Migrating to Windows Vista

Virtual Classroom e-Learning

Who Needs to Attend

Enterprise support staff responsible for building, maintaining, and deploying Windows Vista and client operating systems in a networked environment.

Prerequisites

Knowledge of Windows 2003 or Windows 2000/XP Professional.

Microsoft Windows Server 2003

Follow-On Courses

There are no follow-ons for this course.

Explore and test the features of Windows Vista in a networked environment.

This course is not currently offered by Global Knowledge. Information here is provided for reference only.

As Microsoft rolls out major client and server operating systems in 2007, it's important to understand the potential benefits and costs of migrating to Vista and, later, to Longhorn Server. In this course, you'll get an overview of Vista and some of the key Vista/Longhorn synergies. Examine building a test environment using Microsoft's latest virtual machine technology, and explore the new imaging tools as well as the new deployment service, WDS.

In this intensive, lab-driven course, you'll get the knowledge you need to make informed decisions about your organization's move to Vista, including factors to consider when deciding to make the move, an accurate migration timetable, and a transition plan.

Course Outline

1. Migrating to Vista: The View from 30,000 Feet

Why is Vista Really Different?

Security
- Network Access Protection
- User Account Control
- Service Hardening
- IE7 Protected Mode
- TPM and BitLocker
Usability
- Improved Search
- Speech Recognition
- Help System
- Improved Wireless
- Workgroup Features
Manageability
- Imaging
- Device Control
- Power Settings
- Diagnostics
- Disaster Recovery
Trade-offs
- Size & Cost
- Training & Support
- Why Can't Vista Features be Retrofitted to XP?
Deployment Changes
- Deployment Tools Overview
- Windows System Image Manager
- Win PE
- Windows Deployment Services
Vista Versions for Corporations
- Business
- Enterprise
- Ultimate
Hardware Minimums for 32/64-bit Vista
- RAM, Hard Drive, CPU, and GPU Minimums
Install vs. Upgrade
- 32-bit Upgrade or Install
- 64-bit Installs and Issues
Transfer Tools
- Windows Easy Transfer
- User State Migration Tool 3.0
- Understanding XML Formatting

2. Building a Virtual Test Bed

What is Virtual?
- Hardware Virtualization
- Software Virtualization
Pros and Cons of Virtual Machines
Microsoft Virtual Server 2005 Features
- Creating Virtual Machines
- Creating Virtual Networks
- Creating Virtual Disks
- Using Undo Disks
- Using Differencing Disks
- Compacting Virtual Hard Drives
- Editing VMC Control Files
Other Virtual Machine Products
- Microsoft Virtual PC 2007
- VMWare Workstation 5.X
- VMWare Server

3. Using Win PE 2.0

What is Win PE?
Win PE Versions
Win PE Features: Plug and Play Support, Network Support, Imaging Tools, Adding Language Packs
Booting with a WIM Image
Using the Windows Recovery Environment
Tools for Building Win PE
Win PE Tools used for Deployment: bcdedit, diskpart, drvload, Oscdimg, etc.

4. Vista Imaging Tools

Using ImageX: Working with WIM Images
ImageX Command-Line Syntax:
/capture, /config, /compress, /append, /info, and /apply
Windows System Image Manager: Creating Catalog Files, Distribution Shares, and Answer Files
Sysprep Syntax and Usage

5. Windows Deployment Services

What is Windows Deployment Services
Server Functionality Modes for WDS: Legacy, Mixed, and Native Mode
Installing and Configuring Windows Deployment Services
Using WDSUTIL from the Command Line
PXE Booting Clients to Install Windows Vista
Configuring the Boot Menu
Creating Images using Windows Deployment Services Client
Understanding Capture, Install, and Discover Images
Using Unattend.xml Files with Windows Deployment Services

6. Evolution of Security Policy

Network Access Protection
- Types of NAP
- Client and Server Components
- Building a Network Policy Server
- System Health Policies
Group Policy
- Central Template Store
- Multiple Local Policy Objects
- New Vista-Only Group Policies
- New Vista and XP Group Policies
- Managing the Transition