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Deployment Tools
mrmcmint
Member Posts: 492 ■■■□□□□□□□
Hi Guys.
Below are my very basic notes on deployment tools available. I'm hoping I am on the right lines, obviously not knowing how much detail the exam is going to go into on deployment. I have a little experience with some of this, as we have built up a WDS server for use in our org that use the litetouch deployment process.
Any additions/criticisms/corrections welcome!
MAP - Microsoft Assessment and Planning Toolkit
Used For – Inventory assessment and reporting tool, run in small to large organisations, no agent software needed on target computers. Can be used to scan and assess computer readiness for Windows 7. Creates MsWord/Excel reports.
ACT – Application Compatibility Tookit
Used For – Inventory assessment for application compatibility with Windows 7. Provides inventory, a number of tools that will address program compatibility and API’s.
MDT - Microsoft Deployment Toolkit
Used For – A solution assistant that will help with the planning of lite touch/zero touch deployments. Also includes Microsoft deployment workbench which is the primary tool to create/manage the deployment process. Creates Deployment share and uses task sequences.
SCCM – System Center Configuration Manager
Used For – deploying new operating systems, software applications, software updates and monitoring software usage, software/hardware inventories and remotely administering computers.
MDOP – Microsoft Desktop Optimisation Pack Asset Inventory Service
Used For – Lists applications installed on client computers (web based) Includes tools such as Microsoft Application virtualisation, diagnostic and recovery toolset, asset inventory service (deploys a preconfigured client to target systems), Advanced group policy management desktop error monitoring.
WAIK – Windows Automated Installation Kit
Used For – Deploying Windows, includes a selection of tools to assist in customised environments.
USMT – User State Migration Tool
Used For – streamlining user migration data. Captures user accounts/data, OS settings etc and transfers them to new OS. Scanstate/loadstate etc.
SIM - Windows System Image Manager (Part of WAIK)
Used For – Primarily for creating an answer file for customising and automating the OS deployment. Includes XML answer files, adding of service packs/language packs, updates and device drivers - all used by answer file. This can be scripted.
ImageX
Used For – creating/mounting system images, and can create HAL independence.
DISM – Deployment Image Servicing and Management
Used For – Command line tool to apply drivers, language packs and updates to a wim image – only available in Server 2008 and Windows 7.
WinPE – Windows Pre-Installation Environment
Used For – Installing OS, troubleshooting and recovery. Other tools can be built into this via customisation.
WDS – Windows Deployment Services
Used For – storing, managing and deploying client/server OS’s, uses PXE boot to give clients the ability to boot to the network so that tools such as DISM and imagex can be used to deploy OS.
VDI – Virtual Desktop Infrastructure
Used For – Virtualised desktop environment which is connected to by a thin client for example via a connection broker. Advantages to this include less frequent pc refreshes, don’t need expensive fat client computers, near zero downtime. Disadvantages are that 3rd party tools are required for printing (in some cases), no PDA/Scanner support, need enterprise class expensive servers.
Med-V – Microsoft Enterprise Desktop Virtualisation
Used For – Core component of MDOP, enables deployment and management of Microsoft Virtual PC Windows desktops to address key enterprise scenarios. Primarily, MED-V helps enterprises upgrade to the latest version of Windows even when some applications are not yet functional or supported. MED-V builds on top of virtual PC to run two operating systems on one device, adding virtual image delivery, policy-based provisioning, and centralized management. Read more on how MED-V adds management to Virtual PC.
App-V – Microsoft Application Virtualisation
Used For - Is part of the Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack and delivers desktop applications that are never installed, and are dynamically delivered on demand.
Below are my very basic notes on deployment tools available. I'm hoping I am on the right lines, obviously not knowing how much detail the exam is going to go into on deployment. I have a little experience with some of this, as we have built up a WDS server for use in our org that use the litetouch deployment process.
Any additions/criticisms/corrections welcome!
MAP - Microsoft Assessment and Planning Toolkit
Used For – Inventory assessment and reporting tool, run in small to large organisations, no agent software needed on target computers. Can be used to scan and assess computer readiness for Windows 7. Creates MsWord/Excel reports.
ACT – Application Compatibility Tookit
Used For – Inventory assessment for application compatibility with Windows 7. Provides inventory, a number of tools that will address program compatibility and API’s.
MDT - Microsoft Deployment Toolkit
Used For – A solution assistant that will help with the planning of lite touch/zero touch deployments. Also includes Microsoft deployment workbench which is the primary tool to create/manage the deployment process. Creates Deployment share and uses task sequences.
SCCM – System Center Configuration Manager
Used For – deploying new operating systems, software applications, software updates and monitoring software usage, software/hardware inventories and remotely administering computers.
MDOP – Microsoft Desktop Optimisation Pack Asset Inventory Service
Used For – Lists applications installed on client computers (web based) Includes tools such as Microsoft Application virtualisation, diagnostic and recovery toolset, asset inventory service (deploys a preconfigured client to target systems), Advanced group policy management desktop error monitoring.
WAIK – Windows Automated Installation Kit
Used For – Deploying Windows, includes a selection of tools to assist in customised environments.
USMT – User State Migration Tool
Used For – streamlining user migration data. Captures user accounts/data, OS settings etc and transfers them to new OS. Scanstate/loadstate etc.
SIM - Windows System Image Manager (Part of WAIK)
Used For – Primarily for creating an answer file for customising and automating the OS deployment. Includes XML answer files, adding of service packs/language packs, updates and device drivers - all used by answer file. This can be scripted.
ImageX
Used For – creating/mounting system images, and can create HAL independence.
DISM – Deployment Image Servicing and Management
Used For – Command line tool to apply drivers, language packs and updates to a wim image – only available in Server 2008 and Windows 7.
WinPE – Windows Pre-Installation Environment
Used For – Installing OS, troubleshooting and recovery. Other tools can be built into this via customisation.
WDS – Windows Deployment Services
Used For – storing, managing and deploying client/server OS’s, uses PXE boot to give clients the ability to boot to the network so that tools such as DISM and imagex can be used to deploy OS.
VDI – Virtual Desktop Infrastructure
Used For – Virtualised desktop environment which is connected to by a thin client for example via a connection broker. Advantages to this include less frequent pc refreshes, don’t need expensive fat client computers, near zero downtime. Disadvantages are that 3rd party tools are required for printing (in some cases), no PDA/Scanner support, need enterprise class expensive servers.
Med-V – Microsoft Enterprise Desktop Virtualisation
Used For – Core component of MDOP, enables deployment and management of Microsoft Virtual PC Windows desktops to address key enterprise scenarios. Primarily, MED-V helps enterprises upgrade to the latest version of Windows even when some applications are not yet functional or supported. MED-V builds on top of virtual PC to run two operating systems on one device, adding virtual image delivery, policy-based provisioning, and centralized management. Read more on how MED-V adds management to Virtual PC.
App-V – Microsoft Application Virtualisation
Used For - Is part of the Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack and delivers desktop applications that are never installed, and are dynamically delivered on demand.