RE: [ActiveDir] OT (kinda): Standard Desktop Build

2006-06-16 Thread neil.ruston
I'd suggest that the base build be just that. i.e. the OS, a SP and
perhaps some hotfixes but nothing else. 

All other settings should be deployed via a separate layer(s) - e.g.
GPO.

All apps should be deployed via a separate layer(s) - e.g. SMS

You may need additional layers, depending upon your org and
requirements.

The above approach means that 'the build' can be managed separately to
the other layers and hence will rarely need to be altered or maintained
(the odd h/w driver may need to be added, SP and/or hotfix).

The 'layers' to which I refer can then also be managed independently,
without having to touch 'the build'. This leaves more time to focus on
the ways to actually deploy the build rather than the contents of the
build itself.

My 2 penneth.

neil

-Original Message-
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of AdamT
Sent: 15 June 2006 18:30
To: ActiveDir@mail.activedir.org
Subject: [ActiveDir] OT (kinda): Standard Desktop Build

Dear all,

What's in your standard desktop build?

We're looking at getting another 1,000 machines or so and coming up with
a new standard build for XP.

Apart from some of the obvious 'lockdown' changes, what else do you add
or modify in your standard desktop images?

Do you allow anyone access to the 'Power Users' group, and if so - do
you change the ACLs on any of the processes that run as LocalSystem?
Any funky utilities from technet or research.microsoft.com that are
worth playing with?

Any ideas appreciated,

--
AdamT
A casual stroll through the lunatic asylum shows that faith does not
prove anything. - Nietzsche
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RE: [ActiveDir] OT (kinda): Standard Desktop Build

2006-06-16 Thread Molkentin, Steve
Neil,

That's a great idea - the same one we use here. 

Instead then of the 'SOE' thought that is usual, we call it our 'SAL' -
standard application load. The machine is built as an OS, patches and
SP's (out of the box), and WSUS looks after all that after the fact, our
SAL is (in our case) GPO loaded, plus additional settings by GPO.

I think this is a great way to approach building your machines, as it
certainly layers it, you can spread the responsibility pretty easily if
that's what you want to do, and troubleshooting issues/rebuilding
becomes a breeze!

themolk.
 

 -Original Message-
 From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] 
 [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of 
 [EMAIL PROTECTED]
 Sent: Friday, 16 June 2006 5:35 PM
 To: ActiveDir@mail.activedir.org
 Subject: RE: [ActiveDir] OT (kinda): Standard Desktop Build
 
 I'd suggest that the base build be just that. i.e. the OS, a SP and
 perhaps some hotfixes but nothing else. 
 
 All other settings should be deployed via a separate layer(s) - e.g.
 GPO.
 
 All apps should be deployed via a separate layer(s) - e.g. SMS
 
 You may need additional layers, depending upon your org and
 requirements.
 
 The above approach means that 'the build' can be managed separately to
 the other layers and hence will rarely need to be altered or 
 maintained
 (the odd h/w driver may need to be added, SP and/or hotfix).
 
 The 'layers' to which I refer can then also be managed independently,
 without having to touch 'the build'. This leaves more time to focus on
 the ways to actually deploy the build rather than the contents of the
 build itself.
 
 My 2 penneth.
 
 neil
 
 -Original Message-
 From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
 [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of AdamT
 Sent: 15 June 2006 18:30
 To: ActiveDir@mail.activedir.org
 Subject: [ActiveDir] OT (kinda): Standard Desktop Build
 
 Dear all,
 
 What's in your standard desktop build?
 
 We're looking at getting another 1,000 machines or so and 
 coming up with
 a new standard build for XP.
 
 Apart from some of the obvious 'lockdown' changes, what else 
 do you add
 or modify in your standard desktop images?
 
 Do you allow anyone access to the 'Power Users' group, and if so - do
 you change the ACLs on any of the processes that run as LocalSystem?
 Any funky utilities from technet or research.microsoft.com that are
 worth playing with?
 
 Any ideas appreciated,
 
 --
 AdamT
 A casual stroll through the lunatic asylum shows that faith does not
 prove anything. - Nietzsche
 List info   : http://www.activedir.org/List.aspx
 List FAQ: http://www.activedir.org/ListFAQ.aspx
 List archive: http://www.activedir.org/ml/threads.aspx
 
 
 
 PLEASE READ: The information contained in this email is 
 confidential and
 intended for the named recipient(s) only. If you are not an intended
 recipient of this email please notify the sender immediately 
 and delete your
 copy from your system. You must not copy, distribute or take 
 any further
 action in reliance on it. Email is not a secure method of 
 communication and
 Nomura International plc ('NIplc') will not, to the extent 
 permitted by law,
 accept responsibility or liability for (a) the accuracy or 
 completeness of,
 or (b) the presence of any virus, worm or similar malicious 
 or disabling
 code in, this message or any attachment(s) to it. If 
 verification of this
 email is sought then please request a hard copy. Unless 
 otherwise stated
 this email: (1) is not, and should not be treated or relied upon as,
 investment research; (2) contains views or opinions that are 
 solely those of
 the author and do not necessarily represent those of NIplc; 
 (3) is intended
 for informational purposes only and is not a recommendation, 
 solicitation or
 offer to buy or sell securities or related financial 
 instruments.  NIplc
 does not provide investment services to private customers.  
 Authorised and
 regulated by the Financial Services Authority.  Registered in England
 no. 1550505 VAT No. 447 2492 35.  Registered Office: 1 St 
 Martin's-le-Grand,
 London, EC1A 4NP.  A member of the Nomura group of companies.
 
 List info   : http://www.activedir.org/List.aspx
 List FAQ: http://www.activedir.org/ListFAQ.aspx
 List archive: http://www.activedir.org/ml/threads.aspx
 
List info   : http://www.activedir.org/List.aspx
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[ActiveDir] OT (kinda): Standard Desktop Build

2006-06-15 Thread AdamT

Dear all,

What's in your standard desktop build?

We're looking at getting another 1,000 machines or so and coming up
with a new standard build for XP.

Apart from some of the obvious 'lockdown' changes, what else do you
add or modify in your standard desktop images?

Do you allow anyone access to the 'Power Users' group, and if so - do
you change the ACLs on any of the processes that run as LocalSystem?
Any funky utilities from technet or research.microsoft.com that are
worth playing with?

Any ideas appreciated,

--
AdamT
A casual stroll through the lunatic asylum shows that faith does not
prove anything. - Nietzsche
List info   : http://www.activedir.org/List.aspx
List FAQ: http://www.activedir.org/ListFAQ.aspx
List archive: http://www.activedir.org/ml/threads.aspx


Re: [ActiveDir] OT (kinda): Standard Desktop Build

2006-06-15 Thread RM

On Thu, 15 Jun 2006 18:30:22 +0100, AdamT [EMAIL PROTECTED] said:

What's in your standard desktop build?

The lowest common denominator software that everyone needs.

There seems to be two schools of thought for desktop deployment:
Image-based deployment and script-based deployment.  Lately, I've taken
a hybrid approach -- Using an image with about 60% of the standard
software load plus a large install script kicked-off via GuiRunOnce. 
This script detects the PC model and branches accordingly (touchpad
drivers/VPN/iPass for laptops and etc).

The nice thing about the script approach is that I can update a software
version by simply replacing the setup files rather than having to
roll-up a new image.  OTOH, the image-based approach makes for faster
deployment.

RM



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