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

MDT 2012—Now Available for Download!!

Microsoft Announced that, the MDT 2012 is now officially available for download.

Download the latest release of MDT 2012 to stay up-to-date on your Operating system deployment needs. New features and enhancements make large-scale desktop and server deployments smoother than before.

Key Benefits:
· Support for Configuration Manager 2012
· Customizable deployment questions
· Ease Lite Touch installation
· Secure deployments
· Reliability and flexibility
· Support for Windows 8

Support for Configuration Manager 2012: This update provides support for Configuration Manager 2012 RC2 releases. MDT 2012 fully leverages the capabilities provided by Configuration Manager 2012 for OS deployment. The latest version of MDT offers new User-Driven Installation components and extensibility for Configuration Manager 2007 and 2012. Users now also have the ability to migrate MDT 2012 task sequences from Configuration Manager 2007 to Configuration Manager 2012.

Customize deployment questions: For System Center Configuration Manager customers, MDT 2012 provides an improved, extensible wizard and designer for customizing deployment questions.
Ease Lite Touch installation:The Microsoft Diagnostics and Recovery Toolkit (DaRT) is now integrated with Lite Touch Installation, providing remote control and diagnostics. New monitoring capabilities are available to check on the status of currently running deployments. LTI now has an improved deployment wizard user experience. Enhanced partitioning support ensures that deployments work regardless of the current structure.
Secure Deployments:MDT 2012 offers integration with the Microsoft Security Compliance Manager (SCM) tool to ensure a secure Windows deployment from the start.

Reliability and flexibility: Existing MDT users will find more reliability and flexibility with the many small enhancements and bug fixes and a smooth and simple upgrade process.

Support for Windows 8: MDT 2012 provides support for deploying Windows 8 Consumer Preview and Windows Server “8” Beta in a lab environment.

MDT works with the Microsoft Assessment and Planning Toolkit and Security Compliance Manager to help you plan, securely deploy, and manage new Microsoft technologies—easier, faster, and at less cost.

Learn more at Solutionaccelerators


Microsoft Download Center to download MDT 2012


MDT home page