Ensure that sufficient space is available for storing the operating system images, language packs, and device drivers used in the Deployment Workbench. You store these images in the MDT deployment shares created in the Deployment Workbench.

Determine the storage requirements for each of the following items in the deployment share:

·     Windows operating system

·     Operating system language pack

·     Device drivers

·     Applications

Determine the size of each image and the number of images required in the deployment. Create a unique image for each:

·     Version of the Windows operating system to be deployed. A separate image is required for each version of Windows, such as Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2003 R2, Windows Server 2008, or Windows Server 2008 R2.

·     Edition of the Windows operating system to be deployed. A separate image is required for each edition of Windows, such as Tablet PC, Ultimate, Business, Enterprise, or Datacenter.

·     Processor type. A separate image is required for 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows.

·     Hardware abstraction layer (HAL) type for Windows XP or Windows Server 2003 target operating systems. When the target operating system is Windows XP or Windows Server 2003, each image is unique for the HAL. For Windows Vista and later client operating systems, the HAL is dynamically identified at startup.

Current computer hardware typically has of the following Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI) HAL types:

·     Advanced ACPI

·     UniProc ACPI

·     MultiProc ACPI

You can create one Windows XP or Windows Server 2003 image that includes both the UniProc ACPI and MultiProc HAL types. However, you will need to create separate images for computers with the Advanced ACPI HAL type. Most server computers have the MultiProc HAL type.

·     Each localized operating system language version required. For Windows XP and Windows Server 2003, you may have a separate image for each localized version of Windows, such as Chinese simplified or Japanese. A localized version of Windows contains only that language. Instead of using localized versions for Windows XP and Windows Server 2003, however, you can use an English version of Windows with Windows Multilingual User Interface (MUI) packs for each language to be supported. The MUI versions provide more flexibility, but the localized versions generally provided better support for the local languages.

For Windows Vista and later operating systems, the operating system core is language neutral, and you add one or more language packs to the operating system core.

Related Topics

Estimating MDT Storage Requirements