Microsoft® Windows® Desktop Deployment Resource Kit (Pro-Resource Kit) [Paperback]

Jerry Honeycutt (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0735618984 | ISBN-13: 978-8120326620 | Publication Date: August 11, 2004

Deploy and manage Microsoft Windows XP and Microsoft Office 2003 Editions with expertise from well-known Windows authority Jerry Honeycutt. This official RESOURCE KIT packs the in-depth information you need to determine the best deployment path for your organization; prepare and test for deployment; automate, customize, and distribute installations; and manage and support your deployment. You also get timesaving scripts, worksheets, and a searchable eBook on CD—everything you need to help maximize the performance and reliability of your business desktops and help reduce ownership and support costs.

Get in-depth guidance on how to:

• Apply best practices for deployment planning
• Identify and resolve migration and application compatibility issues
• Configure user settings, build distribution points, and “chain” installations
• Plan for and migrate users’ existing data and settings
• Create disk images and deploy them using third-party tools
• Use Remote Installation Services (RIS) to support clean installations
• Help automate deployment with Systems Management Server (SMS)
• Deploy critical security and feature updates with Microsoft Software Update Services (SUS)
• Provide multilingual compatibility and enable support for mobile users
• Automate desktop deployment and management tasks with batch scripts

CD includes:

• Scripts, worksheets, white papers, and an eBook.

Get scripts to:

• Configure data
• Copy device drivers
• Join domains
• List applications
• Run installations
• Migrate users
• and more

Plus worksheets for:

Application compatibility and testing

• Disk imaging
• Distribution methods and shares
• Dynamic updates
• Master configuration
• RIS planning, deployment, testing
• Windows XP Group Policy
• and more

A Note Regarding the CD or DVD

The print version of this book ships with a CD or DVD. For those customers purchasing one of the digital formats in which this book is available, we are pleased to offer the CD/DVD content as a free download via O'Reilly Media's Digital Distribution services. To download this content, please visit O'Reilly's web site, search for the title of this book to find its catalog page, and click on the link below the cover image (Examples, Companion Content, or Practice Files). Note that while we provide as much of the media content as we are able via free download, we are sometimes limited by licensing restrictions. Please direct any questions or concerns to [e-mail].

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Best-selling author Jerry Honeycutt has written more than 25 books, including Introducing Microsoft Windows Server™ 2003 (Microsoft Press, 2003) and Microsoft Windows XP Registry Guide (Microsoft Press, 2002).When he’s not writing, he tours cities worldwide to teach IT professionals how to deploy the business desktop, helping businesses both large and small deploy Windows XP and Office XP. Jerry is a frequent speaker at events such as COMDEX, Developer Days, and the Microsoft Exchange Conference.

Product Details

• Paperback: 918 pages
• Publisher: Microsoft Press (August 11, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0735618984
• ISBN-13: 978-8120326620
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.1 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,026,847 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Still good - years later, January 18, 2006

By 

Jase T. Wolfe - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Microsoft® Windows® Desktop Deployment Resource Kit (Pro-Resource Kit) (Paperback)

I write this review partially evaluating the information it contains, but also how it has held up over time. This book came out in late 2003 and it is now early 2006. A successor to Windows XP is already known, but that doesn't mean that Windows XP is on the way out or that companies will not just now be deploying that OS either for the first time, or redeploying as a refresh to encompass service packs, hotfixes and larger updated application suites, such as Microsoft Office. In short, a competent title covering the deployment of XP is still needed.

In short, everything you need to know about preparing Windows XP for deployment using the Microsoft approved and supported tools and methods is found inside. The authors cover in-depth the planning one should take within the environment to configure, deploy, and manage a desktop. You are instructed on the proper way to prepare the desktop for mass distribution, configure and run the utilities to ensure that the final OS image is not deployed duplicating network identification data, as well as running user state migration to transfer settings between builds. Distribution technologies, such as RIS and SMS are covered, although any commonly used third party utility, such as Symantec Ghost is not. There are also chapters dedicated to reviewing service pack and hotfix management, group policy management, as well as software updates (to Microsoft products, such as Microsoft Office 2003). And lastly, you are given a few different syntax guides to such things as SysPrep and Administrative Templates.

I believe, however, that this title could use a second edition. Even when it was released, some of the services covered were on their way out, and two years later, entire chapters of this book are now useless for many. For example, chapter 17 deals with distribution of XP via Microsoft SMS 2.0. Today, SMS 2003 is the standard and deployment of desktops and servers can be done using a feature pack. As the bulk of the Windows XP preparation has not changed, adding the SMS 2003 information would add a great deal of value. This book also talks about using Windows PE as a management OS for deployment. In 2003, WinPE was not available to many (and is still not, although that availability is on the rise and this book does point you to WinPE alternatives), although it is included and licensed in SMS 2003. The current WinPE section is still very informative, but a refresh overview to cover the changes in the more widely available version would be nice. The different service packs released for Windows XP also bring about new components of the OS as well as new generations of deployment tools, such as SysPrep. Again, although the current information is still very useful, a second edition could cover those changes to the OS and tools.

All things considered, this is still an excellent title and for the most part is as relevant today as when it was released. Administrators looking for an informational source on configuring and packaging the OS itself will find great value here, whereas those looking for information on the deployment mechanisms may need additional books / material in addition to what is presented here, especially if you are not planning on using Microsoft technologies.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The right tool for Desktop Deployment, February 24, 2005

By 

Evonne Reams "manasseh" (Flagstaff, AZ) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Microsoft® Windows® Desktop Deployment Resource Kit (Pro-Resource Kit) (Paperback)

If you are planning a massive desktop deployment than this is book you should use. I had no previous experience in doing an unattended install and this book walked me through the entire process following the distribution sample provided in Chapter 7. Mr. Honeycutt has left no stone unturned. His book gives you in-depth technical information and tools to deploy and manage Microsoft Windows XP Desktop. With it, you get prescriptive guidance to help choose the best deployment method and tools for common scenarios; perform attended and unattended installations; automate the deployment process, control policy and profile settings for desktop operating systems and applications; automate deployments for Office and other programs; and more. The book comes with a CDROM containing extra documentation, tools, sample templates, and scripts. Just add your Windows XP I386 files and half the battle is done. This is a great book and well written. Thanks Jerry for writing something for my simple mind!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A valuable resource for anyone deploying Windows XP Pro!, August 2, 2004

By 

AJ Hemsey (Lake Worth, FL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Microsoft® Windows® Desktop Deployment Resource Kit (Pro-Resource Kit) (Paperback)

A valuable resource for anyone deploying XP and Office 2003, this book includes everything from deployment methodologies to image customization and maintenance. The included CD has all the scripts and customizations mentioned in the book. Having attended several M$ events on this very topic, Jerry Honeycutt really outshines M$, making his process the definitive resource guide for any Desktop Architect. Some of the information is available from M$ White Papers and other sources, but never before have they all been so well thought out and available in one location. The book also contains unique advice and techniques that you won't find anywhere else. You will learn techniques that you didn't know were possible. As an author, Jerry Honeycutt has a talent for being clear and concise when it comes to complex subject matter.