I will first start with the short and sweet version for those who don’t have the time to read through the detailed review.
Course Name: TrainSignal Windows 7 Deployment Training
Instructor: – Rhonda Layfield
(Setup and Deployment MVP, Desktop Deployment Product Specialist (DDPS), MCSE (2003, 2000 and NT))
Duration: 15hrs: 56mins: 5secs
No# of Videos: – 21
Prepares you for the MCTS 70-681 exam
My Rating: – 10 out of 10, a 100% recommended course for anyone who wants to master Windows 7 Deployment and pass the exam 70-681. It is probably, one of the best that has been shipped out of the TrainSignal Library.
Value for Money: Definitely worth the money you spend on this product. It would be an investment that you can reap a lot of interest on in future and make you a Deployment Champ if you follow the course followed by practicing the same in the lab.
Detailed Review
I had a huge set of expectations from this course as it’s been delivered by Rhonda Layfield who is a Deployment Guru, MVP and an accomplished Speaker/Consultant. I must say, I was not only amazed by the content and the depth covered in the course but also way, Rhonda has simplified tools like the Windows AIK which were often considered to be a hard nut to crack by most of the Deployment Consultants.
Here is the course outline:
Our View on TrainSignal Windows 7 Deployment Training
The course begins with the introduction to Microsoft Deployment Tools, Rhonda’s Bio and how to use the course to get the maximum out of it. The next lesson walks you through the Lab Setup which I believe is a true quality of a good instructor since it not only shows the cards to the delegates/students but also helps them become good card players. Throughout the course Rhonda walks us through setting up Windows 7 Deployment for two Corporate Scenarios, Wired Brain Coffee and Green Lizard Books.
Next lessons introduce you to the basics of OS deployments like Network based Installations, Image Formats (very crucial topic), Image types and terms like LTI (Lite Touch Installation) and ZTI (Zero Touch Installation). This is then followed with an overview of deployment tools from Microsoft including the sharp ImageX and Windows System Image Manager Tool from the WAIK set, Microsoft Deployment Toolkit 2010 Update 1 (MDT), Windows Deployment Services (WDS) and System Center Configuration Manager or SCCM. This is important as it sets the stage for the course and helps to understand when to use which tool.
As Abraham Lincoln once said, “Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe.” This is so very true in designing and deploying Windows Operating Systems because with proper planning and vision, desktop deployments would be a lot more easier and above all successful. That’s exactly what Rhonda does by explaining the use of the Microsoft Assessment and Planning Toolkit and following it up with its installation and configuration along with some neat tricks and tricks. One of the other challenges while moving from a legacy OS to Windows 7 is Application Compatibility. Rhonda demystifies the Application Compatibility Toolkit or ACT, a tool that’s often is difficult to get a hold on since it requires a bit of developer knowledge. But Rhonda does an excellent job in helping understand what ACT can do and how to use it to mitigate those problematic Application Compatibility issues. The best was kept to the end wherein XP Mode is detailed and demonstrated as well.
The next video shows you how to use the plumbing tools of Windows Deployment (WAIK) to create and apply images as well as master these command line utilities to become a Deployment Champ. I really enjoyed the section on User State Migration Toolkit or USMT 4.0. Unlike the Setup Manager in Windows 2003/XP, we now use the Windows System Image Manager to create those million dollar unattend.xml files to fully automate the Windows Deployment using the answer file.
Now, let’s talk about the part which impressed me the most. The Videos on MDT is one of the star attractions of the course as I believe it has been given enough coverage with all the “Bells and Whistles”. Automating LTI has been explained so well that you would feel the urge to jump to Lab Environment to get your hands dirty on it. What Rhonda does here saves you those numerous hours that you had to spend otherwise wading through the MDT help file if you ever wished to automate the LTI environment. Topics like Fringe Deployments and Fact Finding Mission on XP will surely make you thank TrainSignal a zillion times.
Videos on WDS include troubleshooting WDS which is a wonderful add-on instead of just concentrating on clicking next, next and next! It’s clearly evident that Rhonda brings her years of experience in Deploying Windows to a good use on this topic.
Next to follow suit is the video on SCCM, a product that never ceases to amaze me with its potential to centrally manage the Windows component of any Infrastructure. You will find step by step instructions in configuring SCCM along with detailed explanation of the key concepts involved. ZTI using MDT and SCCM is demonstrated as well.
While most courses only concentrate on the OS deployment, TrainSignal goes a step further and teaches you how to perform Office Deployment using OCT, MDT and SCCM. Also, all the deployments you do make no sense if you are not license compliant. Videos on Activation cover everything you need to know to use the various tools you can use to activate your Windows Clients and Office Suite.
The final video is what makes TrainSignal stand out from other CBT vendors. It not only teaches you how to do stuff, but also how to extract most out of it and enhance the knowledge you just grasped.
If you are a Consultant, Deployment Administrator or an individual looking to enhance his/her skills on Windows Deployment, this TrainSignal Windows 7 video course is one stop shop all.
This is by far the best product out of the TrainSignal Factory. A must purchase.
For more information, visit www.trainsignal.com