Introduction to MDT 2012 (MDT 2012: Module-1)

Learning Windows Deployment Tools 2012 can be overwhelming but it doesn’t have to be. Your choices are Microsoft Deployment Toolkit 2012 (MDT 2012), Windows Deployment Service (WDS) or System Center Configuration Manager 2012 (SCCM). Don’t waste time implementing the wrong tool or making common mistakes. Introduction to MDT 2012, In this session you’ll learn how to create and deploy your images using the MDT 2012 (yes it’s brand new and cooler than ever). Making changes to your images is easier than ever whether your changing the version of an application or the operating system to be deployed it’s a snap. Running deployments using the default settings works just fine but can sometimes be redundant answering the same questions over and over again. Automating the deployments let’s you hide the pages you don’t want to see and provide the answers under the hood – learn the best cheat sheet ever for your settings. The new features of MDT 2012 are really impressive, from true UEFI support to monitoring your deployments during the WinPE phase; you’ve got to check these out.

Source: Microsoft Technet

MDT 2012 Advanced (MDT 2012:Module-2)

At first glance the MDT 2012 UI may look like the previous versions but it has some hidden secrets. The properties of your deployment share control a lot about your deployments. In this session you'll learn how to control driver injection into your WinPEs (both x86 and x64) and .ISO creation. Migrating your XP workstations is completely different than installing to a bare metal machine, learn how to refresh the OS on an existing machine or replace existing machines with new while still maintaining users data and settings. In a perfect world everything should just work right? But we don't live in a perfect world and sometimes things don't work. Find out how to troubleshoot the log files to determine why things didn't work and resolve them quickly to get your deployments moving in the right direction.

Source: Microsoft Technet

WDS Deployment (MDT 2012:Module-3)

This video session is begins with installing and configuring WDS along with the most common infrastructure issues companies run into. Automating WDS is completely different than automating MDT so you'll meet the Windows System Image Manager (WSIM) tool to create your own unattend scripts. Managing WDS images is a whole different story as well - here you'll visit the Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) utility.

Source: Microsoft Technet

ZTI Deployment using SCCM (MDT 2012:Module-4)

SCCM is the only deployment solution from Micrsoft that provides Zero Touch Installations (ZTI) and is considered the Big Daddy of deployment. If you’ve never worked with SCCM or just want to take a peek at the newest version this video session is for you. We’ll begin with terminology to get everyone up to speed, and set up a complete ZTI deployment solution. In this session you’ll also learn how to integrate MDT and WDS into SCCM and why you would want to.

Source: Microsoft Technet

Troubleshooting SCCM ZTI deployments (MDT 2012:Module-5)

Troubleshooting is one of the most important skills to acquire and that skill set is based on really understanding the deployment process. In this video session you'll learn the entire ZTI process and where the log files reside for troubleshooting etc.. etc...

Source: Microsoft Technet

Zero Touch Operating System Deployment using MDT & SCCM 2007

This video tutorial / Screencast walks you through all the steps to prepare for a zero touch installation of a Windows image using Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (MDT) and System Center Configuration Manager (ConfigMgr) 2007:

Setup the server environment for ConfigMgr 2007 OS deployment

Configure the ConfigMgr 2007 Site Settings

Configure the ConfigMgr 2007 Computer Management Settings

Configure the ConfigMgr 2007 Operating System Deployment Settings

Setup and use MDT integration with ConfigMgr 2007

Add a reference machine object to ConfigMgr 2007

Create a build and capture reference image for mass deployment using ConfigMgr 2007

Source: Microsoft Technet

Configuration Manager 2012 Guide (Level 200): Module1

Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager 2012—Overview

With this topic we try to explore the major changes coming in System Center Configuration Manager 2012. On completion of this article gives you an overview of Configuration Manager 2012, shows how it empowers users, consolidate or unifies infrastructure and how it eases administrators job.

In the below video guide, you will learn the major parts of Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager 2012, and how the product fits into your evolving data center and private cloud infrastructure. Industry trends are moving toward highly virtualized infrastructures, and more user-centric models for managing systems and distributing software. 

The Video guide:

System Center Configuration Manager 2012 Technical Overview Slide.

Source: https://www.microsoftvirtualacademy.com  

Configuration Manager 2012 Guide (Level 200): Module2

Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager 2012-Deployment and Infrastructure Technical Overview

This module will also cover how System Center 2012 Configuration Manager makes it easier to service the rapidly growing number of connected devices in your organization, such as smartphones, tablets, and virtual machines, through centralized global configuration management. 

