The Microsoft® Deployment Toolkit (MDT) 2008 provides unified processes and tools for desktop and server OS deployment using a common deployment console and a collection of best practices. The toolkit provides a single mechanism for image creation and an automated installation process to reduce deployment time.

MDT can be used in two different operational environments:

1. Lite Touch Installation (LTI) - Used primarily when software distribution tools like Microsoft Systems Center Configuration Manager (SCCM aka ConfigMgr) 2007 are not available
2. Zero Touch Installation (ZTI) – Used as an extension of the OS deployment capabilities available with ConfigMgr 2007

This technical paper primarily focuses on using the LTI installation mechanism along with Deployment Workbench for deployment of OSs on Dell™ client systems using the Dell driver packs; the Dell Client System Deployment CAB helps simplify the deployment of customized images on Dell hardware. While the installation how-to steps detailed in this white paper are LTI specific, the installation process resembles the ZTI installation method that uses the underlying ConfigMgr capabilities to discover and deploy operating systems.

The intended audiences for this paper are I/T and network administrators or managers who need to understand the technical aspects of creating and deploying their own customized images on Dell client systems.