TechMentor Fall, 2011 - Using Task Sequences to Completely Automate Windows 7 Deployment

Windows 7 Deployment Deep DiveWindows 7 Deployment Deep Dive

Using Task Sequences to Using Task Sequences to Completely Automate W7 Completely Automate W7 DeploymentDeployment

Greg Shields, MVP, vExpertGreg Shields, MVP, vExpertConcentrated Technologywww.ConcentratedTech.com


Automatically Deploying W7 Automatically Deploying W7 without the Alphabet Soupwithout the Alphabet Soup


Windows Deployment’sWindows Deployment’sBiggest ProblemBiggest Problem


The Internet.


The Internet.– Each tool evolved through many different

versions.

– Older versions had numerous shortcomings.

– Resolving those required some oddball hackery.

– Bloggers report hacks that are no longer timely.

– You’ll find solutions to problems that no longer exist.

– Confusion abounds!


The Internet.– Each tool evolved through many different versions.

– Older versions had numerous shortcomings.

– Resolving those required some oddball hackery.

– Bloggers report hacks that are no longer timely.

– You’ll find solutions to problems that no longer exist.

– Confusion abounds!

The Solution.– Don’t trust what you read.

– You don’t need the command lineas much as you used to.

Greg’s Easy 11 StepsGreg’s Easy 11 Stepsto Deployment Automation!to Deployment Automation!

1. Installing Windows Deployment Server

2. Configuring Image Deployment

3. Deploying your First Image

4. Dealing with Drivers

5. Automating WinPE Boot Image

6. Automating the “Set Up Windows” Phase

7. Creating a Thick Image w. Applications

8. Installing Microsoft Deployment Toolkit

9. Silent Installations & Repackaging

10. Layering Applications atop Windows

11. Preserving User Data

How Far We’ve Come…How Far We’ve Come…

1. Installing Windows Deployment Server

2. Configuring Image Deployment

3. Deploying your First Image

4. Dealing with Drivers

5. Automating WinPE Boot Image

6. Automating the “Set Up Windows” Phase

7. Creating a Thick Image w. Applications

8. Installing Microsoft Deployment Toolkit

9. Silent Installations & Repackaging

10. Layering Applications atop Windows

11. Preserving User Data

Yeste

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Stepping Back: Layering the OSStepping Back: Layering the OS

A Case for the Layered Approach to Deploying Windows Desktopshttp://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/magazine/ee835710.aspx

Microsoft Assessment& Planning Toolkit

Windows Automated Installation Toolkit & Windows Deployment Services

Windows Update Services

Group Policy Software Installation

Group Policy& Group Policy Preferences

Windows Profiles& User State Migration Toolkit

Core Operating System

Drivers

OS Updates

Applications

Configuration Changes

Planning & Analysis

Personality

Step 8: Microsoft Deployment Step 8: Microsoft Deployment ToolkitToolkit

What you don’t get with WDS alone is the workflow that surrounds an OS installation.


What you don’t get with WDS alone is the workflow that surrounds an OS installation.

During installation you might…– “…want to inject an application!”

– “…want to preload some files or drivers!”

– “…want to configure some settings!”

– “…want to preserve user personality data!”

MDT does this via Task Sequences.


First job: Import WDS stuff into MDT.– Create Deployment Share

– Import Operating System | Custom Image File

– Copy setup files from DVD media (important!)

– Upload Drivers

– Create a Standard Client Task Sequence

– Enable Multicast for Deployment Share

– Update Deployment Share

– Disable WDS boot images

– Add MDT boot images

LAB: READYING MDTLAB: READYING MDT“READY, GO”“READY, GO”


Second job: Deploy an Image!


Second job: Deploy an Image!

IN CASE YOU’RE ASKING:MDT uses Windows Deployment

Services to actually deploy its images.

That’s why we started there first!

LAB: DEPLOYING AN IMAGE, LAB: DEPLOYING AN IMAGE, OR, AT LEAST PRETENDING.OR, AT LEAST PRETENDING.

Step 9: Silent Installs & Step 9: Silent Installs & RepackagingRepackaging

Repackaging is an ART!– Coming up is my session on repackaging.

– There, you learn art. Here you learn science!

Layering, ReduxLayering, Redux

A Case for the Layered Approach to Deploying Windows Desktopshttp://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/magazine/ee835710.aspx








Drivers

OS Updates

Applications


Planning & Analysis

Personality

Step 10: Layering Apps atop Step 10: Layering Apps atop WindowsWindows

THIN is IN!


THIN is IN!– Once packaged and added to MDT,

applications can be selected during the installation.

LAB: ADDING AN APPLAB: ADDING AN APPTO MDTTO MDT

…that I have

conveniently packaged

for you…


THIN is IN!– Alternatively,

app installscan be addedto a TaskSequence.

– Adding thereeliminates thequestionsduring install.

LAB: ADDING AN APP TO LAB: ADDING AN APP TO A TASK SEQUENCEA TASK SEQUENCE

…that I have

conveniently packaged

for you…

Step 11: Preserving PersonalityStep 11: Preserving Personality

Remember, we’re layering here!– Alright! Dead horse, beaten.








Drivers

OS Updates

Applications


Planning & Analysis

Personality


MDT’s User State Migration Toolkit handles capturing and replacing user data.– Built directly into MDT. Updatable.

– Is easiest available when a deployment is started within the old operating system.

– Launch this to begin:\\{server}\deploymentshare$\scripts\LiteTouch.vbs

Enables seamless XP-to-W7 upgrades,OS refreshes, and hardware swaps!

LAB: PRESERVING USER LAB: PRESERVING USER DATA DURING W7 DATA DURING W7 UPGRADEUPGRADE


One can customize what USMT gathers.– Doing so is outside the scope of this session.


One can customize what USMT gathers.– Doing so is outside the scope of this session.

Four Files:– MigApp.xml

– MigUser.xml

– MigDocs.xml

– Custom.xml

More info at:http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd560778(WS.10).aspxhttp://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd560762(WS.10).aspxhttp://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd560801(WS.10).aspx

…and in my upcoming session…

Application Settings

User Folders, Files, File Types

System-wide Files

Your Custom Settings


Using Task Sequences to Using Task Sequences to Completely Automate W7 Completely Automate W7 DeploymentDeployment


TechMentor Fall, 2011 - Using Task Sequences to Completely Automate Windows 7 Deployment

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