Windows & MacOS image deployment - recommended solutions?

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wsnz

630 posts

Ultimate Geek

#144027 5-May-2014 12:31

Hi Guys,

I’m looking for some advice on automating the provision mostly MacOS PCs, but also a fair number of Windows PCs as well.

Currently Windows PCs are built using WDS while MacOS devices (highest OS used is Mavericks) are built via a bootable USB drive.

The site intends to move away from using AD to authenticate PC clients as they have moved the vast bulk to their infrastructure to the cloud and are using built-in authentication mechanisms for that purpose.

While a minimal AD infrastructure to meet the requirements of WDS could be left in place, perhaps a third-party tool could be used to provide a solution to the MacOS and Windows imaging.

What would you recommend, bearing in mind that the goals to :

Reduce labour required to rebuild PCs.
Provide a simple procedure for technically literate (but not advanced) users to perform reimaging tasks
Minimise on-site infrastructure.

Thanks!

gehenna

7375 posts

Uber Geek

Moderator

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#1036951 5-May-2014 12:36

Identical machines or a range of different types? That'll throw a spanner in the works...

Backblaze

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toyonut

1508 posts

Uber Geek

#1036993 5-May-2014 13:41

You can deploy WDS standalone with no AD if need be, certainly on Server 2012/2012R2 anyway.

Try Vultr using this link and get us both some credit:

http://www.vultr.com/?ref=7033587-3B

nathan

5695 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#1036999 5-May-2014 13:48

from the Windows side the best free tool to use is Microsoft Deployment Toolkit
http://www.microsoft.com/mdt

lxsw20

2947 posts

Uber Geek

#1037024 5-May-2014 14:09

nathan: from the Windows side the best free tool to use is Microsoft Deployment Toolkit
http://www.microsoft.com/mdt

Do you need SA on your OS to use MDT/WDS?

nathan

5695 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#1037032 5-May-2014 14:16

can't see why you would need SA for this.

pknz

93 posts

Master Geek

#1037035 5-May-2014 14:21

On the Mac side you could look at DeployStudio.

It allows you to either net boot (PXE) or run a local copy from an external disk.

If you spend a bit of time getting your workflows up and running it should be fairly straight forward with some instructions for a user. Also depends on how much customisation you need to put into the build.

billgates

4399 posts

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Trusted

#1037064 5-May-2014 15:02

SCCM for Windows and Casper for OSX. MDT for Windows if you want a free solution.

Do whatever you want to do man.

pknz

93 posts

Master Geek

#1037202 5-May-2014 17:48

Casper is pretty top end, and expensive.

wsnz

630 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1040749 9-May-2014 11:54

gehenna: Identical machines or a range of different types? That'll throw a spanner in the works...

Good point. The Macs are mostly identical, however the existing relatively old PCs are heterogeneous. As part of the procurement plan, I've strongly advised to replace the existing PCs with a single make and model.

paulmilbank: You can deploy WDS standalone with no AD if need be, certainly on Server 2012/2012R2 anyway.

You're right. Personally I've never looked back into the requirement for AD to be present since Server 2008 as everyone has had AD already operating. Obviously if I can do without AD, so much the better.

pknz: Casper is pretty top end, and expensive.

Any idea on the costs for a 200 seat academically licenced environment? It looks like I need to make a specific sales enquiry to get any pricing information, rather than just

pknz: On the Mac side you could look at DeployStudio.

It allows you to either net boot (PXE) or run a local copy from an external disk.

If you spend a bit of time getting your workflows up and running it should be fairly straight forward with some instructions for a user. Also depends on how much customisation you need to put into the build.

DeployStudio looks like it fits well, however I notice that the product also support deployment of PC images. Have you (or anyone) used it for both Mac and PC platforms? It's no big deal if there are two imaging systems for Mac and PC, but obviously I'd like to consolidate to one if possible.

pknz

93 posts

Master Geek

#1040919 9-May-2014 16:28

I haven't used DeployStudio for Windows deployment, only Mac.

Probably best to get a quote for Casper.

nathan

5695 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#1041741 11-May-2014 15:42

nathan: can't see why you would need SA for this.

MDT itself is a free download from www.microsoft.com/mdt Reimaging itself requires a Volume License, can just buy one license through VL to get the media/key

Do I need Software Assurance coverage to reimage?
No. You do not need Software Assurance coverage to have reimaging rights. You simply need to be a Volume License (VL) customer and have the appropriate VL media and keys that match the version, edition, and language for the underlying OEM or Retail license assigned to the device you are installing the image on. Please note that if you obtained rights to Windows Enterprise, you’ll need rights to Enterprise on any devices you are reimaging with Windows Enterprise as well.

Volume Licensing: Reimaging in Open License and Open Value Programs
You must purchase at least one license of the Microsoft software that you want to reimage under your Open License authorization number or Microsoft Open Value or Microsoft Open Value Subscription Agreement number. This purchase is required to obtain the media and necessary Volume Licensing Keys (VLK[s]). You may use this media to reimage as many devices as you have licenses for.

Reimaging of the Windows Desktop Operating System Microsoft Volume Licensing programs do not offer licenses for the full version of the Windows desktop operating system. However, the media for the full version is available to customers who license Windows via a Windows Upgrade license in any Volume Licensing program. Reimaging using Volume Licensing full version media requires that customers have licensed a Qualifying Windows desktop operating system either preinstalled through an OEM or System Builder, as an FPP retail product, or through other Microsoft programs. Volume Licensing customers can use their Volume Licensing full version media to reimage their Windows desktop operating system from an OEM only if it is the same product and version that came with the PC. Rights to reimage using a different version or edition may be granted in the EULA that came with your OEM version of Windows, your Volume Licensing Agreement, or in some Volume Licensing programs specified in the Product List.

http://blogs.technet.com/b/volume-licensing/archive/2014/02/13/licensing-how-to-reimaging-rights-top-5-questions.aspx

https://www.microsoft.com/licensing/about-licensing/briefs/reimaging.aspx

http://download.microsoft.com/download/3/D/4/3D42BDC2-6725-4B29-B75A-A5B04179958B/Reimaging.pdf