We're currently evaluating our options for Windows imaging in our K-12 environment. With tools like Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (MDT) and Windows Deployment Services (WDS) being deprecated, and FOG not seeing significant updates recently, we're feeling a bit lost. Our plan is to transition to Packer and MAAS. Has anyone else made this switch, or do you think it's too niche for a Windows setup? I appreciate any insights, especially regarding automation and image updates!
8 Answers
Why ditch MDT and WDS just because they're deprecated? I feel like I'm missing something crucial. Are there any updates that could potentially break MDT/WDS?
Plus, it's not just deprecated, it’s end of support. If your infosec policies are strict, you might need to sign off exceptions regularly.
Hey, you're in K-12, so why not consider using Autopilot? You can get M365 A5 for peanuts, and it could simplify everything for you.
If you're looking for something fresh, there's a newer project called FFU on GitHub that focuses on educational needs. You might find it useful!
I use OSDCloud with Intune, but I'm guessing you're looking because you don't have an Intune license yet, right? Just a heads up, while OSDCloud can work alone, it might not be pretty for app installations since it lacks solid frameworks.
Yeah, we don't do any MS Cloud because of costs.
OSDCloud does look promising; I'll definitely check it out!
Have you considered solutions like Quest KACE? I replaced a failing KACE setup with MDT a while back; might be worth checking out again.
My take is, if you’re not ready to commit to Intune, FOG could still work for you. It might not be updated often, but it’s stable enough for most needs. You could automate image updates with some scripting to make it easier.
Smart Deploy is worth a look, especially for K-12! I had a decent experience with it when managing a huge number of devices. It's been fantastic since I switched.
What kinda licensing are you working with now? If you have Intune licenses, you might already have ConfigMgr, which is a pretty solid imaging tool. It's like getting a premium solution without the extra cost, besides some server expenses.
Yes, the deprecation of VBScript in upcoming Windows releases could mess things up for MDT deployments.