Windows 8.1 Deployment June Webinar

Mark O’Shea | MVP Windows Expert – IT Professional

Windows 8.1 Deployment And Migration Tools

Creating a Windows 8.1 Reference Image Deploying Windows 8.1 with MDT Resources

• New Machine (Bare metal) • Refresh (Wipe-and-load)

• Replace (Side-by-side) • Offline Media

• ImageX

• Lite Touch

• Windows ADK

• Zero Touch

• WAIK

• UDI

• Windows PE

• USMT

• MDT

• WSIM

• Configuration Manager

• WDS

• DISM

• ACT

• Command Line Tools • Assessment Tools

• USMT • WinPE • VAMT 6.3

Exploring Windows 8.1 ADK Deployment and Migration tools

Option

Pros

Cons

Fix app source code

Preferred method Native application No performance penalty

Requires source code Requires knowledge of how to make the application work

Shim the app

Requires no changes to the app

Not all application compatibility issues can be fixed with shims Shims work primarily for issues like Windows version checking, user permission requirements, and DLL or registry redirection

Retire the app

Fewer apps in the inventory Might replace capabilities with other apps in consideration

End users might miss capabilities Might need a replacement to fill the gap

Replace or upgrade the app

Most recent version of app Newer technologies and scenarios New and improved capabilities

Upgrade might not be available Will likely incur additional costs End users might have a learning curve if changes are significant

Exploring the Application Compatibility Toolkit

• Infrastructure enabler for OS Deployment • PXE Support • MultiCast Support

Microsoft Deployment Toolkit Lite Touch • Fully automated deployment solution • Requires no Management Infrastructure • Client and Server support

Zero Touch with ConfigMgr 2012 R2 • Fully integrated experience • Client and Server support • Extends and enhances ConfigMgr 2012 R2

Windows ADK 8.1 - Core deployment tools

• Identify, build and test master images: • Create Automated Image Engineering task sequences • Minimize the number of images created

• Produce consistent master images as required

• Easy and Fast

• Compatible / Flexible • Delegation is easy

• More features – Suspend – CopyProfile

• Inconsistent and manual image creation processes cause issues • Lack of automation to provide consistent and repeatable process – Install the vanilla operating system (Windows 8.1) – Customize the OS and install core applications – Sysprep and capture the machine

MDT Server

Reference Client

MDT Initial Setup

Create New Deployment Share Add Operating System (for master image)

Create and stock the Deployment Share

Add Applications (for master image) Add Packages (for master image) Add Drivers (for Windows To Go if needed)

Task Sequence

Add Task Sequence to Build and Capture Master Image

Configure Master Image Settings

Configure Deployment Properties in CS.ini

Build Master Image and Capture

Build Reference Machine, Sysprep and Capture WIM

• Import the master image(s) created in image engineering • Create deployment task sequences using MDT • Enable Dynamic Deployment (Rules)

• Deploy image and layer additional components/settings. • This requires a dynamic deployment platform. – Determine new or refresh – Customize the deployment with dynamic settings and configuration – Install additional applications dynamically MDT 2013 Boot image , Task Sequence , OS Applications Database Queries, scripts , dynamic changes ,

MDT Server

Deployed Client

Initial Setup

Create New Deployment Task Sequence Import Custom Images (from Image Engineering)

Support the Task Sequence

Add Applications (for deploy time) Add Packages (for deploy time) Add Drivers (for deploy time)

Task Sequence

Configure Dynamic Properties

Adjust the Deployment Task Sequence Configure Properties in the MDT Deployment Database Adjust CS.ini to query the MDT Deployment Database

Deploy Custom Image

Deploy Machines

• Challenges – Multiple packaging methods – New versions may drop support for old devices – Badly-formed drivers (INFs)

• Boot Image Drivers – Primarily Nic & Storage – WinPE 5.0 uses Windows 8.1 drivers

• Operating System Drivers – All drivers

• Deployment Share holds driver repository • Designed to be dynamic – Rules-based process to help filter – Driver Groups and Selection Profiles

MDT Installing And Exploring The MDT

TechNet Deploy Windows 8.1 Windows 8.1 Enterprise Evaluation Download Window 8.1 Enterprise Evaluation Resource Page Windows 8.1 TechCenter Springboard Series Blog