Question

Using MDT 2008 to deploy XP, where it fits in with WDS

Asked by: 33driver

Hi there,

I'm currently stumbling my way through getting XP set up to deploy through MDT 2008. I'm finding it hard to get any clear documentation on 'best practices' to set MDT 08 up. I'm yet to have any major problems, however I'm unclear on a number of things.

My main question at the moment is this:

I have WDS and MDT installed, as it sits, it seems I only use WDS for the boot images, MDT takes care of the image creation, but when I deploy my complete image, do I use WDS or MDT?

MDT seems to handle different hardware much nicer with its driver sets etc... but is MDT designed to deploy to all pc's where there are many different models or is it just for that intial reference image and customizing?

I read that the deployment lab is only used for the building of the image? Is this correct? I'm just finding it difficult to see where WDS and MDT sit in relation to each other.

There about about 30 to 40 different models in the fleet at the moment with about 10,000 machines across the state, so as you can imagine, setting this up to deploy to all of these is a big task.

We already have this up and running via RIS and ghost, but are looking towards a cleaner solution.

Hope someone can paint a clearer picture.

Thanks
Matt

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Asked On
2008-06-30 at 04:16:48ID23526496
Tags

Microsoft

,

Microsoft Deployment Tool

,

2008

Topics

Deployment Software for Development

,

Windows XP Operating System

,

MS System Center

Participating Experts
2
Points
125
Comments
7

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Answers

 

by: a-JaleelPosted on 2008-06-30 at 05:00:14ID: 21898283

The following linke can provide you with good information:
=================================================

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb456439(TechNet.10).aspx

Regards

 

by: 33driverPosted on 2008-06-30 at 17:57:29ID: 21904225

Hey there,

Thanks for that link, defiantely help and much better doco there than what comes with the software.

However, I still done understand the relationship between wds and mdt

Do I use WDS for boot images only? Use MDT to creation my unintended install, capture then deploy it?

Why do I need to capture it at all? Can I just set up the sequence the way I want it then start deploying machines?

THanks

 

by: a-JaleelPosted on 2008-07-01 at 00:33:04ID: 21905551

WDS, is windows deployment service, you need this service to be run for your BDD Project.
also Windows Deployment Services, the updated and redesigned version of Remote Installation Services (RIS), enables you to remotely deploy Windows operating systems, particularly Windows Vista. You can use Windows Deployment Services to reimage computers using customized images.

when u use MDT or BDD, you can customize the image, also provide deployment scenarios, in BDD you are using BOOT image that created by WDS.

Regard

 

by: 33driverPosted on 2008-07-01 at 00:43:13ID: 21905585

Agreed, so I am correct in the assumption that I can simply use MDT to deploy xp to all my machines.
WDS is used specifically for using boot images. You can use it to deploy images, but its not required. MDT is the preference for image custimization and deployment.

I'm on the right path? If so i'll close the question. Thanks for your replies.

 

by: a-JaleelPosted on 2008-07-01 at 02:07:23ID: 21905961

I recomend you to use MDT, just read what I provide you befor and then go for implementation, it's not hard to deploy using MDT.

 

by: 33driverPosted on 2008-07-01 at 02:14:21ID: 21905988

Yeah, MDT seems to be very straight forward it getting results, I'm just concerned i'm using the wrong tools. But i think i'm headed in the right direction.

Thanks

 

by: SummerhitsPosted on 2009-01-30 at 02:14:11ID: 23506637


You use MDT to create a task sequence which will inturn build an image for you on your target PC.  Use the MDT deployment workbench to make all the necessary tweaks and modifcations, apps/driver injection etc.  Once this is done you use the "Deploy" snap in to select a deploy point (this is where WDS comes in).  After following the instructions and updating your deployment point MDT will create a .iso and a .wim to use on your target PC.


Use WDS to upload the MDT's .wim file into the "boot images" section of the console.  In theory then when you boot your target machine (assuming that you have configured WDS with PXE) .  You will be able to select the modified MDT's image.  After selecting this the task sequence should initiate and depending on how you have set up unattend.xml etc the process will differ from person to person.  Providing you have added the "capture image" task into the task sequence on MDT after the build the PC will reboot and you can use a WDS capture image to capture what has just been build by the MDT's modified image.  I know ti sounds confusing but once you have completed this process it leaves you with an install image on the WDS server which you can then deploy to PCs.
Hope that helps.

20120131-EE-VQP-002

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