Deployment 4 FAQ

msdeployment — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 05:07:00 GMT

What is Deployment 4?

Deployment 4 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 of desktop operating systems using Systems Management Server 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 support without infrastructure requirements and adds capabilities for Windows Server 2003 and pre-release versions of Windows Server 2008.

Deployment 4 is available at the Microsoft Deployment Connection (http://connect.microsoft.com).

What applications and operating systems can I deploy using Deployment 4?

Deployment 4 will deploy pre-release versions of Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2003, Windows XP SP2, Windows Vista, and the 2007 Microsoft Office system using a variety of Microsoft tools and custom scripts.

Can I use Deployment 4 to deploy pre-release versions of Windows Server 2008?

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

Where do I find Deployment 4?

Deployment 4 is currently an open program on Microsoft Connect. To join the Deployment 4 Beta 3 program, follow these steps:

Visit the Microsoft Connect Web site (http://connect.microsoft.com).
Click Invitations on the Connect menu.
Sign in using a valid Windows Live ID to continue to the Invitations page.
Enter your Invitation ID in the box. Your invitation ID is: D4B3-RFC6-99CW
Click Go.

If you have not previously registered with Microsoft Connect, you might be required to register before you continue with the invitation process.

If the link in step 1 does not work for you, copy the full link and paste it into the Web browser address bar.

What new features does Deployment 4 contain?

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 System Management Server 2003, including dynamic package installation, automatic determination of state store location, computer backup, and database settings.

Lite Touch Installation 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 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 SP2
Server template: Windows Server 2003, pre-release versions of 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.
Windows Update Integration
Enhanced User State Migration

Lite Touch Installation 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.

What is the difference between Deployment 4 Lite Touch Installation and Zero Touch Installation?

Deployment 4 has been updated from Business Desktop Deployment 2007. As with previous releases, Lite Touch Installation requires a minimum set of tools and assumes that the environment does not have systems management utilities, directory services, or deployment servers in place. The highly automated Zero Touch Installation requires Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager 2007 or Microsoft System Management Server 2003 and Microsoft Active Directory® environment for deployment. Deployment 4’s Lite Touch Installation has been updated to share most of the configuration process with Zero Touch Installation. The unified architecture makes it easier to implement both Zero Touch Installation and Lite Touch Installation together if desired, depending on the breadth of tools available in the environment.

What does Deployment 4 include?

Deployment 4 provides the assets required to deliver Windows Vista and the 2007 Microsoft Office system to the corporate desktop.

Usability

Deployment 4 Explorer graphical user interface in the Deployment Workbench
Deployment 4 Getting Started Pages in the Deployment Workbench
Component/tool download and installation status

Included Tools and Related Guidance

Microsoft Application Compatibility Toolkit 5.0
Microsoft User State Migration Tool 3.0.1
Microsoft Windows Enterprise Learning Framework User Kit
Windows Automated Installation Kit (WAIK) User's Guide for Windows Vista
Microsoft Windows Preinstallation Environment 2.0
Stand-alone task sequencer derived from System Center Configuration Manager 2007
Deployment Workbench
Lite Touch Wizards
Zero Touch Configuration engine

Technical Solution Guidance

Getting Started Guide
Plan, Build, and Deploy Guide
Volume Activation Guides
Application Management Feature Team Guide
Infrastructure Remediation Feature Team Guide
Security Feature Team Guide
Migration Feature Team Guide
Imaging Engineering Feature Team Guide
Deployment Feature Team Guide
Preparing for Lite Touch Installation Guide
Preparing for Zero Touch Installation Guide
Preparing for System Center Configuration Manager 2007
Release Readiness Feature Team Guide
Operations Readiness Feature Team Guide
Plan, Build, and Deploy Guide for Office Upgrades
Office Deployment Guide
Enterprise Learning Framework User Guide
Test Feature Team Guide

Sample and Job Aid Documents

Sample Deployment 4 Project Plan, featuring a fictitious company archetype named Woodgrove Engineering
Woodgrove Enterprise IT Archetype
Woodgrove Business Case Document
Woodgrove Business Case Presentation
Site Deployment Project Plan
Test Feature Team Guide
Functional Specification
Migration Plan
Pilot Plan
Risk Template Tool
Test Plan
Test Specification
Test Cases Workbook
Training Plan
Vision Scope
Client Build Requirements
Application Knowledge Sheet
Communications Plan
Network and Workstation Hardware Upgrades List
Inventory Template
Assessment Template
Current State Assessment Template
The 20 Commandments of Software Packaging
Macrovision Application Preparation Roadmap
MSI Repackaging and Customization Best Practices Guide
Macrovision Brochure
Office Assessment Template
Office Budget Plan
Office Communications Plan
Office Configuration Plan
Office Current State Assessment Template
Office Distribution Plan
Office File Migration Plan
Office Functional Specification
Office Hardware Upgrades List
Office Inventory Template
Office Management Plan
Office Pilot Plan
Office Project Plan
Office Risk Template Tool
Office Test Plan
Office Training Plan
Office Vision Scope Plan

Which organizations will benefit from Deployment 4?

Deployment 4 offers a solution targeted to all corporate customers who have 25 or more networked PCs using Microsoft desktops and/or servers who need a high level of operational excellence and scalability. Deployment 4 is especially useful for organizations with varied network and systems management infrastructure. Organizations with low bandwidth or disconnected branch offices or remote users can also benefit from new capabilities in Deployment 4 to create stand-alone media initiated operating system deployments.

