TABLE OF CONTENTS This chapter introduces you to the basics of different deployment technologies. It will also discuss benefits and drawbacks of different deployment methods.
Highlights:
Understand the fundamentals of computer deployment
Understand which considerations to make before your deployment
Explore different deployment methods
Understand the beauty of Remote Installation Services
Understand how to benefit from Remote Installation Services
Deploying computer operating systems and software to multiple computers is a task that every single IT administrator, IT supporter, or IT manager is faced with at least once during his or her career. A release of a new operating system, for either client computers or server computers, will often initiate this process.
New operating systems such as Windows XP or Windows Server 2003 have more and better functionality than, for example, Windows NT Workstation or Windows 2000 Server. They don't have the drawbacks of older operating systems, they are easier to manage, they offer more possibilities, and they are more scalable, more stable, and more economic. You name it. Based on these facts, it is common to evaluate and explore new possibilities, to examine how the organization can benefit, and, based on the results of this evaluation, to decide whether to deploy or not. A significant amount of time will often be used exploring different deployment products, methods, and technologies. Then often more time will be used testing your choices.
Your business might consist of 15, 160, 475, or 12,000 computers. No matter the size of your organization, the deployment...
