Comparing DOS, Linux and WinPE for Deployment Solution automation environments

Products

• Deployment Solution

Issue/Introduction

 

Resolution

Question
What are the pros and cons of using DOS, Linux, and WinPE as Deployment Solution automation environment?

Answer
Pros of Microsoft DOS*:

• Drivers are easier to import and modify at this time.
• Microsoft DOS has a maximum file size of 2.88 MB.
• Microsoft DOS is capable of multicasting.

Cons of Microsoft DOS:

• Microsoft DOS is significantly slower than WinPE and slightly slower than Linux in regards to imaging.
• It is unable to authenticate to multiple physical devices.
• Altiris does not support DOS authenticating to a domain.
• It is a command line interface only.
• It may not support the most current drivers .
• It may not support new NIC devices.

Pros of Fedora Linux*:

• It is capable of authenticating to a domain.
• It is slightly faster than Microsoft DOS in regards to imaging.

Cons of Fedora Linux:

• It is more difficult to set up and to use currently.
• It is a command line interface only.

Pros of WinPE*:

• WinPE is significantly faster than Linux or DOS in regards to imaging.
• WinPE is capable of authenticating to a domain.
• WinPE is capable of authenticating to multiple physical devices.

Cons of WinPE:

• WinPE is not capable of receiving the PXE boot file via multicasting.
• WinPE takes longer to receive the PXE boot file (130 MB vs. 1.44 or 2.88 MB).
• WinPE is more difficult to install and configure currently.