Course Description
What is this course about?
To successfully integrate Windows 8 in an enterprise environment an effective deployment and administration strategy is essential. This course provides the fundamental knowledge and skills to evaluate various deployment solutions and provide ongoing management of enterprise systems. You will learn how to administer, troubleshoot and recover the updated tools and utilities of Windows 8.
Who will benefit from this course?
This course is beneficial for IT professionals and Windows administrators who are responsible for deploying and administering Windows 8.
What is the difference between this course and Deploying and Managing Windows® 7: Hands-On?
The focus of that course is deploying and managing Windows 7. While many of the tools and techniques are the same, the interface used to perform deployment in this course is Windows 8. Although both courses discuss deploying and managing Windows in an enterprise environment, this course goes another step by highlighting the new features and tools introduced in Windows 8.
Are we going to be using graphical tools and command line tools?
Yes, we will be using a number of graphical administration and deployment tools including Remote Desktop Services (RDS), Remote Assistance, Windows System Image Manager (WSIM), and Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack (MDOP). In addition, we will be using command line utilities to automate deployment and administration. We will be using Windows Assessment and Deployment Toolkit (Windows ADT) and PowerShell, among others.
Can you tell me approximately how much time is spent on deployment vs. management in the course?
Yes. Approximately, 40% of the course covers deployment, and 40% is devoted to managing. The remaining 20% covers both deployment and management, as these topics overlap in many areas.
What is ImageX?
ImageX is a file-based imaging tool from Microsoft. While it provides some of the features of typical third-party cloning utilities, it extends those features to allow single instance stores and in-place updates; however, it does not provide partitioning or multicasting capabilities found in many third-party imaging tools. This tool is discussed in the course and used in the hands-on exercises.
Does this course cover how to manage Microsoft's new Volume Licensing Activation in our environment?
Yes. We contrast Multiple Activation Keys (MAK), Key Management Services (KMS) and Active Directory based activation for Vista, Windows 7, Server 2008, Windows 8 and Microsoft Office. We have hands-on exercises that cover the planning stages, and enumeration of pre-deployed systems.
I've been deploying and administering Windows for many years, will this course still be useful to me?
Yes, the new deployment tools have been streamlined and the recovery tools have been significantly enhanced in this version of the Windows client. You will learn how to optimize your deployment process, including maintenance tasks. You will also learn the concepts required to successfully recover individual files to entire systems.
Am I going to implement WDS?
Yes. You install, configure and customize Windows Deployment Services (WDS). WDS replaces Remote Installation Services (RIS). The primary advantage to WDS over RIS is the ability to use Windows PE based boot images and multi-cast images to client workstations or servers.
How much time is spent on each topic?
Content Hours
Designing a Windows PE boot environment 2.75
Creating custom Windows 8 images 4.25
Implementing advanced deployment techniques 4.5
Managing product activation 2.25
Administering Windows 8 4.75
Troubleshooting and recovery 4.5
Times, including the workshops, are estimates; exact times may vary according to the needs of each class.
What kinds of hands-on exercises are performed in this course?
Approximately 40 percent of class time is spent in hands-on exercises. Hands-on exercises provide immediate reinforcement of the material covered. Exercises include:
- Customizing a Windows PE boot environment
- Capturing and deploying organization specific images
- Building Lite Touch images with MDT
- Planning and designing a volume activation solution
- Administering workstations and servers remotely
- Recovering lost and modified files
- Assigning group policies to specific users and computers
- Providing PXE network boot services with WDS
I'm attending this course from work using AnyWare - Learning Tree's web-based remote attendance platform. How will that impact what I learn?
You will participate fully in the course and acquire the same knowledge and skills as your classmates who participate in the classroom. You will have the same course materials, be able to easily communicate back and forth and ask questions of your instructors and peers, and you will control an in-classroom workstation dedicated entirely to you. Your instructor will be able to see exactly what you're doing and can interactively offer concrete help.
Is this course appropriate for small to medium sized organizations?
Yes, this course provides information and experience useful to those deploying or administering Windows 8 in any size environment. The more workstations or servers you are responsible for, the more benefit this class will have for you and your organization.
Agenda
Designing a Windows PE Boot Environment
- Installing Windows Assessment and Deployment Toolkit
- Creating optical and USB boot media
- Mounting PE images for updating
Creating Custom Windows 8 Images
Generating the reference machine
- Authoring an answer file
- Generalizing systems with Sysprep
Capturing reference images
- Scripting initial tasks
- Contrasting image formats
- Building file-based images with ImageX
Deploying custom images
- Partitioning drives with DiskPart
- Applying WIM file-based images with ImageX
Servicing off-line images
- Injecting drivers into off-line installation images
- Slip-streaming Windows security updates
- Localizing the user interface with language packs
Implementing Complex Deployment Techniques
Configuring Windows Deployment Services (WDS)
- PXE-booting across the network
- Multicasting to optimize bandwidth
Streamlining deployments with the Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (MDT)
- Importing operating systems and applications
- Augmenting drivers in support of new hardware
- Linking MDT with WDS to speed deployment
Rolling out Lite Touch images
- Bypassing and prepopulating wizard screens
- Referencing variables for automation
- Centralizing settings with a SQL database
Migrating to the Windows 8 platforms
- Maintaining user data throughout computer upgrades
- Reducing back-up and recovery times with hardlinks
Managing Activation
Selecting the appropriate activation model
- Implementing Active Directory based activation
- Multiple Activation Keys
- Key Management Services
Employing license activation tools
- Querying activation status
- Inventorying with the Volume Activation Management Tool
Administering Windows 8
Distributing settings with group policies
- Targeting users and computers
- Configuring new Windows 8 settings and policies
Extending the administrative toolset
- Leveraging Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack (MDOP)
- Organizing policies with Security Compliance Manager
Remoting into servers and workstations
- Shadowing desktops with Remote Assistance
- Initializing sessions via Remote Desktop Services (RDS)
Performing command line administration
- Finding and applying the correct command line tools
- Exploiting PowerShell cmdlets
Troubleshooting and Recovery
Backing up and recovering Windows 8 data
- Repairing startup problems with Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE)
- Restoring files and system state
Monitoring system performance and health
- Identifying bottlenecks with Resource Monitor
- Terminating processes with Task Manager
Maintaining backwards compatibility
- Isolating operating systems through VHD native boot
- Supporting legacy applications
Diagnostics and Recovery Toolset (DaRT)
- Analyzing crash dumps for likely causes
- Recovering offline systems with DaRT
Audience
IT professionals and Windows administrators who are responsible for deploying and administering Windows 8 who have experience with Windows 8