Book Overview

Overview...

Contents

The second part of the book explores management and maintenance of the desktop once Windows 2000 is installed in the enterprise. This involves the use of technologies such as group policy objects (GPOs), IntelliMirror (Software Installation and Maintenance, User Settings Management, and User Data Management), and securing the workstation.

The third part of the book contains the appendixes and the glossary. The appendixes contain frequently needed references for use when developing deployment and management processes. The glossary includes definitions of terms and technologies referenced in this book as they apply to Windows 2000 deployment, customization, and management.

Part I: Deploying Windows 2000 Professional in the Enterprise

Chapter 1, Why Upgrade?
- This chapter discusses some of the basic reasons, both business and technical, for moving your environment to Windows 2000. This chapter also contains some brief introductory material on the various flavors and features of Windows 2000, including a high-level comparison of some of the major differences between the various Microsoft operating systems.
Chapter 2, Setting the Standards
- This chapter looks at one of the most-often-overlooked first steps of deployment and management strategies: evaluating your existing environment and planning your standards for going forward. This chapter discusses setting up your deployment team, reviewing your current standards, upgrading clients versus clean installs, and the development of a standardized desktop.
Chapter 3, Deployment Options
- This chapter introduces the various solutions available for the deployment of Windows 2000 Professional. Technologies discussed include distribution share points, Remote Installation Services, system cloning with SYSPREP, using the Windows 2000 Professional CD-ROM, and integrating installation with Microsoft's SMS 2.0 (Systems Management Server).
Chapter 4, Answer Files and the Setup Manager Wizard
- This chapter provides an in-depth look at building and using unattended answer files for installing and upgrading Windows 2000. The chapter also looks at some Resource Kit utilities that can assist you in the creation and maintenance of unattended answer files.
Chapter 5, Remote Installation Services (RIS)
- This chapter explores in detail the use of Remote Installation Services, included with Windows 2000 Server, in deploying your Windows 2000 Professional environment. Architectural requirements, the workstation image-development process, and the install procedures are among the main topics covered in this chapter.

Part II: Managing and Maintaining the Desktop

Chapter 6, Group Policy Objects
- This chapter describes the development and implementation of group policy objects as a tool for managing your corporate environment. This chapter also looks at script events for logon, logoff, startup, and shutdown.
Chapter 7, IntelliMirror
- This chapter presents an overview of the IntelliMirror technology suite, from introduction to implementation and integration of the various technologies that comprise IntelliMirror. IntelliMirror technologies include the Windows 2000 Software Installation and Maintenance component, User Data Management, and User Settings Management.
Chapter 8, Application Management and Software Installation
- This chapter takes a more in-depth look at the Software Installation and Maintenance component of the IntelliMirror technology suite. Major sections in this chapter include setting up the server for the Software Installation and Maintenance component, preparing applications, installing and managing applications, automatic application repair features, and integrated protection from the administrative nightmare commonly referred to as "DLL hell."
Chapter 9, Desktop Security
- This chapter examines the integration of technologies described in this book that will ultimately enable you to secure your systems and lock down your users' desktops. The chapter explores the Windows 2000 security toolset, including the Security Configuration and Analysis snap-in, Security Templates, and the SECEDIT command-line tool. In addition, I provide some reasons why you might want to lock down desktops, as well as what issues to consider when profiling users.

Part III: Appendixes

Appendix A, Common File Extensions
- This appendix provides an alphabetic listing of a large number of file extensions and their descriptions. This information is intended for use in determining which files to back up during a data migration process. Information in this appendix is reprinted with permission of whatis.com Inc. (http://whatis.com) from their online feature, "Every file format in the world." Updates can be found at http://whatis.com.
Appendix B, Complete Answer File Syntax
- This appendix contains a complete listing of available sections, keys, and data values for use with unattended install answer files. This information applies to SYSPREP, Remote Installation Services, distribution share points, and CD-based installation automation processes.
Appendix C, Sample Answer Files
- This appendix contains four different types of sample answer files (with comments).