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NIIT Lab@Home 1 EBDD

1. What are the different phases of the desktop deployment lifecycle? Explain each phase in detail.

The different phases of the desktop deployment life cycle are
1. Planning
2. Purchasing
3. Buiding
4. Deploying
5. Upgrading
6. Retiring

2. Harry is a System Administrator at Acme Inc. He needs to deploy the Windows 8 OS on 12 new desktops, which the company has bought for the new employees. However, he does not have the physical CD/DVD of the OS to perform the deployment. Instead, the source files of the OS are stored on a network server in the organization. Which desktop deployment method should Harry use to perform this task? Explain the method in detail, along with the other methods of performing desktop deployment.



The deployment method that can be used in this scenario is network share-based deployment method. This method uses a
network to share the source file of OS. Network share-based deployment is used in situations where the basic Local Area
Network (LAN) connectivity is available. This method is typically used in small organizations where simple workgroup-based
networks are available. However, this method can also be used in medium or large organizations.


The other methods of deployment are:

1. Media-based: This method uses media, such as CD and DVD, for deployment. Media-based deployment is suited for environments
                that do not have a centralized mechanism for deploying desktops, or the infrastructure of the organization is not
                suitable for other deployment methods. However, a media-based deployment can also be performed at different locations
                of a business enterprise where a mechanism for centralized desktop deployment does not exist.

2. Answer File-based: This method is used in environments where you need to deploy more than one OS at a time. Answer file-based deployment
                      can be performed in conjunction with the media-based and network share-based deployment methods. This method does not
                      require you to specify the inputs for the different OS settings manually at the time of installing OS.

3. Image-based: This method requires you to create an image of the OS by using an image creation tool and deploying the image on a target computer.
                This method is typically used in medium to large organizations.

4. Automated Image-based: This method is used to reduce the time for installing an OS and automating the OS image deployment process. Automated
                          image-based deployment requires dedicated imaging servers, such as System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM) server, to
                          create and deploy OS images. This method is typically used in large organizations because it requires high network
                          bandwidth and dedicated servers.

5. Windows To Go: Windows To Go is a feature of the Windows 8 Enterprise OS. The Windows To Go feature allows you to install the complete Windows 8 Enterprise OS
                  on a Universal Serial Bus (USB) storage device, and then run the OS right from the storage device. This allows users to carry the entire OS and
                  the applications installed on it in a storage device, enabling portability. Using the Windows To Go feature, the Windows 8 Enterprise OS can be
                  run on any desktop that supports running of the Windows 7 OS.

6. VDI: In VDI, an OS is deployed on virtual machines running on a server in the organization’s network. This means that the deployment needs to be performed
        only on a single machine, that is, the server. This minimizes the cost of deployment and reduces the maintenance-related overheads of the IT staff.


The different deployment levels are:
1. Basic
2. Standardized
3. Rationalized
4. Dynamic


1. Basic: The basic level signifies that the organization is retaining its IT functioning as a reactive strategy. This means that a change is introduced
          only when there is a problem. The systems in such an organization are generally incompatible with each other and are complex. In addition, these
          systems do not provide their services to the entire organization and are limited only to a small domain. The basic level organizations do not follow
          any standard or predefined policies. There are no formal procedures for desktop deployment, management, or security. Desktop deployment is usually done
          through media.

       # At this level, the organization does not maintain a standard approach of deploying desktops. The basic level can be identified by the following drawbacks:
       # It has a nonstandard desktop deployment method, which results in complex and tough management of desktops.
       # Patch management is never planned and is inconsistent. This increases the vulnerability of the desktops to security threats, such as virus and Trojan attacks.
       # Deploying or upgrading a new desktop is a manual process that is done with the help of CDs or DVDs.


2. Standardized: The standardized level signifies that the organization has a proactive strategy for its IT functioning. It has a centralized control over system resources.
                 The automation of system and processes is available, but at a basic level. This level is implemented through policies and standards to manage desktops and servers.
                 However, the systems are still expensive, incompatible, and complex. Usually, all software deployments and patch updates are done through a medium touch approach.
                 This type of desktop deployment is usually done through media or network shares.


3. Rationalized: The rationalized level signifies that the organization has a proactive strategy for its IT functioning. The IT policies are well-defined and enforced by different
                 processes and technologies. This level ensures the most cost-effective infrastructure state. It involves partial automation for deployment and engages centralized,
                 mission critical servers to deploy OS and applications in a well-managed and secure manner. The rationalized level ensures compatibility of existing applications with
                 the desktop on which the applications need to be deployed. It also ensures that the organization keeps a well-maintained inventory of OS and applications. In addition,
                 the rationalized level organizations support automatic software distribution on the newly deployed desktops.


4. Dynamic: The dynamic level signifies that the organization has a proactive strategy for its IT functioning. Such organizations prefer maximizing their business agilities, rather than
            saving cost. At this level, some of the decision-making processes are decentralized to bring decision-making closer to the business process. This level ensures highly automated
            and flexible systems.
         
            Desktop deployment, at this level, can also be done in a small or medium organization, but it is more appropriate for a large organization. The network infrastructure in a large
            organization is state-of-the-art, with all the latest technology implementations. A dynamic organization utilizes the latest technologies to maintain and synchronize the desktop
            deployment status throughout the network. The dynamic level ensures structured approach and defined processes for testing and validating the applications, updates, and patches in a network.

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