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Microsoft Ships Updated Vista Deployment Tools

Microsoft has released its Solution Accelerator for Business Desktop Deployment 2007 (BDD 2007), a set of tools and guidance on how to use them to enable IT shops to deploy desktops running Windows Vista, Microsoft Windows XP, 2007 Microsoft Office system, or Microsoft Office 2003.

The Solution Accelerator for BDD 2007 provides guidance, sample templates, and technology files such as scripts and configuration files, according to company statements.

The solution accelerator, which is available for download, includes tools and “best practices” aimed at enabling IT professionals to create a software and hardware inventory, test applications for compatibility and to mitigate compatibility issues discovered during the process. It also enables them to set up initial lab environments with deployment and imaging servers, to customize and package applications, and to automate desktop image creation and deployment.

It also includes a framework for delivering Vista using so-called Zero Touch Installation (ZTI). ZTI uses Microsoft Systems Management Server (SMS), but there is also a non-SMS solution called the Lite Touch Installation (LTI) framework.

Microsoft shipped the beta of the Solution Accelerator for BDD 2007 last summer.

BDD 2007 also introduces the Deployment Workbench, which enables users to build and manage multiple OS configurations, define network deployment points and network shares, inject drivers, attach language packs, and chain applications.

The download size varies between 27.7 MB and 55.3 MB, depending on which components are desired. It supports Windows Server 2003, Windows Vista, Windows XP 64-bit, and Windows XP Service Pack 1 and Service Pack 2.

The download is available here.

About the Author

Stuart J. Johnston has covered technology, especially Microsoft, since February 1988 for InfoWorld, Computerworld, Information Week, and PC World, as well as for Enterprise Developer, XML & Web Services, and .NET magazines.

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