I'm worried about what to use with OS deployment over machines that are IMPORTANT

[Bradlys]

http://puu.sh/59osz.png

 

Hi All,

 

So I just got the old server (We moved to the cloud) and It's had it's OS HDD formatted. So it's completely clean.

Each of the slave machines have EXACTLY the same specs and are running on individual installations of Windows 7.

 

 

Things to take into consideration:

 

• This needs to be done without error (haha yea right)
  
• I'm super worried I'l mess it up
  
• So many choices, all soooo confusing
  

 

So this is my first deployment... I've never done this before and I'm so confused! It needs to be free, up to date and easy to manage. I've been given advice from some saying WDS and others saying FOG.

 

Any opinions advice, REALLY easy guides are much appreciated.

 

I attached a picture of our setup.

 

All the machines have wireless network cards - This is for connecting to the internet. I will be using a switch to connect to the server.

Edited November 5, 2013 by Bradlys

[FN-GM]

You wont be able to PXE over wireless. Even if you do manage to image over wireless you will have issues.

 

What are you worried about happening?

[Bradlys]

You wont be able to PXE over wireless. Even if you do manage to image over wireless you will have issues.

 

What are you worried about happening?

 

Sorry, worded it wrong. The wireless is just for connecting to the internet. They will be connected via a switch to the server.

 

And I'm worried about the machines being out of action for a lengthy amount of time

[free780]

Do you have standard software flash/office etc? I would use mdt/wds create a image with all the c++ runtimes + office and all updates. Capture it in a vm. You can create an iso for booting or usb stick. If you plug your laptops into a wired connection you can pxe boot.

 

Test test test with a test laptop. Get a user to try it out before you deploy.

Edited November 5, 2013 by free780

[Bradlys]

Do you have standard software flash/office etc? I would use mdt/wds create a image with all the c++ runtimes + office and all updates. Capture it in a vm. You can create an iso for booting or usb stick. If you plug your laptops into a wired connection you can pxe boot.

 

Test test test with a test laptop. Get a user to try it out before you deploy.

 

Would you be able to give me a guide you've followed and got on with, a lot of guides i find are out of date and software has changed a fair bit.

 

Thanks

[MYK-IT]

Highly recommend books from Deployment Fundamentals > Home I originally had Volume 1, then Volume 4 to setup WDS/MDT.

Some exerts from the books are available on-line, in forums etc. if you search hard enough.