Using PC-Rdist* at Wellesley and Using PC-Rdist* at Wellesley and Amherst CollegesAmherst Colleges

Windows 98Windows 98Susan Hafer RichmanSusan Hafer RichmanProject ManagerProject ManagerInformation ServicesInformation ServicesWellesley CollegeWellesley College

Windows 2000Windows 2000Nicholas DahlmanNicholas Dahlman

Microcomputer SpecialistMicrocomputer SpecialistDesktop Computing ServicesDesktop Computing Services

Amherst CollegeAmherst College

*PC Remote Distribute software by Pyzzo Software (www.pyzzo.com)

PC-Rdist at Wellesley CollegePC-Rdist at Wellesley College

Where we were, where we Where we were, where we are, where we’re goingare, where we’re going

Some history…Some history…1985: MicroLab with IBM PCs and AT&T 6300s (no hard 1985: MicroLab with IBM PCs and AT&T 6300s (no hard drives), room locked if no student consultant on dutydrives), room locked if no student consultant on duty

Mid-90s: more labs, some open 24 hours, filled with Mid-90s: more labs, some open 24 hours, filled with Gateway2000 PCs; problem PCs stayed down for a long Gateway2000 PCs; problem PCs stayed down for a long time….time….

1997: Ghost images on CD used as needed to refresh 1997: Ghost images on CD used as needed to refresh public PC hard drivespublic PC hard drives

1998: began using ImageCast and PC-Rdist1998: began using ImageCast and PC-Rdist

1999: upgraded PC-Rdist to version 21999: upgraded PC-Rdist to version 2

Our Network EnvironmentOur Network EnvironmentClass B network – flat?Class B network – flat?

NT domain using TCP/IPNT domain using TCP/IP

Typically using GUEST account in Windows – will Typically using GUEST account in Windows – will soon have domain accounts for allsoon have domain accounts for all

Public computers are Macs (refreshed with Public computers are Macs (refreshed with Assimilator) and Windows 98SE Gateway2000 Assimilator) and Windows 98SE Gateway2000 PCs (refreshed with PC-Rdist)PCs (refreshed with PC-Rdist)

PC-Rdist running from Windows 2000 ServerPC-Rdist running from Windows 2000 Server

What’s in our tool box?What’s in our tool box?

PC-Rdist: incremental refreshing over PC-Rdist: incremental refreshing over the networkthe network

ImageCast: blast the hard drive with ImageCast: blast the hard drive with image on CDsimage on CDs

Visual DialogScript: old version of a Visual DialogScript: old version of a Windows scripting languageWindows scripting language

PC-Rdist in a nutshellPC-Rdist in a nutshell

Master images for lab computers are on a Master images for lab computers are on a server on the campus networkserver on the campus network

Run PC-Rdist, which figures out what files and Run PC-Rdist, which figures out what files and registry items are different from what the server registry items are different from what the server says should be on the computersays should be on the computer

Delete and add items, then restart the Delete and add items, then restart the computer – takes less than 5 minutescomputer – takes less than 5 minutes

Can run at startup, as part of log in/out scripts, Can run at startup, as part of log in/out scripts, or use outside scheduleror use outside scheduler

PC-Rdist setup: our old wayPC-Rdist setup: our old way

Built a base “lab” image with OS and all standard Built a base “lab” image with OS and all standard software, using ImageCast; made lab IC image on software, using ImageCast; made lab IC image on CD for worst caseCD for worst case

Built alternate images as layers on top of “lab” for Built alternate images as layers on top of “lab” for specialized hardware and software, using PC-Rdistspecialized hardware and software, using PC-Rdist

Some locations our students manually refreshed, Some locations our students manually refreshed, others used VirusScan 4.0.3 Schedulerothers used VirusScan 4.0.3 Scheduler

What we did this summer*What we did this summer*Base image: only Windows and IE, one for each Base image: only Windows and IE, one for each hardware platformhardware platform

Separate images for each program and for Separate images for each program and for scanners, printers for each labscanners, printers for each lab

Windows Scheduled Tasks for some labs, set to Windows Scheduled Tasks for some labs, set to run between midnight and 7amrun between midnight and 7am

Visual DialogScript Visual DialogScript

*based on information from Steve Tapp from Kent State at SIGUCCS 2000

What we have nowWhat we have now

PC-Rdist 2.0.5 and ImageCast 4.5.1PC-Rdist 2.0.5 and ImageCast 4.5.1231 PCs in the database (80 in labs, 42 in 231 PCs in the database (80 in labs, 42 in dorms, 97 in classrooms, 12 in libraries), dorms, 97 in classrooms, 12 in libraries), all running Windows 98 SEall running Windows 98 SE1 person doing most of the tweaking on 1 person doing most of the tweaking on the serverthe serverStudent consultants follow up automated Student consultants follow up automated refreshes or do manual refreshesrefreshes or do manual refreshes

AutoRefreshing: Our planningAutoRefreshing: Our planning

Create list for each weekday – keep Create list for each weekday – keep refreshes 10-15 minutes apartrefreshes 10-15 minutes apart

