And "YES, Ladies and Gentlemen" It Supports Multicasting!!!!!!!
If you have the responsibility of deploying OS's and Applications in your network, you have certainly heard of the Business Desktop Solution Accelerators, see all our Solutions here https://www.microsoft.com/technet/solutionaccelerators/default.mspx. These are a great set of tools that will save you time and money, leveraging the new Windows Vista wim (Windows Image) File Format to simplify and streamline deployment projects. Awesome toolset, go get this now if you have something cooking you need done before Christmas.
OR there is another option. The guys who built the BDD, have the next version, Deployment 4, up on https://connect.microsoft.com. Go sign up and get it now—why???? Lots of reasons, all nicely formatted below – but the two big ones? Support for Lite Touch deployments of Win2k8 and multicast support for Lite Touch Installations (LTI).
Jeff Newfield, one of the folks with responsibility for this cool new addition to the toolbox sent the following details out just today. Check it out!
Deployment 4 is the code name for the next version of Business Desktop Deployment (BDD) 2007. Deployment 4 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
· 2007 Office system
· 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.
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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.
o Quick start Configuration Manager 2007 operating system deployments using one wizard to create needed task sequences and packages.
o 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:
o Client template: Windows Vista, Windows XP
o Server template: Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2008
o Replace scenario template
· Ability to invoke web service calls
o Support for web service calls from rules
o 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.
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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 the Deployment 4 Beta 3 program, follow these steps:
1) Visit the Microsoft Connect Web site (https://connect.microsoft.com).
2) Click Invitations on the Connect menu.
3) Sign in using a valid Windows Live ID to continue to the Invitations page.
4) Enter your Invitation ID in the box. Your invitation ID is: D4B3-RFC6-99CW
5) 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.
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Related Resources |
Desktop Deployment Center on Microsoft TechNet
System Center Configuration Manager on Microsoft TechNet
System Center Configuration Manager evaluation software on Microsoft TechNet