Suggested Methods for Windows Migration Configuration

[BzowK]

Good Morning!

 

I'm in the beginning stages of setting up the migration of 25,000 workstations from Win XP to Win 7 scattered amongst 56 sites - yikes!

 

While in the initial design and testing phase, I decided to post my challenges and solutions to see if anyone may have a better method to use for any of them. I want to make things go as smoothly as possible, so am open to suggestions.

 

Below are the items of the migration I'm asking for suggestions on and my current plan for each:

 

Migrate User Data

I've installed the State Migration Point - but - instead of the OEM 3 capture and 3 restore steps, I am testing using USMT with paths set via UNC & variables as described in Chris Nackers' post here.

 

I chose this over the native method as it seemed popular, a more effeceint solution, plus wouldn't require creating computer associations.

 

Has anyone used this method, have thoughts, or alternative suggestions?

 

Application Detection & Reinstallation

I have suggested perhaps scripting a way for the task sequence to detect which applications the original OS had and automatically deploy any packages/applications which matched them per system. They didn't want to do this for all applications due to many systems having apps they didn't use and they wanted to save on licensing.

 

Therefore, here's what I'd like to do in the task sequence:

- Make it all ZTI except for a singe UDI page which is the original "Install Applications" page template. It would list a applications and someone could just select what they wanted then click Next. I've successfully used that UDI page before, but even though an easy solution, would be a lot when multiplied by 25,000

 

If there are still some that I'd like to install (if previously installed in XP), what is the best method to do so? Scripts to gather inventory at beginning of task sequence or reference previously gathered inventory?

 

Also, as stated above, I've used the "Install Application" UDI page. An issue is that many of the application installations are really in-depth and are performed by task sequences. Any suggestions on best way to possible add a task sequence app installation to this UDI page as an option?

 

Think that's about it. Any suggestions are welcome - Thanks!

[anyweb]

hey Ben, take a look at the CM12 BitLocker frontend HTA it does User data migration (and a whole lot more) in an easy way, the techs pxe boot, make their choices in the hta and sit back while everything gets installed.

 

even if you are not using bitlocker it might give you some ideas,

 

• CM12 in a Lab -The CM12 BitLocker FrontEnd HTA - video
• CM12 in a Lab - The CM12 BitLocker FrontEnd HTA

as regards application installation we have migrated 1000's of computers from XP to 7 using dynamic application detection (basically using a webservice to see what ADSG a user is in and those groups are of course tied to applications, so if the user is in that group they get the app installed during the ts, dynamically). The link below shows a similar method (although not using a webservice) to do dynamic application installation.

 

• How can I install multiple applications based on Active Directory Security Group membership in a Task Sequence - Dynamic application Installation

[BzowK]

Thanks Niall!

 

Got a couple of questions about the Dynamic Application Detection, though...

 

I looked over the link you sent me and it seems as though the environment has a security group per application. You may then configure a task sequence to install applications / run steps based on a condition that the user / system is in that specific AD group.

 

My problem is that we don't have any groups like this currently. We could set them up manually, but I've got 25,000+ systems @ 56 sites to do this with which would be a heck of a task. So...

 

1. Do you know of a way to create these AD groups via script or task sequence?

2. I had an idea for how to do this easily (i hope) - please tell me what you think about the task sequence snippet below. If it works in theory, do you know of any other options which may do the same / similar operation, but are better to use?

 

Dynamic Application Detection via Variables (steps below to start at very beginning of TS - even before Capture - and using 2 apps for example)

1. Step Title: Set Variable Adobe Acrobat / Condition: If (browse to adobe acrobat executable) exists / Set Variable "Acrobat" to "True"

2. Step Title: Set Variable Custom Hospital Application / Condition: If (browse to app's executable) exists / Set Variable "CustomHospital" to "True"

After settings above for each app, run capture and apply new os steps

3. Step Title: Install Adobe Acrobat / Condition: If variable "Acrobat" equals "True"

4. Step Title: Install Custom Hospital Application / Condition: If variable "CustomHospital" equals "True"

… and so on for rest of apps which have variables defined. After this, perform the Restore operations

 

I highly value your opinion so please tell me your thoughts - Thanks!