1. OSD Front-Ends Henrik Rading Blog.coretech.dk/hra Senior Consultant
CT Global
Jason Sandys
home.configmgrftw.com
CT Global

2. Henrik Rading Jason Sandys @HenrikRading @JasonSandys
Microsoft certified since 1998
MVP for 8 years
19 years of deploying Windows
20+ years in IT (I’m old)
Nothing beats bacon!
Glory Glory, Man United

3. Of or relating to the initial phase of a project or process.
Front-End:
Of or relating to the initial phase of a project or process.
Of or relating to the part of a software system or online service that the user interacts with. J J

4. WHY WHAT WHERE WHEN HOW Use a front-end Is a front-end
Agenda
WHY
Use a front-end
WHAT
Is a front-end
WHERE
Do front-ends come from
WHEN
Do I use a front-end J
HOW
Do I use a front-end J

5. The World Without Front- ends

6. Why Use a Front-End What’s built in is not truly usable
Many decisions made at deployment time
Impossible or too costly to account for everything
Provide additional, non-default functionality J J

7. Why Use A Front-End Enable techs or end users
Make the process aesthetically pleasing
Limit, reduce, or eliminate errors
Limit back-end intervention and dependencies
Simplify processes J
Add missing functionality and business logic
The Mission
Flexible and easily customizable J

8. Front-end Demo: UI++ J J

9. What Are Front-Ends Local System Set Task Sequence Variables
Web Service
Set WMI or registry values H
Often present a UI to the interactive user
Includes logic based upon detectable information and/or information provided by the user to effect the following:
Perform configurations
Set Timezone
Set OU
Set Computer Name
Apply settings
Registry
WMI
Install software
Group settings based upon other logic or values like system, user, or business roles
Database
Install Software
Web Service H

10. Use Case Introduction Company: ViaMonstra Inc.
Located in different countrys, each representing its own business unit
Only one computer pr. employee
Deploys Windows 10 Enterprise x64 to all users H H

11. Front-end requirements
Only Authenticated users are allowed to install OS
Installation must only be run on supported hardware
Connected to a wired network
Must run on mains power
Have at least 2GB of RAM
Requirements for Non-IT users
Should only be able to select country
Computer name must automatically be set to PC-<country code>-<User>
OU, time zone and regional settings must automatically be set based on country

12. Front-end requirements – IT Staff
IT-staff must be able to:
Edit computer name
Select if BitLocker should be disabled
Select if Local Administrator Password Solution (LAPS) should be disabled
Override automatic OU, and select special OUs from a list

13. Use Case Demo: UI++ H H

14. How Do They Work Set a Task Sequence Variable Collection and Machine
COM Object
With a TS Task
Set Something Local*
Registry Value
WMI Value
Set Something Remote**
Active Directory
ConfigMgr J
Set or evaluate task sequence variables
Built-In
Action
Custom
Custom capabilities
Setting registry or WMI
Calling a web service
* Can usually be done directly
** Often done with a WebService J

15. Notable Task Sequence Variables
Built-in
SMSTSPostAction
SMSTSUDAUsers
SMSTSPreferredAdvertID
Action
OSDDomainOUName
OSDTimeZone
OSDComputerName
OSDBitlockerPIN
Custom
Package and Application Lists J
SMSTSPostAction
SMSTSUDAUsers
SMSTSPreferredAdvertID
OSDDomainOUName
OSDTimeZone
OSDComputerName
OSDBitlockerPIN
Package and Application Lists J

16. Setting A Task Sequence Variable
Precedence
Design time
from TS Editor
TS in XML
Collection and
Machine Variables
variables.dat J
Precedence
Runtime vs. design Time
Runtime from Set TS Variable task or COM Object J

17. Pre-start command: TS SelectionJ J

18. Setting up a front-end R R

19. Front-End Use Comparison
Pre-start Command
Within a TS
First thing interactive user sees for new computer scenario
Applicable to refresh computer scenario
Embedded in boot image
Current computer name is locally available
Can set or change the task sequence that will run R R

20. Where Do Front-Ends Come From
In-house developed
Microsoft
UDI
MDT
The Community
Microsoft
In-house
The Community H

21. Community Front-ends
Name: UI++ Technology: C++ URL: H H

22. Community Front-ends
Name: PowerShell OSD Frontend Technology: PowerShell URL: osd-frontend-with-windows-forms/ H H

23. Community Front-ends
Name: TsGui Technology: PowerShell URL: custom-guis-in-sccm/ H H

24. Community Front-ends
Name: Pretty Good Frontend Technology: C#, HTA URL: H H

25. Community Front-ends
Name: ConfigMgr OSD FrontEnd Technology: PowerShell URL: igmgr-osd-frontend-public-preview-available/ H H

26. Community Front-ends
Name: The CM12 BitLocker FrontEnd HTA Technology: HTA URL: cm12-bitlocker-frontend-hta/ H H

27. A Special Demo K K

28. PowerApps + Azure Automation
Part of Office 365
Portable
Roles Based Access Control built-in
Simple with no actual coding
Remote Desktop and VPN are not for millennials
Cloud Rules! (Even though Brian hates it) K K