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Effortless Windows Server VM Deployment with Microsoft Deployment Toolkit 2013

Deploying Windows Server VMs with Microsoft Deployment Toolkit 2013 – Part I

In this series of articles, we will explore how to deploy Windows Server virtual machines (VMs) using Microsoft Deployment Toolkit 2013 (MDT 2013). In this first article, we will cover the basic installation and configuration of MDT 2013, Windows Deployment Services (WDS), and Assessment and Deployment Kit (ADK) for Windows 8.1.

What is MDT 2013?

MDT 2013 is a powerful tool that allows you to automate the deployment of Windows OS and applications to clients and servers. It supports deployment of Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Server 2012, and Windows Server 2012 R2. MDT 2013 uses image files that contain everything you need to install a Windows OS on a target computer, including unattended setup files and drivers.

MDT 2013 creates custom Windows Preinstallation Environment (Windows PE) images that are used to install the image onto the target computer. The Windows PE image can be booted using USB, CD/DVD, or WDS. You can run MDT 2013 standalone or with System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM).

Why Use MDT 2013?

There are several reasons why you might choose to use MDT 2013 for deploying Windows Server VMs:

1. Flexibility: MDT 2013 supports deployment of a wide range of Windows OS versions, allowing you to deploy the correct version of the OS for your specific needs.

2. Automation: MDT 2013 allows you to automate the deployment process, making it easier and faster to deploy Windows Server VMs.

3. Customization: MDT 2013 allows you to customize the deployment process to fit your specific needs, including adding drivers and applications.

4. Integration: MDT 2013 can be integrated with other Microsoft tools, such as SCCM, to provide a comprehensive deployment solution.

Getting Started with MDT 2013

To get started with MDT 2013, you will need to have the following components installed:

1. WDS: This is used to deploy the Windows OS image to the target computer.

2. MDT 2013: This is the tool that allows you to automate the deployment process.

3. ADK for Windows 8.1: This is used to create the Windows PE image that is deployed to the target computer.

Installing WDS and MDT 2013

To install WDS and MDT 2013, follow these steps:

1. Download the WDS and MDT 2013 installation media from the Microsoft website.

2. Insert the USB drive or DVD into your computer.

3. Boot your computer using the USB drive or DVD.

4. Select your language and other options as prompted, and then click “Next” to continue.

5. Select “Install WDS” and “Install MDT 2013” to install these components.

6. Follow the prompts to complete the installation.

Installing ADK for Windows 8.1

To install ADK for Windows 8.1, follow these steps:

1. Download the ADK for Windows 8.1 installation media from the Microsoft website.

2. Insert the USB drive or DVD into your computer.

3. Boot your computer using the USB drive or DVD.

4. Select your language and other options as prompted, and then click “Next” to continue.

5. Select “Install ADK for Windows 8.1” to install this component.

6. Follow the prompts to complete the installation.

In the next article of this series, we will cover how to configure MDT 2013, import the necessary drivers and OS images, and deploy a Windows 2008 R2 server with VMware Tools. Stay tuned!