6.3 Action - MDT Deployment

The MDT Deployment bundle supports the deployment of the Windows operating system using Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (MDT). The supported version is Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (MDT) 2013 Update 1. The uploaded MDT content will be replicated to the selected Primary and Imaging Satellite Servers. Using this page you can upload 32-bit and 64-bit WIM images.

You can also refer an existing Preboot bundles with MDT action to use the WIM files already uploaded in the existing bundle.

Along with this, the MDT deployment can be automated using either CustomSettings.ini or BootStrap.ini or both based on requirements. By uploading these files you can skip some wizards to achieve Lite Touch Deployment to Zero Touch Deployment. Depending on requirements you can also add a new MDT Deployment action to the current bundle’s Preboot actions, edit an existing MDT Deployment, upload or edit an MDT setting script.

To select the MDT WIM image that has to be used in this imaging bundle, based on whether it is a 32-bit or 64-bit file, upload the WIM image in the relevant section of this page:

  • To upload the new image, in the Upload New MDT Images section, click the browse icon, and select and upload the new WIM image.

    NOTE:

    • To upload the image, ensure that Microsoft Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit (WADK) is installed on the device running ZENworks Control Center. You can download WADK from the Microsoft Download Center website.

    • Open the browser in the administrator mode or use it from the built-in administrator account.

    • Microsoft Edge is not supported.

    • Upload only Lite Touch WIM created using Microsoft Deployment Toolkit.

Depending on which dialog box you accessed, you can either add a new MDT Deployment action to the current bundle’s Preboot actions, or edit an existing MDT Deployment.

The Action - MDT Deployment dialog box provides the ability for the Windows operating system deployment using Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (MDT). The content will be replicated to the selected Primary and Imaging Satellite Servers.

The zman betf and zman bc commands are not supported for MDT Deployment bundles and for Preboot bundles containing an MDT Deployment Action.

IMPORTANT:If you have created an MDT deployment bundle in 2017 Update 2 or an earlier version, and if you upload the MDT settings in 2017 Update 3 or a later version, then you need to upload the MDT image files for the configuration settings to take effect during MDT deployment.

6.3.1 Adding an MDT Deployment Action

  1. Specify the name of the action in the Action Name field.

  2. Based on whether you want to upload a 32-bit or 64-bit file, upload the MDT WIM image from the relevant section of the page:

    • To upload a new image, in the Upload New MDT Images section, click the browse icon, and select and upload the new WIM image.

      NOTE:

      • To upload the image, ensure that Microsoft Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit (WADK) is installed on the device running ZENworks Control Center. You can download WADK from the Microsoft Download Center website.

      • Open the browser in the administrator mode or use it from the built-in administrator account.

      • Microsoft Edge is not supported.

      • Upload only Lite Touch WIM created using Microsoft Deployment Toolkit.

  3. Use an existing MDT bundle: Use this option, if you want to use the WIMs already uploaded in an existing bundle.

    Select the Use an existing MDT bundle option, click , and then select an existing bundle.

    NOTE:While browsing for a bundle:

    • Only published preboot bundles with MDT actions are displayed.

    • If a bundle refers to an existing MDT bundle, then that bundle is not displayed.

  4. (Optional) If the selected bundle has MDT settings and to use the same MDT settings from the bundle, select Use the MDT settings from this bundle.

    NOTE:

    • Use an existing MDT bundle is disabled if the bundle is already being referred to by another bundle.

    • If the referred bundle does not include any MDT settings, then Use the MDT settings from this bundle is disabled.

    • The Upload MDT settings section is disabled, if you select the Use the MDT settings from this bundle check box.

    • When a bundle is referring to an existing MDT bundle, only the latest published content of the existing MDT bundle is used.

  5. Upload an MDT Settings File.

    1. Select the Upload MDT settings check-box.

    2. After selecting the check-box, click the browse icon adjutant to the setting that you want to upload.

      You can upload BootStrap.ini, CustomSettings.ini, or both settings.

    3. Click Browse, and select the required file.

      Ensure that you upload the INI file in their respective fields.

    NOTE:

    • If you clear the Upload MDT Settings check-box, the uploaded MDT settings will be cleared and you should re-upload the settings files.

    • To remove an MDT Settings file, click the button, and click OK.

  6. Click OK to create the new MDT Deployment action.

    Preboot bundle can contain only one MDT Deployment action.

6.3.2 Editing an MDT Deployment Action

  1. In the Action Name field, edit the existing name as needed.

  2. To upload a new image, in the Upload a New MDT Image section, click the browse icon, and select and upload the new WIM image.

  3. Click the button adjutant to the uploaded MDT settings file. Make necessary changes, and then click Save.

  4. Click OK to save the changes.

For information on the replication behavior for the MDT Deployment Action, see Section 3.8.1, Content Replication for MDT Deployment Action.