[fog] To fog or not to fog

[beancole]

Hi All,

 

To fog or not to fog that is the question. Had fog installed (the old release) for ages and its brilliant. OS deployment with all programs in less than 20 minutes and the asset management capability is great. But its been a while and the server has died (maybe time to backup the backup.)

 

I want to know if anyone has used the latest version. I looked at it a while ago and it was a non starter. Also I was thinking about SCCM, whats the crack. I assume it will PXE boot, how long does it take install an O/S and programs etc.

 

Ben

[3s-gtech]

We run two versions of FOG, ancient (0.32) and a much newer one (1.20). Both work quite differently, but I don't have issues with either. What's the non-starter issue that you found? The new version uses a different boot image admittedly, but it seems to be sound. The old version supports Windows 8.1 with no issues, but of course doesn't have UEFI support (which needs some fiddling to work on the new).

[beancole]

We run two versions of FOG, ancient (0.32) and a much newer one (1.20). Both work quite differently, but I don't have issues with either. What's the non-starter issue that you found? The new version uses a different boot image admittedly, but it seems to be sound. The old version supports Windows 8.1 with no issues, but of course doesn't have UEFI support (which needs some fiddling to work on the new).

 

I tried Fog 1.# before 1.20 It was development issues If I remember problems with kernels on some of our dell machines. I might give it a go. Just looking for some peoples opinions on SCCM too before I start to make a decision I don't even know if it costs for example?

[3s-gtech]

Yes SCCM costs. MDT and WDS are free though to use though.

[Manny-Tech]

MDT and WDS for me. Does the job perfectly and is great for granular customisations to an image.

[Steve21]

Yes SCCM costs. MDT and WDS are free though to use though.

 

When you say cost you should be covered by your licenses for any client if you have an OVS with SA etc.

 

System Center 2012 R2 is licensed by:

 License required only for endpoints being managed. No additional licenses are needed for management servers or SQL Server technology

 

The biggest cost is if you're trying to manage other servers rather than clients (Unless something's changed?)

 

Steve

[hyb80]

This something I havent looked at since I moved jobs. From what I remember once it was up and running it was fairly stable. I just was wondering, how does it compare now, speed wise, to imaging a full room to WDS?

[beancole]

I just was wondering, how does it compare now, speed wise, to imaging a full room to WDS?

that's the badger, can it be fully up and running in 20 mins like fog is

[hyb80]

that part may be faster but I was wondering how FOG compares when imaging a full room in terms of speed against WDS

[rich_tech]

MDT with us images a single machine in about 12 minutes, was slower in past only because of Sibelius back then, as it had 40gb of sound files, which now work from a network share

 

I got a suite reimaged in 80 minutes a fortnight ago, 30 machines with majority of software in build save for flash/Java

[markwilfan]

I love sccm. Set it up right and it will pay for itself. It rocks our world