Sugessions WDS or MDT for Windows XP to Windows 7 Migration and new Deployment server

[genesis]

Hi

 

I am planning to migrate my 300 PCs from XP to Windows7. I have used Symantec Altiris in my last work place. Due to budget constraint I will not be able to afford Altiris and I don't have any deployment server in place at the moment. I am planning for a fresh install of deployment server on Windows 2012 virtual server .Please let me know if any one have experience using WDS or MDT and I have not used them at all.

 

Please suggest If WDS or MDT is better / do I need both to be installed for better management.

 

Thanks in advance

Edited February 20, 2014 by genesis

[FN-GM]

The equivalent to Altiris is SCCM it will push out apps as well an operating systems. If you want that kind of level look at SCCM. Its pretty cheap with EEES licensing.

[MordyT]

MDT can be used for app deployment as well. Not as slick as Altiris, but works none the less.

[jamesreedersmith]

We use WDS with MSI's via GPO.

 

Works really well and makes managing what applications are on which machhines easy as just moving it in AD updates the list.

[Asgard]

We use MDT with WDS sitting in front of it on the same box, but WDS just serves our boot image.

 

PCs/Laptops and iMac's are all imaged from it

[free780]

After using mdt, wds seems to have a lot of unnecessary work. SCCM is a big job to learn and install. Mdt can be up and running in a day. Getting your builf and capture to work the way you want takes a while.

[PotNoodleTech]

WDS and MDT. WDS to boot the intial PXE image(s) and MDT do do the actual O/S and APP install.

 

Works a charm. Not difficult to set up.

[garethEds]

MDT2013 is the dogs b****** - I love it.