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Step 2: Designing Initial VM

The overall project is intended to design and build a Windows XP based VM complete with software and printer configuration that can be distributed to students.

Step 2 Scope: Design the Initial VM

Design an initial Windows VM that could be provided to students that can be reviewed by stakeholders before testing.  The initial design requirements include:

• Initial Software Stack with goal to try and meet GIR software needs
• Windows Installation Steps with detailed documentation along the way
• Windows Configuration (including WAUS, setting up Athena cluster printers, etc.)
• Prepping VM for distribution (sysprep, compression, etc.)

Step 2 Goals: Design the Initial VM

The goals are to design and document the process for creating a Windows based VM intended for distributino to students. Along the way we will need to develop a software list, which we are callign the Software Stack, that will be pre-installed on the VM. We also hope to produce a sample VM that can be tested and reviewed by the project stakeholders.

Step 2 Timeline: Design the Initial VM

4-6 weeks starting Sep 15, 2009 (Estimate completion date for this step is Oct 27, 2009)

Step 2 Deliverable: Design the Initial VM

• Initial SW Stack - List of software to install on the VM including for which course(s) it is needed, approximate number of students, installation size and software version. For software that has been identified as needed for the GIRs that is not included, reason for excluding should be provided. Some known reasons already or license restriction and installation size with small usage does not justify increasing the VM size sufficiently.
• Windows Installation Steps - Step by step documentation on how to create the base Windows XP VM to be used for the distribution.
• Windows Configuration Steps - Step by step documentation on how to configure the VM including printer configurations, driver inclusion, account setup, automatic updates, etc.
• VM Preparation Steps - Step by step documentation on how to setup VM for distribution. This is expect to include steps for using sysprep (especially around encrypting the XP product key), and VMware to package the VM for optimal delivery to students. Enabling ACE features will be considered in Step 3 - Enhancing the VM.
• Sample VM - a produced VM ready for testing that includes some, but not all of the software in the software stack for basic VM testing features.
• 1st Experience Video - a video recording from VMware of what the students first boot experience is so that others can see what happens without having to experience it themselves.

Next Steps, aka Step 3

After completing this stage of the project, the Software Stack and Windows Configuration will need to be shopped around with the stakeholders to ensure that we are achieving the goals and meeting the needs.