Understanding the Lab Kit
The Microsoft Intune and Microsoft Configuration Manager Evaluation Lab Kit serves as a powerful tool for IT professionals. It allows them to evaluate and explore the capabilities of Microsoft Intune and Configuration Manager. Here are the key points:
1. Unified Platform for Endpoint Management:
– The lab kit combines the strengths of both Microsoft Intune and Configuration Manager.
– Intune, a cloud-based solution, simplifies app and device management across various devices, including mobile devices, desktop computers, and virtual endpoints.
– Configuration Manager, on the other hand, focuses on on-premises endpoint management.
2. Lab Components:
– The lab environment consists of two critical components:
– Lab Environment: An automatically provisioned virtual lab setup that includes domain-joined desktop clients, a domain controller, an Internet gateway, and a fully configured Configuration Manager instance.
– Lab Guide: A self-guided resource that provides step-by-step instructions for various scenarios.
3. What’s Included in the Lab Environment?
– The lab environment includes the following products:
– Windows 11 Enterprise (Version 22H2): The latest Windows operating system.
– Microsoft Configuration Manager (Version 2211): A robust solution for managing endpoints.
– Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit for Windows 11: Essential for deployment tasks.
– Windows Server 2022: The server component for managing the lab environment.
– Integration with other Microsoft products:
– Microsoft 365 E5
– Microsoft 365 Apps for enterprise
– Office 365 E5 with Enterprise Mobility + Security (EMS)
4. Key Scenarios Covered in the Lab Guide:
– The lab guide provides detailed instructions for the following scenarios:
– Infrastructure Planning and Preparation
– Cloud Management Gateway (CMG) Configuration
– Tenant Attach and Co-Management
– Endpoint Analytics
– Optimizing Windows 11 Update Delivery
– OS Deployment Task Sequences in Configuration Manager
– Windows Autopilot
– Servicing Windows 11
– Device Management for Windows 11 using Microsoft Intune
– Deploying Windows Apps (Win32) with Intune
– Remote Help
– Deploying Microsoft 365 Apps for enterprise
5. Important Considerations:
– The lab environment is designed for evaluation purposes only.
– It contains evaluation versions of Microsoft products.
– The Windows 11 client VMs expire 90 days after activation.
– Do not connect this lab environment to your production environment.
6. Getting Started:
– To access the lab environment and guide, download the Windows and Office Deployment Lab Kit from the Microsoft Evaluation Center : https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/evalcenter/download-mem-evaluation-lab-kit
– Ensure your Hyper-V host meets the specified requirements.
This lab offers guidance on deploying and managing Windows 11 and Microsoft 365 Apps for enterprise with Microsoft Configuration Manager, utilizing the environment from the Windows 11 and Office 365 Deployment Lab Kit available for free on the Microsoft Evaluation Center. The lab environment is downloadable from there. For the lab setup, you need a Hyper-V host running on Windows Server 2019 or later, or on Windows 10 or Windows 11, with specific hardware specifications such as 16GB of RAM, 150GB of disk space, and a high-speed disk subsystem, among others. The kit is a test environment based on Windows Server 2022 and Windows 11, designed to be imported onto a Hyper-V server. It’s recommended to use a Windows Server OS, which should be fully updated for optimal performance.
The lab emphasizes that it contains evaluation versions of Microsoft products, with the Windows 11 client VMs expiring 90 days post-activation. An updated lab kit is scheduled for release. Users are advised against duplicating the lab in their local environment to prevent virtual machine conflicts and may need to adjust DNS settings for internet access.
The lab package includes a self-extracting zip file containing exported Server-based virtual machines and various deployment tools. These machines are to be imported and created in Hyper-V, showcasing different roles and products, from Windows 11 domain-joined clients to Microsoft Configuration Manager and SQL Server installations.
Setting up the lab on an Internet-Connected Hyper-V Host involves creating an external virtual switch for internet connectivity, downloading and extracting the lab zip file without spaces in the folder name to avoid issues during the setup process. The setup process involves running a setup executable as an administrator and following the wizard to import and create the necessary virtual machines in Hyper-V. This process requires internet connectivity, and users are advised to allow time for the wizard to complete its tasks, including provisioning virtual switches and importing virtual machines.
Credentials for accessing the servers and clients in the lab are provided, including local and domain administrator access. After demonstrations or testing, the environment should be cleaned up by removing the virtual machines and virtual switches from Hyper-V and deleting the extracted folder to avoid issues during reinstallation.
Troubleshooting tips include ensuring the lab files are unzipped before running the setup, avoiding spaces in the folder names where the zip file is extracted, verifying the virtual switch setup before provisioning the lab, and reinstalling the lab if installation issues persist. If virtual machines have network connectivity issues, logging into each VM and waiting or restarting them might help, or adjusting the virtual switch settings in Hyper-V may be necessary.
