begeorge
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SCCM vs WDS
Is there an advantage of using SCCM for OS deployment over WDS?
In WDS you can just deploy image. In SCCM are Task Sequences where can you define multiple steps while OS is deploying. Install drivers, install updates, ...
ASKER
Is there something else I can use with WDS that will accomplish most of what SCCM can do i.e. Task Sequences? Can't WDS install drivers as well?
You can try Microsoft Deployment Toolkit. With this tool you can do almost all things like with SCCM.
For a smaller environment WDS/MDT (Microsoft Deployment Toolkit) will work just fine. SCCM is a more complex product with a steeper learning curve but is more powerful and scalable for a larger environment.
Things like zero touch deployment, task sequences as mentioned above, etc.
Should you invest the time and money into SCCM you can leverage it to do more than just OS deployment like asset management, application deployment and reporting.
Things like zero touch deployment, task sequences as mentioned above, etc.
Should you invest the time and money into SCCM you can leverage it to do more than just OS deployment like asset management, application deployment and reporting.
MDT is a very sweet spot between the two. I would not use WDS alone at anytime.
ASKER
Does MDT have any reporting capabilities?
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@drmiket
Very good information. I am not clear when you said:
"Note unless you really, really want to keep PXE booting then you can forget WDS if you use ConfigMgr as it can deliver upgrades to machines (in-place builds). PXE is needed for bare metal builds, but then if your machine can't boot it's likely it's broken rather than just corrupt. Cutting WDS just means one less thing to manage..."
I appreciate all this info...
Very good information. I am not clear when you said:
"Note unless you really, really want to keep PXE booting then you can forget WDS if you use ConfigMgr as it can deliver upgrades to machines (in-place builds). PXE is needed for bare metal builds, but then if your machine can't boot it's likely it's broken rather than just corrupt. Cutting WDS just means one less thing to manage..."
I appreciate all this info...
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