[ActiveDir] Software Deployment:

[Blair, James]

All,   I am looking at rolling out security updates and patches etc. for Windows 2000, Office 2000 etc. I was hoping to utilise Intellimirror to do this but for the life of me can't figure out how to do it correctly. I initially tried an IE 6 rollout to a testbed using WInInstaller LE to create the *.msi file, after failing I then tried out SP2 for the OS, also with no luck. Please could someone out there advise on the best way to do this as third party products seem to be the go but are generally not cheap. Microsoft says that it is trying to lower the total cost of ownership but having to keep investing in third party products is proving quite costly. Also, with the security updates etc. how the hell do you get *.msi's, *.mst's or *.msp's of these the only way to get these seems to be through using the Critical Update Notification...we cannot expect users to do this themselves...One last issue...is there any way to cut down on the shut down and restarts if I roll out IE 6 it will take a reboot also SP2 for W2k requires a reboot, then SR1a for office will as well most likely so will SP2 for Office. It would take at least a week of logins...and if someone is not in on the deployment day!!!!   I know this is probably basic but if anyone can shed light on this please advise, I do not at this stage wish t use SMS 2.0.   James