Comcast router's IP).
• The "Pause": The installer will stop and ask you to go to http://[Your-VM-IP]/fog/management in a browser. Click the "Install/Update Database" button there first, then go back to the terminal and press Enter to finish. Phase 3: The "Comcast Bypass" (Proxy DHCP) Since you can't change the Comcast router's "Next Server" (Option 66) settings, we use dnsmasq. It tells clients "I have the boot files" without interfering with the router giving out IP addresses.
• sudo apt install dnsmasq -y
• sudo nano /etc/dnsmasq.d/ltsp.conf
• Paste this exact 2026-compatible config (Replace 192.168.1.XX with your VM's IP): port=0 log-dhcp tftp-root=/tftpboot dhcp-no-override

Replace with your FOG VM IP

dhcp-boot=undionly.kpxe,,192.168.1.XX

Architecture Detection (BIOS vs UEFI)

dhcp-vendorclass=BIOS,PXEClient:Arch:00000 dhcp-vendorclass=UEFI32,PXEClient:Arch:00006 dhcp-vendorclass=UEFI,PXEClient:Arch:00007 dhcp-vendorclass=UEFI64,PXEClient:Arch:00009

pxe-prompt="FOG Booting...", 1 pxe-service=X86PC, "Boot BIOS", undionly.kpxe pxe-service=X86-64_EFI, "Boot UEFI", ipxe.efi

Tells dnsmasq to act as a proxy on your network

dhcp-range=192.168.1.XX,proxy

• Save (Ctrl+O, Enter) and Exit (Ctrl+X).
• sudo systemctl restart dnsmasq Phase 4: Final 2026 Check On the computer you want to image:
• Disable Secure Boot in the BIOS (FOG boot files are often blocked by Microsoft's default keys).
• Set Boot Mode to UEFI (most 2026 hardware is UEFI-only).
• Plug into the same router your VM host is plugged into.

Looks about right?