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4
ChAPTeR 1 Windows Server 2008 R2 Deployment Secrets
Read this chapter and you will also learn how to set up a USB ash drive to deploy
Windows Server 2008 R2 to individual servers far more quickly than using a DVD. You
learn how to modify the install image to include drivers and updates, so you don’t
have to install them as part of post-installation conguration, and you nd out how
to switch on certain features, so you don’t have to do it manually after the deploy-
ment is complete.
This chapter contains information you can use to get Windows Deployment Ser-
vices not only broadcasting images in WIM format, but also how to add VHD images to
the deployment server. You also learn about the types of situations where you’ll save
your organization time and money by using answer les and products like System
Center Conguration Manager.
Choosing an Edition of WindoWs sErvEr 2008 r2
You probably know that Windows Server 2008 R2 comes in a variety of avors, but
do you know the real differences between each edition? Though most systems admin-
istrators deal with only one or two editions of Windows Server 2008 R2 on a regular
basis, there are a total of seven editions available. Of course the more editions there
are, the greater the complexity in choosing the right one for a specic set of needs.
When most administrators see the number of editions that are available, they throw
up their hands and choose the Enterprise Edition. In general, choosing the Enter-
prise Edition of any Microsoft product is a reasonable strategy, because with it, you
have access to all the available features and won’t be caught unable to install some
unusual role like Federation Services. The downside of this strategy is that occasion-
ally you’ll spend more on a server operating system license than might actually be
necessary. In reality, understanding the differences between the editions comes
down to the following factors:
How many virtual licenses you want included with your OS so you can run 3
separate instances on the same machine.
Whether you need a specic feature or role, such as wanting to set up an 3
enterprise root certicate authority.
Whether you have a specic amount of RAM or number of processors that you 3
want to be able to support.
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