Windows Deployment Stuff : Deployment 4

Microsoft Deployment Released!

Jason Stiff — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 02:03:39 GMT

Unified Tools and Guidance for Desktop and Server Deployment Automation. Download it today!

We are pleased to announce the official release of the Microsoft Deployment Solution Accelerator! Microsoft Deployment is the next version of Business Desktop Deployment (BDD) 2007. Microsoft Deployment, the fourth generation deployment accelerator, enables deployment of servers and desktops. Its tools and end-to-end guidance reduce deployment time, standardize desktop and server images, limit service disruptions, reduce post-deployment help desk costs and improve security and ongoing configuration management.

Microsoft Deployment follows the trend for unified deployment tools across desktops, servers, and applications. This release represents an exciting opportunity for thousands of current BDD 2007 users to easily adopt Microsoft Deployment’s new capabilities for Windows Server® imaging and deployment automation. At the same time, Microsoft Deployment continues to enhance Windows Vista® and 2007 Office system deployment using new technologies, like System Center Configuration Manager 2007 or the new multicast feature in Windows Deployment Services.

Microsoft Deployment adds integration with recently released deployment technologies to create a single path for image creation and deployment, including:

System Center Configuration Manager 2007 Operating System Deployment
System Center Operations Manager
Windows Automated Installation Kit
Windows Deployment Services with new multicast technology
Application Compatibility Toolkit 5.0
User State Migration Tool 3.0.1
2007 Office system
Windows Server 2008 Server Manager for automated server role definition
Systems Management Server 2003 with the Operating System Deployment Feature Pack

Accelerator Features

Microsoft Deployment is the recommended process and toolset to automate desktop and server deployment. It provides detailed guidance and job aids for every organizational role involved with large-scale deployment projects. This release continues to provide automation options to satisfy a broad range of organizations – Lite Touch Installation (LTI) with minimal infrastructure requirements up to the enterprise-class Zero Touch Installation (ZTI) option using new System Center Configuration Manager 2007 deployment features. The new Deployment Workbench tool in Microsoft Deployment offers enhanced flexibility for defining deployment task sequences. Customizable and easy-to-use deployment task sequence templates are provided for client and server deployment.

New Features in this Release

This release marks the first in a series of three Microsoft Deployment releases planned between now and Summer 2008. It focuses on integration with new deployment features in Configuration Manager 2007 as well as features and guidance to support server deployment. Future updates to Microsoft Deployment will add further support for Windows Server 2008, Windows Vista SP1, and System Center Configuration Manager 2007 SP1 releases.

Microsoft Deployment delivers additional value to Configuration Manager 2007 users by adding complete integration into the Configuration Manager 2007 administrator console and task sequencer as a product extension. Microsoft Deployment combined with Configuration Manager 2007allows users to:

Dynamically install packages
Automatically determine user state store locations
Back up computers and database settings
Install to computers unknown to the Configuration Manager 2007 database
Perform offline patching
Install language packs offline and online
Monitor deployments using an updated Operations Manager 2007 Management Pack

In addition to the new integration with Configuration Manager 2007, Microsoft Deployment also enhances the Lite Touch Installation for deploying desktops and servers. This release allows LTI users to:

Deploy pre-release versions of Windows Server 2008, including support for Server Core installation options.
Automate server role definition using Server Manager.
Configure disk and network interface cards (NICs), including static TCP/IP configuration.
Migrate from LTI to Configuration Manager 2007.
Create custom task sequences or modify task sequences based on new templates for:

Client template: Windows Vista, Windows® XP
Server template: Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2008
Replace scenario template

Invoke Web service calls from rules.
Deploy operating system images using the new multicast feature in Windows Server 2008 Windows Deployment Services.

Where to Find Microsoft Deployment

Microsoft Deployment is available as a free download on the Microsoft Download Center.

The Microsoft TechNet Desktop Deployment Center and the new Server Deployment Center host the Microsoft Deployment process guidance for online reading.

BDD is no more... long live MD!

