Published: Sep 28, 2012
Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (MDT) 2012 is a solution accelerator used by IT professionals to assist with the deployment of Microsoft products. MDT can be used to simplify the deployment of Microsoft operating systems and applications. Windows 7 and 8, as well as Windows Server 2008R2 and 2012, can be installed using MDT.
Microsoft Deployment Toolkit installs an application called deployment workbench to the computer. When using the Deployment Toolkit, there are several pieces that you’ll need to be familiar with.
The Management Computer — The computer that runs the deployment workbench is referred to as the management computer during the deployment process.
The deployment workbench on the management computer is where you will prepare to deploy your products. The deployment OS, device drivers for the hardware to which you’re deploying, and software applications are all used on the management computer. Task sequences and boot images are created using the deployment workbench on the management computer.
The management computer doesn’t have to be the same operating system as the one you’re deploying. You can have a Windows 7 workstation as the management computer and deploy Windows 7, 8, and Server 2008 R2 and 2012, all from the same management computer.
The Deployment Share — Deployment shares are created by the management computer. The deployment shares are shared directories used to holding the source files, drivers, applications, and system images. Deployment shares can be held on the management computer or on another network share.
The Reference Computer — The reference computer is used for preparing the image. The reference computer should be representative of the hardware to which you’re planning on deploying. The more alike it is, the more assured you can be that the deployment will later proceed without errors.
After putting the boot image and the initial task sequence together on the management computer, the reference computer goes through the deployment process. Images of the referenced computers after they have undergone the deployment are taken for final deployment to similar hardware.
The Target Computer — The target computer is the end point of the deployment. This is the computer or group of computers that you will deploy to.
There are several steps to deploying the software, and there are different options based on what type of installation experience you want your users to have. However, there are several general steps that are similar for each type of deployment you may want to create.
The end-user experience is determined by which deployment method you choose to use during the creation of the task sequence and boot image. There are three levels of user interaction.
The most widely available deployment method is the Lite Touch Installation method.
Zero Touch Installation is a completely automated installation. It requires Configuration Manager 2007 R3 or later.
User-Driven Installations give a flexible configuration experience. It takes input from users and can be customized to accept basic information from end-users for easy deployments, and also accept more advanced configuration settings when deployed by technicians.