Lesson #5 MCTS 70-680 Cert Guide Microsoft Windows 7, Configuring Chapter 5 Deploying Windows 7

Chapter 5 Objectives Understand How to Plan a Windows 7 Deployment with Answer Files. Capture System Image Using Sysprep and ImageX. Use Deployment Image Servicing and Management to Prepare System Images for Deployment. Deploy Windows System Images Using Diskpart and ImageX. Troubleshoot an Unattended Installation of Windows 7.

Planning a Windows 7 Deployment Deployment Technologies: Windows SIM Facilitates Creation or Editing of Answer Files. Answer Files Are XML Files That Script Answers to Questions Asked by the Setup Wizard. Windows Image Is a Compressed File in .wim Format That Can Duplicate a Windows Installation. Windows Automated Installation Kit Contains Tools to Facilitate Deployment. Windows Preinstallation Environment Is the Primary Image Installation Agent Used with Windows AIK. Discuss tools available for deployment, including Windows SIM, Answer file, Windows image, AIK, Windows PE, WDS, ImageX, and Sysprep.

Planning a Windows 7 Deployment Deployment Technologies: Windows Deployment Services Helps Set Up Remote Clients Without the Need to Be Physically Present. ImageX Is a Command-Line Tool That Copies .wim Files. Sysprep Images a Windows Computer for Deployment. Windows Recovery Environment Is a Diagnostic and Recovery Tool Included with Windows PE.

Windows Images Image File Is a Compressed File. File has a .wim Extension. Images of Windows 7 Deployed to Multiple Computers. One Image File Can Contain Multiple Images. Review structure of .wim file, including WIM Header, File Resources, Metadata Resource, Lookup Table, XML Data, and Integrity Table.

Windows PE Windows PE Is a Startup Environment. Windows PE Enables Computer to Access Images Across a Network. Environment Facilitates Deployment of Windows 7 to Multiple Computers. Introduce Windows PE Command-Line Tools, including BCDBoot, DiskPart, and ImageX.

Answer Files Called Unattend.xml or Autounattend.xml. Include Setup Options, Such as Partitioning, Formatting, and Product Key. Include Installation-Specific Items, Such as Usernames and Display Settings. Windows System Image Manager Can Create Answer Files from Information in Windows Image Files and a Catalog File.

Download Windows AIK to Use SIM to Create Answer File Installing Windows Automated Installation Kit: This process begins the creation of an answer file. It continues through the next several slides.

Select Windows Image File to Create Answer File

Select install.wim File

Select Windows 7 Image

Create Catalog File Review Windows settings to a Basic Answer File.

Capturing a System Image Use Sysprep Utility to Prepare an Installed Computer to Be Duplicated as an Image. Windows 7 DVD Contains Image Suitable for Deployment. Begin with Reference Computer. Review instances when SysPrep cannot be used, such as Upgrades, Production Environment, OEM, and when a Default User Profile has been Overwritten.

Creating a WIM File Default WIM File Can Be Used to Create Answer File. Can Use ImageX Command to Create WIM File. Better to Create Separate Architecture-Specific WIM Files. Can Capture Images Manually or Automatically. Command-Line Steps for both Automated and Manual Image Capture. Students may need review of command-line commands and file system navigation.

Preparing System Images for Deployment Images May Need Modification Prior to Deployment. Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) Allows Configuration of Images Prior to Deployment. Can Add or Remove Packages and Drivers, Enable Windows Features, and Perform Customized Installation. Runs at Command Line. Review extensive command-line switches available in DISM. As noted prior, student knowledge of command line may require review.

Deploying Windows System Images Can Deploy Windows 7 Images Manually Using Windows PE. Can Deploy Windows 7 Images Automatically Using MDT or WDS. High-Touch with Retail Media Uses DVD on Each Client Computer. High-Touch with Standard Image Uses Standard Configuration Image Plus Manual Installation of Applications and Configuration. Light-Touch High-Volume Uses Windows Deployment Toolkit to Deploy Over a Network. Zero-Touch High-Volume Deployment Is Fully Automated. The benefits and drawbacks of each should be presented. In addition, the appropriate end uses can be discussed (such as organization size, numbers of computers, and availability of infrastructure).

Microsoft Deployment Toolkit Downloadable Along with Documentation: MDT provides extensive options for various deployment strategies. Methods such as inserting applications and drivers into the configuration, along with screen shots are reviewed in the text.

Troubleshooting an Unattended Installation Unique Problems with Unattended Installation That Don’t Occur with Attended Installations. Setup.exe Has a Variety of Switches That Complicate Installation. Answer File Is XML-Formatted and Versions Should Be Tested. Involvement of Encrypted Files with Sysprep May Cause the Process to Fail. Files Should Be Encrypted After the Image Is Transferred to the Target Computer. Various scenarios can be discussed. These include inability to locate an acceptable boot image, and incorrectly formatted answer files.

Chapter 5: Summary Windows 7 Is Deployable Using Various Strategies Depending on Organization Size. Deployment Tools Are Included with the Installation CD and Through Download. One Image May Be Deployed on Multiple Computers. Sysprep, Answer Files, and WDT Permit Unattended Installation of Windows 7. Troubleshooting Windows 7 Deployment May Involve Inspecting Command-Line Syntax, Answer Files, and Whether Encrypted Files Have Been Used. Next Lesson: Chapter 6, “Configuring Virtual Hard Disks”