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Microsoft Deployment Toolkit – Deploying Applications in a Task SequenceOverview: One function of the Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (MDT) is the ability to deploy applications. Using this feature allows you to build and/or deploy images in addition to organizing and creating a completely standalone “application installer” script.This document assumes you have a basic working knowledge of MDT, MDT Task Sequences and application scripting/packaging.Perform the following steps in MDT:Preparation/Application organizationExpand the Task Sequence being used to deploy the Gold image with ApplicationsFolder Creation - for organizational purposes it is easier to create folders to group software togetherNote : when creating your folders you can enter a description of the folder contents in the “Comments” field. This will show when the MDT Task Sequence is run (this will be shown in a screen shot later in this document)Right-Click “Applications” and select “New Folder”Create a “_Base” folder – this will contain the software that is installed to all of your workstations. Adding the underscore character will make it “bubble” to the top of the listTypically this folder would include programs like Microsoft Office or Acrobat ReaderCreate a “_Cross Department” folder – this will contain the software that is not “Base” and not department specificDepending on your situation this list will vary – for some it might include programs like Acrobat Professional or CutePDF WriterCreate additional folders based on DepartmentThe purpose of this document “Accounting” and “Human Resources” groups will also be createdOnce the folders are completed MDT would look like this Application creation - each application to be deployed will be created in the appropriate folder in MDTTypically software will be deployed in one of two manners:With the installation files included in the MDT share (Application with source files)With the installation files not added to the MDT share (Application without source files or elsewhere on the network).The third choice “Application bundle” will not be discussed in this documentThe decision on whether to include the application files in the MDT share depends on numerous factors such as:Size of the application filesSize of the MDT share, in particular if you are replicating it to additional locationsWhether any network/external resources will be available during the imaging processAutomatic installationIt is most desirable to have the software install automatically using command line switches making the process a more consistent one however this may not be possible with all software.The MDT Application can just be used to “kick off” the installation program and require you to interact with it. This may be necessary if automated installations are not possible.For the purpose of this document the following factors will be usedAll installation files will be included in the MDT share using the “Application with source files” optionThe “_Base” software will be Acrobat Reader 10 and Microsoft Office 2010The “_Cross Department” software will be Acrobat Professional 10 and CutePDF 3.1The “Accounting” software will be Quicken 2016No software will be added to “Human Resources” at this timeFor simplification of this document all software is assumed to install automatically using a program called “Setup.exe” with a command line switch of “/silent”.In practice this will need to be worked out for each program and will be different.The following steps will be performed for each of the applications added – for demo purposes the “_Base Software\Acrobat Reader” application will be addedCreate a folder called “Acrobat Reader 10” under your Downloads folderDownload the Acrobat Reader 10 installation files to the “Downloads\Acrobat Reader 10” folderIn MDT Right-Click the “_Base” folder and select “New Application”Select “Application with source files”Enter the following detailsPublisher: AdobeApplication Name: Acrobat ReaderVersion: 10Language: EnglishSource directory – browse to the “Downloads\Acrobat Reader 10” folderSpecify the name of the directory that should be created – leave the default name (Publisher Application Name Version) or modify as desiredCommand line: setup.exe /silentClick through until the processed is finishedFor demo purposes the following will also be completed“_Base\Microsoft Office 2010”“_Cross Department\Acrobat Professional 10”“_Cross Department\CutePDF 3.1”“Accounting\Quicken 2016”When completed your Application folders will have the appropriate programs listed in them – for example the “_Base” folder would look like this Modifying the Task Sequence – adding “Install Application” to the Task SequenceOpen the Task Sequence where you wish to add the application installation stepBy default a “Standard Task Sequence” when set-up will include “Install Applications” with the option to “Install multiple applications” in the “State Restore” sectionIf you do not have this then do the followingExpand the “State Restore” sectionClick on “Windows Update (Pre-Application Installation)” to highlight itClick the “Add” button and in the “General” section select “Install Application”Install Applications should now appear just after “Windows Update (Pre-Application Installation)” and be defaulted to “Install multiple Applications”Update the deployment shareRight-Click the Deployment Share name and choose “Update Deployment Share” to insure the boot image is updatedTesting the Task SequenceDepending on which method you use for booting the deployment you will need to either update the Windows Deployment Server (WDS) boot image, USB Flash Drive or DVD with the updated boot image. This document makes the assumption that you are familiar with this process and it will not be covered here.Boot the test computerWhen you select the Task Sequence complete each shown step in the Deployment Wizard – these steps will vary depending on which ones, if any, you have skippedWhen presented with the “Install Applications” screen as shown below select the applications for deployment as appropriate to the PC being imagedAlternative Methods for application installation during OS Deployment or Gold image buildingDeploying: Add the “Base” software applications directly to the Task Sequence making their installation to all computers being imaged automaticFor each “Base” program add the “Install Application” task as shown above, but then select the “Install a single application” option and choose the <next> application from the “_Base” folder using the “Browse” buttonAs each application is added change the “Name:” field from the default “Install Application” to something more suitable (i.e. “Install Acrobat Reader”) so the items displayed in the Task Sequence are more informativeHide the “_Base” folder since all its applications are in the Task Sequence automatically and there is no need to view them. This also prevents a technician performing the imaging process from selecting them which would cause them to be installed twice.To hide the folder right-click on it and select “Properties”, then remove the checkmark from the “Enable this folder” boxDeploying: Create a Task Sequence for each DepartmentThis method would work fine if there are a limited number of departments and the software installed for all computers is exactly the sameUsing the Accounting and Human Resources Departments as examplesCreate an Task Sequence called: “Accounting”Add each piece of “_Base” and “Accounting” software as an individual “Install Application” itemsCreate an Task Sequence called: “Human Resources”Add each piece of “_Base” and “Human Resources” software as an individual “Install Application” itemsHide the “_Base”, “Accounting” and “Human Resources” Application folders in MDT as noted aboveDeploying: Secondary Software onlyIt is also possible to create a “software install only” task sequence as followsIn MDT Right-Click the Task Sequences folder and select “New Task Sequence”General SettingsTask Sequence ID: ApplicationsTask Sequence Name: Install ApplicationsSelect TemplateChoose the following: Custom Task SequenceContinue through the setup process until the sequence is finishedDouble-click the “Install Applications” sequenceClick the “Task Sequence” tab – note that by default it will have “Install Application” with the “Install multiple Applications” option selectedTo use the new “Install Applications” sequenceOn a computer that is already imaged and has access to the \\MDTServer\DeploymentShareName location do the followingNote: substitute the name of your server for MDTServer and your Deployment Share for DeploymentShareNameOpen a CMD prompt and enter the following commandsNet use * \\MDTServer\DeploymentShareNameEnter Username and Password as necessary\\MDTServer\DeploymentShareName\scripts\litetouch.vbsThis will initiate the LiteTouch processEnter information as necessary, this is dependent on what screens are presented, until you reach the “Task Sequence” screenSelect the “Install Applications” sequenceSelect the checkbox next to each application you wish to installBuilding: Applications in the Gold image creating processUsing MDT to build and capture your Gold image provides a consistent, repeatable experienceApplication pre-requisites are often included in the Gold image – programs like Visual C++ Runtime Files, SilverLight, etc.Create Application installs for your pre-requisite programs so they install in a silent, unattended manner and add them one-by-one to your Task Sequence to automate the gold image process ................
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