The video module will also covver the changes that help simplify the configuration and management of the infrastructure, how to use System Center 2012 Configuration Manager to gain insight to and control IT systems through easier maintenance, improved security and simplified configuration, as well as a number of other new features and updates to self-service application delivery, integrated settings management, antivirus management, UNIX and Linux support, compliance improvements, security updates, the new GUI, and much more....

The Video guide:

Extra Learning Kit

Deploying Clients for System Center 2012 Configuration Manager

Source: https://www.microsoftvirtualacademy.com

Configuration Manager 2012 Guide (Level 200): Module3

System Center Configuration Manager 2012 Overview and Infrastructure - Application Management Part 1

In this Microsoft technet video guide you will learn the basics of application management in System Center Configuration Manager 2012. See the changes in Software Distribution (SWD) and how this is used in Private Cloud, SaaS, App-V, VDI and mobile environments.

The Video guide:

Source: https://www.microsoftvirtualacademy.com

Configuration Manager 2012 Guide (Level 200): Module4

System Center Configuration Manager 2012 Overview and Infrastructure - Application Management Part 2

In this video module you will learn more about Software Distribution (SWD) and application management. This will look more in depth at enhance detection methods, application uninstallation and supersedence, as well as some other new features introduced with SCCM 2012.

The Video guide:

Source: https://www.microsoftvirtualacademy.com

Configuration Manager 2012 Guide (Level 200): Module5

System Center Configuration Manager 2012 Overview and Infrastructure - Compliance and Settings Management

 

 In this video module you will see how System Center Configuration Manager 2012 will enhance the compliance, security and customization in your datacenter. This video covers configuration items, baselines, deployment, collection and the ConfigMgr Agent. 

The Video guide:

 

Source: https://www.microsoftvirtualacademy.com

Configuration Manager 2012 Guide (Level 200): Module6

System Center Configuration Manager 2012 Overview and Infrastructure - Software Update Management

System Center Configuration Manager 2012 has enhanced in Software Update Management (SUM) to made it easier to configure, deploy and maintain the software in your environment. Learn more about superseded updates, the SUM admin role, client agent settings, simplified update groups, automation, GUI changes, alerts, reporting and the content library in this video.

The Video guide:

Source: https://www.microsoftvirtualacademy.com

Configuration Manager 2012 Guide (Level 200): Module7

Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager 2012—Enabling Flexible Work Styles with Intelligent Infrastructure

In this video module, you will learn how every person has a unique work style and a set of preferences for where, how, and when to work. It will show you how Microsoft offers flexible solutions to meet the needs of people and the IT departments that support them. Microsoft technologies are flexible and match the unique needs and styles of individuals. Using enterprise-grade solutions such as System Center Configuration Manager 2012 will help you to design, maintain, secure, and streamline your private cloud infrastructure, while reducing costs.

In this video module, you will be provided an overview of the current marketplace trends, in particular the consumerization of IT, and the solutions Microsoft has available for these trends. Consumerization of IT refers to the increasing say that users have about what technologies and devices they use to work. With this course, you will learn about using features in Configuration Manager 2012 to accommodate this trend. You will also learn how Configuration Manager 2012 helps you to manage the private cloud infrastructure that tech-savvy users need to support their new way of working.

The Video guide:

Source: https://www.microsoftvirtualacademy.com

Free eBook "Introducing Windows Server 2012"

Microsoft Press released free eBook on  "Introducing Windows Server 2012" authored by Mitch Tulloch. The book is written based on the Beta version and which covers following chapters.


Chapter 1: The business need for Windows Server 2012 The rationale behind cloud computing Making the transition
Technical requirements for successful cloud computing
Four ways Windows Server 2012 delivers value for cloud computing Foundation for building your private cloud

Chapter 2: Foundation for building your private cloud A complete virtualization platform
Increase scalability and performance Business continuity for virtualized workloads

Chapter 3: Highly available, easy-to-manage multi-server platform
Continuous availability
Cost efficiency
Management efficiency

Chapter 4: Deploy web applications on premises and in the cloud Scalable and elastic web platform
Support for open standards

Chapter 5: Enabling the modern workstyle Access virtually anywhere, from any device
Full Windows experience
Enhanced security and compliance

Download PDF version of this book with this link...

Source: MSDN Blog...