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Mass Computer Image Software Suggestions Needed


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The business has about 50 Windows computers and the IT manager would like to start imaging the hard drives for quicker restores if needed. The computers are mostly all Dell OptiPlex computers, but differ in models, but most are the same model. I would rather not buy 50 licenses for a software either.

 

What would you guys recommend on reliably imaging for successful restores? I've used one software that restored through the network, which was nice, but I don't recall what it was and we always had to modify the MBR which was a pain.

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You aren't finding it...while you can deploy...you have to take an initial image...it doesn't pop on the server magically or through osmosis.

 


To create an install image, you must first create a capture image. Capture images are boot images that you boot a client computer into to capture the operating system into a .wim file. You can also create media (a CD, DVD, USB drive, or other type of media) that contains a capture image, and then boot a computer from the media. These images provide an alternative to the command-line utility, ImageX.exe. Except in advanced scenarios, you can create a capture image by using the Boot.wim file from the Windows installation media.

To create an install image, you must first create a capture image. Capture images are boot images that you boot a client computer into to capture the operating system into a .wim file. You can also create media (a CD, DVD, USB drive, or other type of media) that contains a capture image, and then boot a computer from the media. These images provide an alternative to the command-line utility, ImageX.exe. Except in advanced scenarios, you can create a capture image by using the Boot.wim file from the Windows installation media.

 
  1. In the Windows Deployment Services MMC snap-in, expand the Boot Images node.

  2. Right-click the image to use it as a capture image. In most cases, you can just use the Boot.wim file from the installation media.

  3. Click Create Capture Image.

  4. Type in your Image Name, Image Description, and the location and file name where you want to save a local copy of the file. You must specify a location in case there is a problem with the network when you deploy the capture image. Click Next.

  5. Allow the Create Capture Image Wizard to complete.

  6. Tick Add Image to the Windows Deployment Server now. Click Next

  7. Enter the location of the Windows Image file that contains the images. Click Next.

  8. Enter your Image Name and Image Description. Click Next.

  9. On the Summary page, click Next.

  10. Click Finish

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You have WDS from microsoft which is free so long as you have a windows server

 

You have acronis which is not free but can image from the network

 

You can purchase a backup device from unitrends, which will do on the fly baremetal backups and restores

 

You can purchase backup exec and all of the options to be able to do a baremetal backup and be able to do it on the fly (similar to unitrends)

 

You can purchase ghost and do all of this as well

 

 

The way that I would go, WDS or acronis.  Possibly consider the unitrends appliance depending on budget (unlimited computers, their license model is based on available space.  You can archive off as much as you want to usb, tape, a network share, or the cloud).  Acronis, ghost, and backup exec are all based on how many computers. 

 

wds - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_Deployment_Services

wds deployment guide - http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/jj648426.aspx

acronis - http://www.acronis.com/en-us/?adpos=1t1&device=c&network=g&matchtype=e&creative=42132301817&gclid=CIHf2dPGu8ECFfLm7AodwCoAUA

unitrends - http://www.unitrends.com/

ghost - http://www.symantec.com/themes/theme.jsp?themeid=ghost

backupexec - http://www.symantec.com/products/data-backup-software

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sc302, on 20 Oct 2014 - 09:29, said:

 

Sc302, thanks for the quick response; wow!

 

The IT manager is very price conscious (even called cheap) so an appliance would most likely be out. If WDS is free that or Acronis may be worth checking out.

 

How difficult is WDS to use for a smaller office like ours (50 computers)?

Also, which Acronis product are you referring to?

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Yep, basically a knock off acronis.  Same interface, at least it was. 

 

 

If you are going to just backup computers, you can get acronis backup for PC. 

http://www.acronis.com/en-us/business/backup/workstation/

(89.00 per computer)

 

Easeus todo backup is 39.00 per computer. 

 

 

WDS is going to be your best bet, I think. 

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Just to be clear, the IT manager wants us to image the hard drive. So I would configure Windows and install software and such and then image the drive so if any of the computers get corrupt or a bad virus or whatever, we can reimage the hard drive instead of troubleshooting the issues.

 

I'm looking at WDS, but so far all I can find out about it is deploying Windows installs with answer files and not pre-built images with software already installed. Maybe I am just not finding it.

 

Sorry for being a pain.  :/

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Sounds good, sc302, I really appreciate your help. I will suggest Acronis and WDS to the IT Manager and we will discuss from there. You have been most helpful.

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