Best Software / OS Deployment Method?
Hi
We currently use RIS images as our primary deployment method, currently around 6 different images for different categories of machines. We also use GPO to deploy certain software packages.
We're looking into getting rid of this method for hopefully something for more efficient and was wondering whether you guys use or have experience in using a good method.
RIS isn't bad but when it comes to Software updates they can be a pain. Also with different hardware sets means more images. GPOs also only work with .msi packages which can be restricting. I know there are conversions out there but how good are these?
We currently have over 500 machines in sets of 20, so potentially each set requiring different software and having different hardware. Any ideas what would be the best way to manage this?
We currently use RIS images as our primary deployment method, currently around 6 different images for different categories of machines. We also use GPO to deploy certain software packages.
We're looking into getting rid of this method for hopefully something for more efficient and was wondering whether you guys use or have experience in using a good method.
RIS isn't bad but when it comes to Software updates they can be a pain. Also with different hardware sets means more images. GPOs also only work with .msi packages which can be restricting. I know there are conversions out there but how good are these?
We currently have over 500 machines in sets of 20, so potentially each set requiring different software and having different hardware. Any ideas what would be the best way to manage this?
iceblock
I used to use Ghost console to manage multiple images for a call center environment. I just kept an machine handy to sysprep whenever I need to tweak an image. 450 machines, organized in 25 - 30 machine groups per image (each client business client used different tools). The only problem I had was with VLANs, otherwise keeping everything up to date was simple.
You say you use RIS -- any reason you haven't upgraded to WDS (windows deployment services)? (I Windows 2003 SP2 should automatically update it). You should be able to upgrade and set it in mixed mode so you can continue to run both RIS as well as WDS. This would work in a similar method to Ghost (except it's an MS 'product').
You can then prep a computer, install software, patches etc, sysprep, capture the image and use that to deploy on your workstations. It's a bit of a hassle to get it configured properly, but if you work out the kinks you should be able to use it just like Ghost and it should be easier to manage updates for your baselines.
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc766320.aspx
http://www.msfn.org/board/GUIDE-Creating-WIM-imag-t101383.html&s=c9637798746182c85fe94722d0ea454b
You can then prep a computer, install software, patches etc, sysprep, capture the image and use that to deploy on your workstations. It's a bit of a hassle to get it configured properly, but if you work out the kinks you should be able to use it just like Ghost and it should be easier to manage updates for your baselines.
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc766320.aspx
http://www.msfn.org/board/GUIDE-Creating-WIM-imag-t101383.html&s=c9637798746182c85fe94722d0ea454b
ASKER
Theres no particular reason we haven't upgraded, its only now we've really had an opportunity to take a good look into it.
As WDS is the successor of RIS wont that mean we'll still have to manage multiple images or has it changed?
How are software updates more easily managed?
Would you recommend using WDS instead of say SMS?
As WDS is the successor of RIS wont that mean we'll still have to manage multiple images or has it changed?
How are software updates more easily managed?
Would you recommend using WDS instead of say SMS?
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