TABLE OF CONTENTS EXAM 70-294 OBJECTIVE 4.2.1, 4.3.1
In the preceding chapter, you learned what Group Policy is and how to work with Group Policy Objects (GPOs). One of the most important functions of Group Policy in an enterprise-level network is the ability to automate software deployment throughout the organization, saving network administrators and users a great deal of time and trouble.
In this chapter, you will learn about Group Policy s software installation feature. We ll provide an understanding of the terminology and concepts behind software installation, and we ll show you how to use the components of software installation: Windows installer packages, transforms, patches, and application assignment scripts. You ll find out how to deploy software to users and to computers by assigning or publishing applications.
After covering the concepts, we walk you through the steps of preparing for Group Policy software installation, working with the GPO Editor and setting installation options. You ll find out how to upgrade applications, configure automatic updates, and remove managed applications. We ll also cover how to troubleshoot problems that can occur with Group Policy software deployment.
When Active Directory was first introduced in Windows 2000, one of its heralded features was the ability to distribute software via Group Policy. Although this was a welcome feature, there were many skeptics. However, experience has shown that IntelliMirror technology (of which Group Policy software installation is a part) makes an administrator s job much easier when it comes to managing a large pool of users...
