DocktoDesk: PC Deployment Practices

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Dock-to-DeskPC Deployment Practices

• HDI Austin
• May 11, 2004

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How long does it take you

• To build a PC?

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Considerations

• Whether the users are upgrading from an existing
  operating system or performing clean
  installations
• The number of computers in the deployment
• Whether users can install the operating system
  themselves, or whether to perform unattended
  installations
• The amount of required customization
• The types and configuration of hardware available
• Whether the installation uses Active Directory

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Range of Technologies

• Manual Build
• Disk Imaging
• Ghost
• PowerQuest
• Unattended / Network Install
• Automated Desktop Systems
• LanDesk
• SMS
• Altiris

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Manual Build Check List

• D600
• Installed Windows XP Professional w/SP1.
• Installed Security Update (824146).
• Installed Intel mobile chipset driver.
• Installed Notebook System Software.
• Installed video driver.
• Installed audio driver.
• Installed internal NIC driver.
• Installed wireless NIC driver.
• Installed modem driver.
• Installed Digital Line Detect.
• Installed touchpad driver.
• Installed smartcard bus controller driver.
• Installed DVD Sentry.
• Joined SOUS domain.
• Set desktop like Windows 2000.
• Set folder options.
• Set power options.
• Enter WEP key for internal wireless card.

• Removed User Information from Word.
• Set Office Task Pane to never startup.
• Set language bar preferences.
• Uninstalled Dell Resource CD.
• Uninstalled MSN Explorer.
• Uninstalled Outlook Express.
• Uninstalled Windows Messenger.
• Installed WinDVD.
• Installed Easy CD Creator. Launched Easy CD
  Creator and accepted license.
• Installed Zimmer screensaver and wallpaper.
• Installed Acrobat Reader 6.0. Launched Acrobat
  Reader and accepted license. Disabled automatic
  updates. Deleted PrintMe Internet Printing group.
• Installed preconfigured eTrust antivirus software
  and updated .dat files.
• Installed LanDesk client.
• Set home page in Internet Explorer to
  http//home.zimmer.com and add my.zimmer.com to
  favorites.
• Set proxy settings to automatically detect the
  proxy server.
• Disable script debugging in Internet Explorer.
• Enabled download with prompt of unsigned ActiveX
  controls on internet security zone.
• Installed Oracle JInitiator and copied shortcut.
• Cleaned up All Users group. Removed Remote
  Assistance icon from Program group. Setup icons
  on toolbar.

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Manual Build

• Pros
• Personally built one of a kind.

• Cons
• Very time consuming.
• High labor costs.
• Not practical for multiple PCs.
• Requires human intervention.
• Human error factor.

Notes
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Unattended / Network Install

• Setup runs with minimal or no user interaction.
• Install can be automated and customized to
  include
• The operating system.
• Productivity applications, such as Microsoft
  Office.
• Custom applications.
• Support for multiple languages.
• Service Packs for Windows.
• Hardware device drivers.
• Current patches and bug fixes.

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Unattended / Network Install

• Pro
• Data compression, segmenting.
• Data is stored on network server.
• Scripted install runs at off hours.
• Multicast protocol, optimized for the LAN
  environment.
• Scripts save time and money.

• Con
• Network bandwidth, latency.
• Source availability.

Notes
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Which Imaging Software?

• Ghost
• PowerQuest
• SMS
• LanDesk
• Altiris
• Others?

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Disk Imaging Unique Features

• General and Versatile
• Does not require knowledge of file system.
• Can replace one filesystem type with another.
• Robust
• Old disk contents irrelevant.
• Fast
• Can be deployed to multiple PCs simultaneously.

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Disk Imaging Tasks
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Disk Imaging

• Convenient and fast tools for.
• Saving, transferring, and installing entire disk
  images.
• Make disaster recovery significantly easier.
• How Much to Include?
• Basic OS / Patches
• Common Applications
• Everything you can(

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Disk Imaging

• Cons
• Up-front effort
• Requires CD/DVD or floppy boot and manual
  installs at each PC.
• Multiple images for different hardware.
• Mistakes Multiply

• Pros
• Rapid and reliable PC deployment.
• File systems types can be replaced.
• Includes OS and applications.
• Bootable CD/DVD does not require network
  connection.

Notes
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Other Processes / Practices

• Checklist
• PXE Boot
• Windows PE
• Vendor Imaging
• Custom logon scripts
• System Restore Tools
• Roxio GoBack
• Deep Freeze
• Windows XP System Restore

• _____

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PXE BootPreboot Execution Environment