Jason Stiff — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 02:25:16 GMT

"We are pleased to announce the RC1 release and new name for the fourth generation deployment Solution Accelerator, Microsoft Deployment. The current generation of automated deployment tools from Microsoft is increasingly unified; the same tools, utilities and products in many cases offer support and functionality for desktop and server deployment tasks. Following the trend of unified tools, the Business Desktop Deployment team has incorporated new functionality and guidance to support automated server deployment in addition to desktop deployment capabilities. This expanded feature set, with its guidance and ability to automate installation of Windows client and server operating systems – as well as applications – has effectively outgrown the current name, Business Desktop Deployment. Previous Beta releases have been using the code name “Deployment 4” to refer to Microsoft Deployment before the name was finalized.

Microsoft Deployment is the next version of Business Desktop Deployment (BDD) 2007. It unifies the tools and processes required for desktop and server deployment into a common deployment console and collection of guidance. Microsoft Deployment adds integration with current Microsoft deployment technologies – System Center Configuration Manager 2007, Windows Deployment Services, and the Windows Automated Installation Kit – to create a single path for image creation and automated installation. Microsoft Deployment adds integration with recently released Microsoft deployment technologies to create a single path for image creation and deployment, including:

System Center Configuration Manager 2007 Operating System Deployment
Windows Automated Installation Kit
Windows Deployment Services with new multicast technology
Application Compatibility Toolkit 5.0
User State Migration Tool 3.0.1
2007 Office system
Windows Server 2008 Server Manager for automated server role definition

This release candidate also offers an enhanced Microsoft Connect portal including technical frequently asked questions, deployment tips and tricks, a recommended 10-step program for new users to quickly get acquainted with deployment accelerators, customer-ready Solution Accelerator informational materials, and deployment-related conference presentations. Microsoft Deployment is available as an open beta download.

Join the Microsoft Deployment Connection program on Microsoft Connect.

If you are already registered for the program, click here.If you have not previously registered with Microsoft Connect, you might be required to register before you continue with the invitation process.

Microsoft Deployment combines the guidance and toolset from previous releases of Business Desktop Deployment and Beta releases of Windows Server Deployment. This release continues to support Zero Touch Installation (ZTI) of desktop operating systems using Systems Management Server (SMS) 2003 with the Operating System Deployment Feature Pack and adds new deployment and task sequencing capabilities for desktops and servers using System Center Configuration Manager 2007. Microsoft Deployment also continues to provide Lite Touch Installation (LTI) support without infrastructure requirements and adds capabilities for Windows Server 2003 and pre-release versions of Windows Server 2008.

New Features in Microsoft Deployment

Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager 2007 support, with the following features:

Full support for Windows Vista, Windows XP, and Windows Server 2003 deployments with Microsoft Deployment and Configuration Manager 2007.
Complete integration into the Configuration Manager 2007 admin console and task sequencing capabilities.

Quick start Configuration Manager 2007 operating system deployments using one wizard to create needed task sequences and packages.
Extension of the Configuration Manager 2007 task sequencing capabilities with new actions.

Feature parity with BDD 2007 and SMS 2003, including dynamic package installation, automatic determination of state store location, computer backup, and database settings.
Installation support for computers unknown to the Configuration Manager 2007 database
Added support for offline patching
Support for offline and online language pack installation
Deployment monitoring:

Updated Management Pack for System Center Operations Manager 2007

Lite Touch Installation (LTI) support for Windows Server 2008:

Support for deploying Windows Server 2008 Beta 3 and potentially RC1 (to be verified after RC1 release), including support for Server Core installation options.
Automated server role definition using Server Manager

Lite Touch Installation (LTI) enhancements:

Enhanced disk and network interface cards (NICs) configuration options, including support for static TCP/IP configuration.
Design changes to ease the migration from LTI to Configuration Manager 2007.
Support for multiple task sequence templates. New sample templates include:

Client template: Windows Vista, Windows XP
Server template: Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2008
Replace scenario template

Ability to invoke web service calls

Support for web service calls from rules
Web services can be invoked as part of the rules processing performed by Microsoft Deployment, using new rules that can be defined in CustomSettings.ini.

Support for BDD 2007 upgrade or side-by-side installation with Microsoft Deployment.

Lite Touch Installation (LTI) multicast support:

Deployment Workbench supports multicast transmission of operating system images when performing LTI deployments from Windows Server 2008 servers that are running Windows Deployment Services."

