The scoop on Microsoft Deployment features

New Features in Microsoft Deployment

Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager 2007 support, with the following features:
• Full support for Windows Vista, Windows XP, and Windows Server 2003 deployments with Microsoft Deployment and Configuration Manager 2007.
• Complete integration into the Configuration Manager 2007 admin console and task sequencing capabilities.
o Quick start Configuration Manager 2007 operating system deployments using one wizard to create needed task sequences and packages.
o Extension of the Configuration Manager 2007 task sequencing capabilities with new actions.
• Feature parity with BDD 2007 and SMS 2003, including dynamic package installation, automatic determination of state store location, computer backup, and database settings.
• Installation support for computers unknown to the Configuration Manager 2007 database
• Added support for offline patching
• Support for offline and online language pack installation
• Deployment monitoring:
o Updated Management Pack for System Center Operations Manager 2007

Lite Touch Installation (LTI) support for Windows Server 2008:
• Support for deploying Windows Server 2008 Beta 3 and potentially RC1 (to be verified after RC1 release), including support for Server Core installation options.
• Automated server role definition using Server Manager

Lite Touch Installation (LTI) enhancements:
• Enhanced disk and network interface cards (NICs) configuration options, including support for static TCP/IP configuration.
• Design changes to ease the migration from LTI to Configuration Manager 2007.
• Support for multiple task sequence templates. New sample templates include:
o Client template: Windows Vista, Windows XP
o Server template: Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2008
o Replace scenario template
• Ability to invoke web service calls
o Support for web service calls from rules
o Web services can be invoked as part of the rules processing performed by Microsoft Deployment, using new rules that can be defined in CustomSettings.ini.
• Support for BDD 2007 upgrade or side-by-side installation with Microsoft Deployment.
Lite Touch Installation (LTI) multicast support:
• Deployment Workbench supports multicast transmission of operating system images when performing LTI deployments from Windows Server 2008 servers that are running Windows Deployment Services.

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