Top 16 tips and tricks for OS Deployer

As an IT admin, it can be tiresome to image a machine and deploy the image to target computers frequently. OS Deployer is fairly simple to use, as it automates most of the processes involved. Here we share some of the best tips and tricks for using OS Deployer for your OS imaging and deployment process.

Image creation and storage

• Create a golden image with the updated OS, necessary applications, and other configurations.
• Always place the image and driver repositories in a password-protected network share.
• Do not keep image and driver repositories in the same machine where the Central Server is installed.

Deployment template

• Enable Complex Password while adding a new user during the deployment template creation process.
• Scan the installation files (EXE, MSI, etc.) for malicious content before adding them to the deployment template.
• Ensure you've added installation commands or silent switches for applications before performing deployments.
• Execute the silent switches for applications in the command prompt manually to test them before adding applications to the deployment template.

Deployment task

• Use either the MAC address of the target computer(s) or the unique passcode to initiate deployment. This will help you avoid sharing administrator credentials.
• To secure your deployment, enable the passcode lockout policy and use strong passcodes for deployment tasks.

Accelerate imaging and deployment

A few environmental issues can cause slow imaging and deployment, particularly while deploying to multiple machines. The following tips would help you accelerate your OS imaging and deployment process.

• Check the bandwidth of the target computers' network. The deployment will take longer if the bandwidth is overused, so try freeing it up to increase the deployment speed.
• Increase network transfer/bandwidth limitation if anything else is configured in the connected router/switch.
• Ensure that the target computer is connected to the same VLAN to which the Central Server is connected.
• Check with a different Ethernet port.
• Check with a different Ethernet cable.
• Try imaging and deployment with a computer that has better disk performance. The performance of the disk can be analyzed using the Task Manager. Under Task Manager, the Performance tab will reveal the read and write speeds of the disk.
• Try imaging and deployment with a computer that has a better RAM speed.