Interface Blogs

Many of us are familiar with Linux Live CDs. These CDs are entire operating system (OS) that are fully bootable even when put on to a prepared flash drive, offering a full set of tools for simple browsing and workstation functionality, firewalls, and pentesting and forensics analysis plus many more. All without have to deal with dependencies and compiling of code. What about Windows? Well under the Software Assurance licensing model for Microsoft, many organizations are availed the same capabilities.

First a definition for PE (Preinstallation Environment)-it is a subset of XP (SP0/SP1/SP2), 2003 (SP1/R2) and Vista OSs that allows for a fully functional OS based on the original installation media. It was originally designed for OEM use (Dell, HP and others) later expanded for use in imaging technologies like Automated Deployment Services (ADS is a MS Feature Pack for Enterprise and Datacenter editions), Microsoft SMS with SP1 Operating System Deployment Feature Pack, down level configurable for Remote Installation Services (RIS) and third part VARs. It is designed to replace the old boot floppies within this context when used with a PXE server or as El Torrito compliant CD-ROM. In Vista, it is the installation environment replacing the old bluescreen mode (for lack of a better term the DOS mode, but not really) that was the intial preparation of the system during the install. It allows for a Windows Imaging (WIM) format of installation that is file based so service pack application to an master image is no longer a  task necessary. WIM also allows applications to be installed, files to be added, or new drivers added to the $OEM$ directories and catalog in this same manner.

FYI:To get more guidance on using SMS, RIS and automated deployment of OS and Office techniques do a search on MS site for BDD. Some of it is project management oriented some technical.

With systems deployment and installation characteristics left aside... It also can extend the same Linux Live CD capabilities to the Windows OS. The most well known resource in this regard is Bart Lagerweij who's website is http://www.nu2.nu/ . His website is replete with documentation and resources to fully capitalize on this feature made available to Windows. It includes application plug-ins and offers guidance on how to add your own. With his set of tools it is easy to create recovery tools and virus removal disks using CD/DVD or flash disks. I have prepared a trilogy of video blogs that demonstrate how to do this and perform a virus scan on an infected machine so check it out!