provided by: 
Originally published at Internet.comAcronis Snap Deploy is a bare-metal deployment utility for Windows machines. An image-based utility, the tool creates a disk-image of a standard configuration including both the O/S and the loaded applications. It can then apply that image to multiple machines simultaneously. The O/S deployment server runs on Windows NT/2000/XP/2003 Server gear, and is capable of deploying multiple Windows operating systems (98/Me/NT/2000/XP/Vista).
In brief, the administrator creates a bootable media diskette or CD, or configures a Preboot Execution Environment (PXE) with Acronis Snap Deploy agents. The target machine is then booted with the prepared media or PXE, which enables it to connect to the main deployment server. The deployment server then transfers the standard image to the system; once applied the target machine can be rebooted with the image in place, and no separate installation of O/S or applications required.
Acronis Snap Deploy is managed via a management console (Windows 98/Me/NT/2000/XP/2003) that provides for the creation and deployment of images. With the management console, an administrator can create, edit, and delete software configurations, as well as create and save images by cloning existing drives or selected partitions. Images can be integrity checked prior to deployment, and multicasting support allows for the deployment of the image to multiple PCs simultaneously (the administrator can select systems on the network to deploy the image to). Additional features of the management console include the ability to create bootable media for local deployment to a bare system; manage files on a remote deployed system; execute applications on a deployed remote PC with scheduling; and view deployment results via log entries.
Specific configuration-related capabilities of the platform include the ability to compress stored deployment images via one of four compression levels; the ability to add user account information (username/password, domain/workgroup) for a target system, and assign names to PCs using wildcards; define IP settings or DNS server properties automatically or manually; and change SIDs. Additionally, a "Universal Deploy" feature (a separate add-on license) allows for the deployment of images to machines or virtual environments with differing hardware configurations.
Other features include 64-bit Windows support; the ability to set the master image to use the target disk "as is" or resize it (the image) to use the entire hard drive; and customizable post-deployment actions.
New features the latest version (currently in beta; general availability expected in May) include Wake-on-LAN support; support for deployment scheduling; Windows Server 2008 support; support for self-deployment by authorized end-users; PE support; and security enhancements including the ability to password protect an image and apply MAC filtering.
Acronis Snap Deploy is available now. Each system to be deployed requires its own license; list pricing for a single license is $19.99 and the Universal Deploy option is $9.99. Volume discounts are available.
Contact Acronis for further information.Author: EITPlanet Staff
Read article at Internet.com site