Desktop Image Server - Suggestions

[Sanatogen]

Hi,

I'm looking to plan and implement a solution for imaging PC's on the network no matter their hardware spec and function.

The company only has 250 desktops and is always looking for a cheap solution, but perhaps they can be persuaded that spending money now will save even more money in future.

I've already specced server hardware and organising of the storage into two arrays for the OS and all the images.

I was looking at some software for this:

What functionality is essential to make this smooth?

Possibilities:
BartPE – Free
GhostCast Server (Symantec)
Ghost Enterprise

I was thinking of storing an base image for each harware model and additional ones for whatever purpose it was intended.

Other considerations:
New Hardware
Ensure Drive Mappings are not affected.
AD Policies
Image List Naming


Is there any other considerations I should be thinking of? For the imaging process, all I'd like to do is Press F12 when the PC boots up so that PXE is in operation, type in a host name for the PC, select the image/purpose and off it goes.

What do folk have currently that works really well for them?

 

[58sniper]

RIS/WDS - built into Windows Server. Then deploy the apps with GPOs.

Free.

Pat Richard, MCSE MCSA:Messaging CNA
Microsoft Exchange MVP

 

[Sanatogen]

Hi,

I also found the following products:

ShadowProtect

http://www.storagecraft.com/products/ShadowProtectServer/

Altiris

http://juice.altiris.com/article/726/best-practices-for-standardized-desktop-images

As far as Hardware Independent Imaging goes, I wonder if these are better choices.

 

[porkchopexpress]

I'd second Pats suggestion RIS/WDS are built into Windows so you have no extra cost and they are very effective.

 

[Zelandakh]

And fast.

Altiris is expensive but does a good job. RIS (up to Server 2003) and WDS (R2 onwards) does at least as well.