Announcing "Deployment 4" Beta 3 for Desktops and Servers

Jason Stiff — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 23:31:36 GMT

Deployment 4 is the code name for the next version of Business Desktop Deployment (BDD) 2007 and unifies the tools and processes required for desktop and server deployment into a common deployment console and collection of guidance. For the thousands of IT professionals already trained on BDD 2007, Deployment 4 requires minimal extra training to perform large-scale Windows Server 2008 and Windows Server 2003 deployments, while offering a further enhanced desktop deployment experience. Deployment 4 adds integration with recently released Microsoft deployment technologies to create a single path for image creation and deployment, including:

System Center Configuration Manager 2007 Operating System Deployment
Windows Automated Installation Kit
Windows Deployment Services with new multicast technology
Application Compatibility Toolkit 5.0
User State Migration Tool 3.0.1
Windows Server 2008 Server Manager for automated server role definition (coming soon)

Enhanced Beta Program on Microsoft Connect

This Beta release also offers an enhanced Microsoft Connect portal including technical frequently asked questions, deployment tips and tricks, a recommended 10-step program for new users to quickly get acquainted with deployment accelerators, customer-ready Solution Accelerator informational materials, and deployment-related conference presentations.

Accelerator Description

Deployment 4 Beta 3 combines the guidance and toolset from previous releases of Business Desktop Deployment and Beta releases of Windows Server Deployment. This release continues to support Zero Touch Installation (ZTI) of desktop operating systems using Systems Management Server (SMS) 2003 with the Operating System Deployment Feature Pack and adds new deployment and task sequencing capabilities for desktops and servers using System Center Configuration Manager 2007. Deployment 4 also continues to provide Lite Touch Installation (LTI) support without infrastructure requirements and adds capabilities for Windows Server 2003 and pre-release versions of Windows Server 2008.

New features in Deployment 4 Beta 3

Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager 2007 support, with the following features:
- Full support for Windows Vista, Windows XP, and Windows Server 2003 deployments with Deployment 4 and Configuration Manager 2007.
- Complete integration into the Configuration Manager 2007 admin console and task sequencing capabilities.
  - Quick start Configuration Manager 2007 operating system deployments using one wizard to create needed task sequences and packages.
  - Extends the Configuration Manager 2007 task sequencing capabilities with new actions.
- Feature parity with BDD 2007 and SMS 2003, including dynamic package installation, automatic determination of state store location, computer backup, database settings.
Lite Touch Installation (LTI) support for Windows Server 2008:
- Support for deploying Windows Server 2008 Beta 3 and potentially RC0 (to be verified after RC0 release), including support for Server Core installation options. (Windows Server 2008 TAP customers only.)
Lite Touch Installation (LTI) enhancements:
- Enhanced disk and network interface cards (NICs) configuration options, including support for static TCP/IP configuration.
- Design changes to ease the migration from LTI to Configuration Manager 2007.
- Support for multiple task sequence templates. New sample templates include:
  - Client template: Windows Vista, Windows XP
  - Server template: Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2008
  - Replace scenario template
- Ability to invoke web service calls Support for web service calls from rules
  - Web services can be invoked as part of the rules processing performed by Deployment 4, using new rules that can be defined in CustomSettings.ini.
- Support for side-by-side installation with Deployment 4 and BDD 2007 installed on the same machine.
Lite Touch Installation (LTI) multicast support:
- Deployment Workbench supports multicast transmission of operating system images when performing LTI deployments from Windows Server 2008 servers that are running Windows Deployment Services.

Where to Find Deployment 4 Beta 3

Deployment 4 Beta 3 is part of the Windows Server 2008 Beta and TAP Programs. It is also available as an open beta download.

To join Deployment 4 beta 3 program, follow these steps:

Visit the Microsoft Connect Web site (http://connect.microsoft.com).
Click Invitations on the Connect menu.
You will need to sign in using a valid Windows Live ID before you can continue to the Invitations page.
Enter your Invitation ID in the box. Your invitation ID is: BDDP-QMYH-VWTH
Click Go.
If you have not previously registered with Microsoft Connect, you might be required to register before you continue with the invitation process.

To download Deployment 4, click Download Now.

This beta release is an exciting update, bringing both client and server deployment methodologies together using the same deployment guidance and best practice as well as integrating with the soon to be available System Center Configuration Manager 2007 (SCCM 2007). I look forward to playing with this new release.