This article describes how enterprise users can deploy Windows 7 systems using the automated installation method. This method requires limited interaction at the beginning of the installation, but the rest of the process is automated. We recommend this method if your company has dedicated IT staff and a managed network of 200-500 client computers.
I. About the method
MDT 2010 can be used as an automatic installation method. Using MDT 2010 is likely to require only the infrastructure you already have, with no other requirements (the file server is the only infrastructure requirement). Using MDT 2010 as an automated installation method simplifies deployment and reduces support costs by providing a more consistent configuration with fewer support calls (all without the need for significant infrastructure investment).
The advantages of using MDT 2010 as an automated installation method include:
- Less problems because the configuration is consistent across all client computers.
- Deployment is simpler because MDT 2010 handles applications, device drivers, and update installations.
- Simplified maintenance because deploying applications, device drivers, and updates is extremely simple.
Second, method requirements
In order to use the automatic installation method, the following elements are required:
- Microsoft Evaluation and Planning Toolkit
- Microsoft Volume License (VL) Media
- Microsoft Deployment Tools Package (MDT) 2010
- Application Compatibility Toolkit (ACT) 5.5
- Windows Automated Installation Kit (Windows AIK), which includes the Windows User State Migration Toolkit (USMT) and MDT 2010 Other Tools
- Storage Distribution Shared File Server
- One of the following types:
-Starting media used by client computers during deployment
- A server configured with the Windows Deployment Services role< Br> Third, the deployment process
1. Evaluate the company's preparations. Use the Microsoft Assessment and Planning Toolkit to determine your company's readiness for Windows 7.
2. Analyze application compatibility. Use ACT to grade your applications, determine their compatibility status, and merge applications. ACT will help you identify and fix applications that have compatibility issues.
3. Prepare the infrastructure for deployment. Prepare the infrastructure for MDT 2010 by creating a file server as a deployment share. Or, install and configure the Windows Deployment Services role in Windows Server 2008. Starting a client computer with Windows Deployment Services is the easiest way to start a network deployment.
4. Install MDT 2010 and the necessary components. Install Windows AIK and MDT 2010 on the file server and other components required by the server.
5. Create a deployment share. Create a deployment share and prepare the operating system, applications, device drivers, and updates there.
6. Build a task sequence for installing Windows 7. In MDT 2010, create and customize a task sequence for each configuration you want to deploy. Instructions for installing Windows 7 are included in the task sequence.
7. Create a boot image. In MDT 2010, create media to connect to the deployment share. This media contains a Windows Preinstallation (Windows PE) image that is used to start client computers during deployment.
8. Copy the boot image to a portable storage device. When creating media for deployment sharing, create a device to launch a Windows PE image by preparing a bootable DVD or USB flash drive (UFD) using an image created with MDT 2010. Alternatively, add a Windows PE image to Windows Deployment Services to start the image faster during deployment.
9. Deploy Windows 7 to each computer. Start each client computer with a Windows PE image, then follow the instructions to log in to the distribution share, select a task sequence, and install Windows 7.
10. Activate Windows 7. If your company does not use Key Management Service (KMS), activate Windows 7 manually with Microsoft.
Fourth, method restrictions
The automatic installation method does not have any major restrictions on medium-sized enterprises, but requires limited interaction at the beginning of the installation. As your business grows, you can easily extend MDT 2010 by configuring your database and deploying the Windows Deployment Services role for an almost zero-touch experience. Eliminate user interaction with the deployment process by automating application installation and operating system configuration, helping to reduce deployment and support costs.