Using Virtual Machines to Test Driver Deployment

deploymentdriverssccm-2012sccm-2012-r2virtual-machines

In SCCM 2012, we're currently deploying device drivers during OSD via task seuqnces, using the "Auto Apply Drivers"-step. Our company uses workstations and laptops of several different makes and models. Therefore I'm thinking about changing the driver deployment to the approach described here.
tl;dr:

– Remove step "auto apply drivers"
– replace w/ several "apply driver package"-steps, each containing a different driver package
– use conditions in the form of WMI queries to a) determine make and model if device and b) apply appropriate driver package.

Question: Is there any way to test driver deployment with virtual machines by simulating devices of different make and model in order to see if the right driver packages are applied? Or do I have to wait for the next shipment of new laptops to test my new configuration ?

Best Answer

Conditional application of Device Drivers is great because 1) it is much more accurate and 2) it is much faster but testing it is hard.

What I would do is write out each condition as if you want it to apply to the target hardware and then modify them so they will return true when the Task Sequence for OSD runs against your Virtual Machine.

For example:

Select * From Win32_ComputerSystem WHERE Model LIKE "%Optiplex 9020%"

would be temporarily modified to be

Select * From Win32_ComputerSystem WHERE Model LIKE "%VMware Virtual Platform%"

You should then be able to verify the installation of the driver packs.


If what you want to test is your detection logic, I'm not sure exactly how we could accomplish this. The Model property is Read-Only so I cannot think of a way to modify it using PowerShell script within your Task Sequence prior to the conditional install of device drivers.

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