Provisioning packages pros and cons

Aravinth Mathan 321 Reputation points
2021-11-01T16:15:54.62+00:00

Dear all

Greetings! Would like to know the pros and cons of Windows provisioning packages over a traditional imaging(SCCMOSD/MDT).

Regards
Aravinth M

Windows 10
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  1. AllenLiu-MSFT 40,881 Reputation points Microsoft Vendor
    2021-11-02T02:24:41.733+00:00

    Hi, @Aravinth Mathan
    Thank you for posting in Microsoft Q&A forum.

    The benefits of provisioning packages：

    1. Quickly configure a new device without going through the process of installing a new image.
    2. Save time by configuring multiple devices using one provisioning package.
    3. Quickly configure employee-owned devices in an organization without a mobile device management (MDM) infrastructure.
    4. Set up a device without the device having network connectivity.

    For the disadvantages, it is suited for small- to medium-sized businesses with deployments that range from tens to a few hundred computers. For larger companies, they will want to use SCCM,MDT or some type of network based deployment where you can do multiple machines at once.

    Here is a discussion about this topic for your reference:
    https://community.spiceworks.com/topic/2080870-provisioning-vs-imaging-windows-10
    (Please note: Information posted in the given link is hosted by a third party. Microsoft does not guarantee the accuracy and effectiveness of information.)

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  1. Limitless Technology 39,391 Reputation points
    2021-11-02T09:44:09.663+00:00

    Hello,

    SCCM is an on premise tool that performs many functions in addition to Operating System Deployment (OSD) however

    1.Boot Media

    This is a Light Touch deployment requiring physical access to each device. It is well suited to small remote offices or a small staging area without OSD infrastructure (Distribution Points etc.).

    SysAdmin creates a custom Windows Image, driver package(s) and task sequence
    SysAdmin either creates boot media
    Boot media is distributed to required locations
    Each device is booted with the boot media and the task sequence builds the device
    Applications can be added in the task sequence or post OSD through SCCM’s Software Deployment functionality

    Pros
    Minimal network impact
    Minimal infrastructure requirements

    Cons
    Requires visiting each device (Light Touch)
    Boot media management overhead

    1. PXE Boot

    This is a Light Touch deployment requiring physical access to each device to enter PXE boot – This can be made Zero Touch if the boot order is set to PXE first however, this is not a sustainable configuration. It is well suited to a large staging are or small remote offices with OSD infrastructure (Distribution Points etc.).

    SysAdmin creates a custom Windows Image, driver package(s) and task sequence
    Sysadmin deploys task sequence to a collection of devices
    Devices are booted and forced into network boot
    The device finds a boot image from the SCCM Distribution Point and
    Each device is booted with the boot media and the task sequence builds the device
    Applications can be added in the task sequence or post OSD through SCCM’s Software Deployment functionality

    Pros
    No media management
    Easy modification of task sequences, boot images and driver packages

    Cons
    Requires visiting each device (Light Touch)
    Requires complex infrastructure

    1. Deployed Task Sequence

    This is a true Zero Touch deployment that can be used a Self-Service option as well as a scheduled mandatory deployment. It can even be coupled with Wake-on-Lan to target devices that are powered off (but still connected to the network. This is well suited to upgrading or refreshing large numbers of devices currently in use as it requires that each device is already managed with SCCM.

    SysAdmin creates a custom Windows Image, driver package(s) and task sequence
    Sysadmin deploys task sequence to a collection of devices
    Task sequence is executed on device (Self-serve or scheduled)
    Required files are copied to the device and the device reboots and the task sequence deploys the operating system
    Applications can be added in the task sequence or post OSD through SCCM’s Software Deployment functionality

    Pros
    No requirement to visit each device (True Zero Touch)
    No media management
    Easy modification of task sequences, boot images and driver packages
    Supports Self Service
    Supports Scheduling

    Cons
    Requires complex infrastructure
    Only available to existing SCCM clients

    --If the reply is helpful, please Upvote and Accept as answer--

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