Deploying Windows Vista: Hands-On

You Will Learn How To

Plan and deploy Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 in the enterprise
Develop customised Windows Imaging Format (WIM) files
Manage licensing and continuous client reactivation
Streamline migration and security updates to reduce implementation costs
Automate deployments through Lite Touch Installations and Zero Touch Installations
Maintain deployment images through offline editing

Course Benefits

An effective deployment strategy is essential to the successful integration of Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 in your organisation. This course provides the knowledge and skills to plan, manage and optimise client and server deployments. You also learn to administer licensing and facilitate cost-effective migration and security updates.

Who Should Attend

This course is valuable for those responsible for deploying and managing Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 in an enterprise environment. Course 950, "Windows Vista Comprehensive Introduction", Course 960, "Windows Server 2008 Comprehensive Introduction", or equivalent knowledge is assumed.

Hands-On Training

Throughout this course, extensive hands-on exercises provide you with practical experience deploying and managing Windows Vista. Exercises include:

Building Windows PE boot media
Creating answer files with SIM
Capturing and applying images
Deploying Windows Vista with ImageX
Updating image files with drivers and security updates
Adding applications and packages with Microsoft Deployment Toolkit
Installing and configuring WDS
Setting up a workstation with BitLocker drive encryption

Course Content

Planning a Windows Deployment

Investigating the new deployment technologies

Initiating setup from Windows PE
Applying images to install Windows

Developing a deployment strategy

Evaluating Windows editions for business needs
Automating installation for reliability and performance
Contrasting thick, thin and hybrid images
Optimising deployment with appropriate media

Selecting a distribution method

DVD
USB drive
Network shares
Storing images in Windows Imaging (WIM) format

Building Standardised Images

Creating the reference computer

Setting up the Windows Automated Installation Kit (WAIK)
Generating answer files with Windows System Image Manager (SIM)
Adding applications to the OS
Customising system settings

Exporting the master image

Generalising the system with the System Preparation Tool (Sysprep)
Customising Windows PE for imaging
Constructing the Windows PE boot media
Defining the file exclusion list
Capturing the image for distribution

Deploying to target computers

Preparing destination drives with DiskPart and automation utilities
Applying images with ImageX

Licensing Activation and Management

Analysing licensing models

Comparing licence types
Reviewing Windows Genuine Advantage
Troubleshooting activation issues
Resolving Windows Activation Failures

Multiple Activation Keys (MAK)

Identifying preferred MAK clients
Applying MAK to numerous machines
Leveraging the Volume Activation Management Tool

Key Management Service (KMS)

Designing a KMS licence infrastructure
Installing and configuring the KMS machine
Periodic client reactivation requirements

Scripting Deployment Tasks

Migrating user environments to Windows Vista

Contrasting user state migration options
Copying data and settings with Windows Easy Transfer
Relocating user environments with the User State Migration Tool (USMT)

Implementing BitLocker drive encryption

Selecting appropriate key storage and recovery options
Preparing systems with the Drive Preparation Tool
Rolling out BitLocker

Configuring Windows Server 2008 features

Enabling Windows Server roles
Automating domain setup with automation scripts

Maintaining Images and Image Files

Preparing images for editing

Mounting images in writable mode
Applying and recapturing from alternate locations

Updating WIM file format images

Adding and removing packages with the Package Manager (pkmgr)
Injecting third-party drivers
Editing the Windows file system and registry offline
Applying hotfixes and updates to an image file

Optimising Deployments

Assembling custom WIMs

Building Windows distribution shares
Constructing deployment points
Integrating software applications

Microsoft Deployment Toolkit

Automating Lite Touch installations
Preparing Zero Touch installations

Windows Deployment Services (WDS)

Accessing Boot and Install images
Combining WDS with Lite Touch installations

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Windows Systems Courses

Deploying Windows Vista®: Hands-On