A Quick Guide to Setting up Windows Deployment Services with MDT

Make sure you have infrastructure setup (AD, DNS, DHCP)  Download files; Prepare for deployment Learn more about the MDT 2010

1. Download the Microsoft Deployment Toolkit 2010
2. Download WAIK for Windows 7 {large ISO}
3. Download Windows 7 Deployment Guide

Install Windows Deployment Services role [WDS] {Server Manager: Roles - Add Windows Deployment Services [defaults for all except turn on "respond to all clients"]}

Install Microsoft Deployment Toolkit [MDT] {Learn more about the MDT 2010}

Install Automated Installation Kit [AIK]

Create MDT 2010 Deployment Share {deployment workbench: right-click deployment share} 

Add Operating System Files to the deployment Share {Deployment Workbench: Operating Systems: Action Pane: click Import Operating System}

Add Drivers {Deployment Workbench: Out-Of-Box Drivers: Action Pane: click Import Drivers; browse to location of drivers} 

Create Task Sequence {Deployment Workbench: Task Sequence: Action Pane: click New Task Sequence [Turn on sysprep and capture computer]}

Update Deployment Share {Deployment Workbench: MDT Deployment Share: Action Pane: click Update Deployment Share}  [This creates your WIM and ISO files based on the configuration from above]

Import Boot WIM to WDS: Now we need to import the files create above into our Windows Deployment Services. {Server Manager: Roles: Windows Deployment Services:Servers:FQDNofServer:Boot Images - Right Click - Add Boot Image - Browse to location of \\severname\deplymentshare$\boot\LiteTouchPE_x??}

Network Boot the Reference Computer {Boot and press F12 for PXE Boot [note if using Hyper-V virtual guest you have to use a legacy NIC to do PXE boot] Follow on-screen prompts}

Add Captured Reference Image to Deployment Workbench {Deployment Workbench: Operating Systems: Action Pane: click Import Operating System - change to "Custom WIM" and select the WIM from the Captures share \\servername\deploymentshare$\captures}

Create task Sequence for Target Computer {Deployment Workbench: Task Sequence: Action Pane: click New Task Sequence [leave sysprep and capture computer off]}

PXE Boot Target computer to deploy image :)



Alternatively you can use MDT 2012 but it is not needed unless you are planning to deploy Windows 8.

Starting a Tech Blog

So I've been thinking of starting a tech blog.

Most days a go to work and I like to think that I strive to help provide new and innovative ways to enhance technology for my enterprise.  At the end of the day, though, I come home and even though my company may have benefited from what I have accomplished, I think to myself:  "What have I gained from this and who else could gain from what I have learned?"  So I have decided that I will start to catalog my accomplishments in technology.  I want to share what I have learned so that others may benefit.

So once I brought myself to deciding to make this blog, I thought to myself, "You know?  Maybe this works both ways.  What if I decide to blog about something I am currently trying to figure out and someone else out there has already done what I am trying to do?"  And then I realized that creating a blog could also help me figure things out by welcoming others to contribute, and hopefully others down the line.

So here it is:  The Fully Qualified Domain.  My corner of the internet for everything technology that makes peoples' brains hurt.  I hope you enjoy it.