This release marks the first in a series of three Microsoft Deployment releases planned between now and Summer 2008. It focuses on integration with new deployment features in System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM) 2007 as well as features and guidance to support server deployment. Future updates to Microsoft Deployment will add support for Microsoft Windows Server 2008, Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (SP1), and SCCM 2007 SP1 releases.

Microsoft Deployment combined with SCCM 2007 allow you to:

• Dynamically install packages
• Automatically determine user state store locations
• Back up computers and database settings
• Install to computers unknown to the Configuration Manager 2007 database
• Perform offline patching
• Install language packs offline and online
• Monitor deployments using an updated Microsoft Operations Manager (MOM) 2007 Management Pack

In addition to the new integration with SCCM 2007, Microsoft Deployment also enhances lite-touch installation (LTI) for desktop and server computers. This release allows LTI to:

• Deploy pre-release versions of Windows Server 2008, including support for Server Core installation options
• Automate server role definition using Server Manager
• Configure disk and network interface cards (NICs), including static TCP/IP configuration
• Migrate from LTI to SCCM 2007
• Create custom task sequences, or modify task sequences based on new client, server, and replace templates.
• Invoke Web service calls from rules
• Deploy operating system images using the new multicast feature in Windows Server 2008 Windows Deployment Services (DS)

Microsoft Deployment is available as a free download on the Microsoft Download Center. The Microsoft TechNet Desktop Deployment Center and the new Server Deployment Center host the Microsoft Deployment process guidance for online reading.