Which operating system migrations does Deployment 4 provide guidance for?

Deployment 4 can be used to manage desktop migrations of Windows 2000 and later operating systems to Windows Vista. Deployment 4 also provides functionality for migrating Windows 2000 to Windows XP with Service Pack 2.

How does the workflow process ensure smooth deployment?

The Deployment 4 process is based on Microsoft Solutions Framework (MSF). MSF delivers proven practices for planning, building, and deploying a variety of technology solutions. It combines aspects of software design and development plus infrastructure design and deployment into a single project life cycle. With MSF, organizations can achieve the right balance of flexibility while meeting their commitments, as well as achieve speed while minimizing their risks.

Does Deployment 4 make it easier for implementers to get to technical content?

Deployment 4 has contains feature team guides in two sections: guidance for project management and guidance for feature team technical implementers. The Deployment Workbench MMC application has document navigation features built into the tool.

How does Deployment 4 address the biggest obstacles in deployment?

Microsoft conducted extensive research to prioritize the top “deployment blockers” that prevent efficient migration and designed Deployment 4 to address these:

· Application compatibility

· Office documentation migration

· User state migration

· Automation of deployment

· Desktop Imaging

Which technologies are being applied in Deployment 4?

Deployment 4 is based on deployment tools from Microsoft, as well as custom scripts.

· Hardware and software Inventory—Application Compatibility Analyzer, Microsoft SQL Server™/Microsoft SQL Server™ 2000 Desktop Engine, Microsoft Office Access

· Application Compatibility Testing and Remediation—Application Compatibility Toolkit 5.0, Microsoft Virtual PC 2004

· Core Application Packaging—Office Professional Edition 2007, the Microsoft Office Resource Kit

· Imaging—ImageX, System Image Manager, Microsoft Windows Preinstallation Environment 2.0 (Windows PE 2.0), Sysprep, Deployment Workbench

· Project Management—Microsoft Project 2003

· Application Packaging—Customer choice

· Volume Activation 2.0 – New methods of activation

· User Data and Settings—User State Migration Tool 3.0

· Deployment Process—Windows PE 2.0, Sysprep, Windows Deployment Services, Deployment 4 Deployment Wizard

· BitLocker™ drive encryption support for Lite Touch Install scenarios

Are there technology constraints to Deployment 4?

By design, there are very few. With Deployment 4, Microsoft does not assume that any network management system or specific deployment servers already exist within the organization.

Will desktop users lose all data and settings that they currently have on their computers?

No. Deployment 4 provides detailed, best-practice guidance about user state migration for desktops and employs the User State Migration Tool 3.0.1 to migrate the desired settings and attributes to the new desktop.

Does Deployment 4 support Windows XP Professional with Service Pack 2 and Windows Server 2003 installations?

Yes. Deployment 4 supports Windows XP SP2, Windows Vista and Windows Server 2003 operating system installations.

How do I get Windows PE 2.0?

Windows PE 2.0 is available as part of the Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 operating systems (boot.wim). It is also available separately in the Windows Automated Installation Kit (Windows AIK), which includes Windows PE for each platform (ia64, x64, x86) and tools to customize it using Windows System Image Manager and Windows Deployment Services. Deployment 4 downloads the Windows AIK from the Deployment Workbench.

What tools are used in the Deployment 4 accelerator for imaging?

Deployment 4 delivers a feature-rich MMC console, Deployment Workbench, which is built on Windows Vista deployment tools including: ImageX, Windows System Image Manager, Windows PE 2.0, and Windows Deployment Services. Deployment 4 also uses Configuration Manager 2007’s stand-alone media initiated operating system deployment feature as well as System Management Server 2003 OS Deployment Feature Pack OS Image package contents and image management.

Does Deployment 4 address security policies necessary for desktop and server hardware?

Deployment 4 helps companies understand how security policies affect the design of operating system images and also discuss strategies for hardening of desktops and servers. However, Deployment 4 is not intended to replace specific security solutions. In parallel with Deployment 4, the Windows Vista Security Guide and Windows Server 2003 Security Guide is available on Microsoft TechNet and available from the Microsoft Download Center. Future Deployment accelerator releases will integrate the 2007 Office Security Guide and the Windows Server 2008 Security Guide.

Can Deployment 4 be tailored to fit a company’s specific project-management methodology?

Yes. Microsoft Solutions Framework (MSF) is a life-cycle model that addresses a number of disciplines, including project management, so good project-management methodology can be used in conjunction with the solution. The solution can even be adapted to operate within a different life-cycle methodology. Although the phases, tasks, and milestones are specific to MSF, the process is generic. Any analyst with a basic knowledge of MSF and the target methodology should be able to adapt Deployment 4 to fit into any project-management methodology.

Who should use Deployment 4 and how much does it cost?

Deployment 4 is freely available to customers and partners to use in planning and testing their operating system migration and deployment projects for pre-release versions of Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2003, Windows Vista, Windows XP SP2, and the 2007 Microsoft Office System. Deployment 4 is available at the Microsoft Deployment Connection (http://connect.microsoft.com).

Microsoft Deployment Toolkit Team Blog : Deployment 4 FAQ

Deployment 4 FAQ