Deploying Windows Vista

WDS Deployments
You should be at least somewhat familiar with previous-generation Windows deployment tools, such as RIS, before moving up to the WAIK and WDS. To review how a typical enterprise might roll out XP desktops in a preVista world, see the Web-exclusive sidebar “Deploying Windows with RIS,” InstantDoc ID 94191.

WDS is RIS's replacement and is installed from the WAIK CD or through a download. After installing WDS, you'll no longer have access to RIS, although any RIS install images you previously configured will still be available via the Legacy Images section of the WDS UI. Like RIS, WDS requires an AD-based network running DNS and DHCP services, and the WDS server must have an NTFS partition on which to store install images. If you've already installed RIS and configured these items, the WDS install wizard will let you use the RIS settings. However, some users will install WDS “fresh,” in which case they have to install (but not configure) RIS, install WDS, and then configure WDS during the install process.

Because of the modular nature of Vista, WDS will install several installation images when you add the Vista install.wim file to the WDS image store. On a typical version of Vista, you'll likely see seven images, each representing one of the available Vista product editions. These images will be installed into the WDS Install Images group, which is accessible from the WDS GUI.

Using the tools and techniques described earlier, you can create custom install images with custom answer files, store them in WDS, then deploy them to clients. For the most part, WDS works similarly to RIS. When you boot a Preboot Execution Environment (PXE)– enabled computer on the network, it finds the WDS server, loads WinPE to boot from RAM, then processes the answer file, if one exists. Depending on how automated the install is, you might have to answer some interactive setup questions at the beginning of the process and specify a computer name at the end.

Like RIS, WDS has its limitations. It doesn't support decent monitoring functionality, making it hard to gauge how well large-scale deployments have gone. For this reason, large enterprises will still want to rely on high-end deployment tools such as Microsoft Systems Management Server (SMS), whose useful deployment features include the ability to install Vista and the Microsoft Office 2007 System simultaneously using Zero Touch Installation technologies. Microsoft is also working on a set of Business Desktop Deployment solution accelerators for Vista and Office 2007 that will make rolling out these products in large environments easier.

Migrating to Vista
Traditionally, it's been best to install new Windows versions on new hardware for a couple of reasons. First, a new OS tends to introduce hardware and software incompatibilities, and second, the process of upgrading from one version of Windows to another has generally proven to be problematic. However, Vista's modular architecture partially eliminates these problems.

When you upgrade an XP PC to Vista, Windows Setup actually performs a clean install of Vista, then reinstalls applications and user settings to the upgraded system. The result is generally a system that performs as before, but with the benefits of Vista. (With Win2K, upgrading isn't as easy. Win2K can't be upgraded in-place to Vista, so you'll need to back up all user documents and data files from the Win2K system and copy them back to the PC after completing the upgrade.) Regardless of what Windows version is on your client PCs now, make sure those systems meet the minimum Vista requirements before attempting a migration. For a list of those requirements, go to http://www.winsupersite.com/reviews/winvista.asp.

There are two ways to migrate to Vista. Small businesses and individuals can use the Windows Easy Transfer tool and an optional Easy Transfer Cable to move user accounts, files and folders, program settings, Internet settings and favorites, and email settings from an existing Windows PC to a new PC running Vista. Or, you can capture this information from a client PC, put it on a recordable DVD, network share, or removable hard disk drive, install Vista interactively or using any of the methods described above, and then use the Windows Easy Transfer tool again to copy everything back to Vista.

Enterprises and large businesses need a more scalable approach. For them, the WAIK provides a new version of User State Migration Tool (USMT) to help migrate user files and settings during large Windows deployments.

Final Thoughts
Microsoft has bestowed Vista with major new versions of its software deployment tools. To those familiar with today's Windows deployment tools, the new WAIK, WDS, and USMT will seem familiar, yet more powerful. Those who have never before deployed Windows can rejoice: Vista is simpler to deploy than any earlier version of Windows.