Course Overview
Windows Vista leverages a flexible deployment model that can reduce administration costs through efficient distribution methods and standardised images. An effective deployment and administration strategy is essential to the successful integration of Windows Vista in your environment.
In this course, you gain the knowledge and skills to deploy and manage Windows Vista effectively within your organisation.
Audience
This course is valuable for those responsible for deploying and managing Windows Vista in an enterprise environment.
Skills Gained
- Plan and administer effective Windows Vista deployments 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
- Troubleshoot and manage Windows Vista with built-in tools and utilities
Prerequisites
The Vista Administration course or previous experience administering Windows systems is assumed.
Course Outline
Introduction to Vista Deployment
- Evaluating editions for the business environment
- Analysing hardware prerequisites
- Investigating the WIM
- Leveraging Windows Anytime Upgrade (WAU)
Building Standardised Images
Selecting a distribution method
- DVD
- USB drive
- Network shares
- Unattended
- Image-based
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)
- 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
- Reviewing Windows Genuine Advantage
- Troubleshooting activation issues
- Resolving Reduced Functionality Mode (RFM)
Multiple Activation Keys (MAK)
- Applying MAK to numerous machines
- Leveraging the Volume Activation Management Tool
Key Management Service (KMS)
- Installing and configuring the KMS machine
- Periodic client reactivation requirements
Automating and Maintaining Deployment
Moving user environments to Windows Vista
- Contrasting in-place and clean installations
- Copying data and settings with Windows Easy Transfer
- Relocating user environments with the User State Migration Tool (USMT)
Updating and maintaining images
- Injecting third-party drivers
- Slipstreaming Service Packs
- Applying hot fixes and updates offline
Lite Touch Installations
- Augmenting WIMs via the Business Desktop Deployment (BDD) Workbench
- Implementing Windows Deployment Services (WDS)
- Initiating Preboot eXecution Environment (PXE) installations
Zero Touch Installations
- Ensuring a valid deployment infrastructure
- Utilising the Systems Management Server (SMS)
Administering a Stable Environment
Troubleshooting the target computer
- Fixing Boot Configuration Data (BCD) store issues
- Resolving component failures via Windows Recovery Environment
- Customising Windows PE with additional tools
Implementing Windows Vista security
- Encrypting drives with BitLocker
- Adjusting the Windows Firewall for remote administration
Administering the desktop environment
- Automating management with Group Policy Objects (GPOs)
- Leveraging kiosks with the Shared Computer Toolkit