From this list, create Windows Scheduled From this list, create Windows Scheduled Task files for each computer’s imageTask files for each computer’s image

Do only a few PCs in each lab each nightDo only a few PCs in each lab each night

AutoRefreshing: Prep workAutoRefreshing: Prep workWindows Scheduled Tasks runs scriptWindows Scheduled Tasks runs script

Script displays Notepad 10-minute warningScript displays Notepad 10-minute warning

Prep: checks for \\tricky2k\auto\local.bat and copies to c:\Prep: checks for \\tricky2k\auto\local.bat and copies to c:\windowswindows

Deletes RunServices keyDeletes RunServices key

Creates RunOnce key for local.bat <name>Creates RunOnce key for local.bat <name>

RebootsReboots

AutoRefreshing: Finishing upAutoRefreshing: Finishing up

Runs c:\windows\local.bat

Sets name of sender for later e-mail

Looks for \\tricky2k\x1\pcrdist.exe. No = creates c:\noserver.txt and exits. Yes = runs PCRDist

PCRDist runs, and sends e-mail to conference

Follow-up ProceduresFollow-up Procedures

PC-Rdist automatically e-mails conferencePC-Rdist automatically e-mails conference

8:30 M-F Students check PCs scheduled 8:30 M-F Students check PCs scheduled for refresh in the wee hoursfor refresh in the wee hours

Weekly manual update of spreadsheet Weekly manual update of spreadsheet to check for delinquent PCsto check for delinquent PCs

Occasionally need to do manual refreshOccasionally need to do manual refresh

What’s coming….What’s coming….

Windows 2000…?Windows 2000…?

PC-Rdist and Windows 2000: PC-Rdist and Windows 2000: A Case StudyA Case Study

Maintaining and Improving Maintaining and Improving Computers at Amherst CollegeComputers at Amherst College

Nicholas Dahlman, Microcomputer Specialist

http://www.amherst.edu/~nadahlman/pc-rdist

The Situation – March 2001The Situation – March 200157 PCs in 3 labs running Windows 9557 PCs in 3 labs running Windows 95

Base image applied with Ghost via networkBase image applied with Ghost via network

PC-Rdist 1.52 stored locally on hard drivePC-Rdist 1.52 stored locally on hard drive

On first reboot, PC-Rdist names computer & On first reboot, PC-Rdist names computer & readies for networkreadies for network

Computers manually remade every morning by Computers manually remade every morning by student workers from Mac server (!)student workers from Mac server (!)

Our Network Environment – Our Network Environment – Summer 2001Summer 2001

Newly subnetted networkNewly subnetted network

Mixed-mode NT domain using TCP/IP; personal Mixed-mode NT domain using TCP/IP; personal secure network storage & login scriptssecure network storage & login scripts

Public computers are Macs (refreshed with Public computers are Macs (refreshed with RevRdist) and Windows 2000 Dell PCs RevRdist) and Windows 2000 Dell PCs (refreshed with PC-Rdist)(refreshed with PC-Rdist)

PC-Rdist running from Windows 2000 ServerPC-Rdist running from Windows 2000 Server

Summer 2001 To-Do ListSummer 2001 To-Do ListLayeringLayering– One base image on different hardwareOne base image on different hardware– Different labs get different softwareDifferent labs get different software

Better User ExperienceBetter User Experience– New, clean desktop for every userNew, clean desktop for every user– Ability to install own softwareAbility to install own software– Tie in with network resourcesTie in with network resources

Easy-to-keepEasy-to-keep– Manual or automated maintenanceManual or automated maintenance– Ability to remake, check on computers remotelyAbility to remake, check on computers remotely

Ghost 7 and SysprepGhost 7 and SysprepUpgrade to Symantec Ghost 7Upgrade to Symantec Ghost 7– Compatible with NTFS, Windows 2000 (mostly)Compatible with NTFS, Windows 2000 (mostly)– Can create, retrieve images over networkCan create, retrieve images over network– CannotCannot create new W2k SIDs create new W2k SIDs

Microsoft Sysprep 1.1 (free)Microsoft Sysprep 1.1 (free)– Allows you to duplicate a hard drive after configuring Allows you to duplicate a hard drive after configuring

Windows & installing appsWindows & installing apps– Runs “Mini-setup” (for differing hardware)Runs “Mini-setup” (for differing hardware)– Plain-text “Answer File” allows you to specify answers Plain-text “Answer File” allows you to specify answers

to Setup questionsto Setup questions– Bear to set up; very easy when set up properlyBear to set up; very easy when set up properly

PC-Rdist 2 demoPC-Rdist 2 demoPC-Rdist PC-Rdist server server structurestructureThe GUIThe GUISetting files Setting files to ignore, to ignore, delete, etc.delete, etc.Creating an Creating an application application layerlayer

PC-Rdist and Windows 2000: PC-Rdist and Windows 2000: The Permissions ProblemThe Permissions Problem

Levels of permissions: Guest, User, Power User, Levels of permissions: Guest, User, Power User, Administrator, SYSTEMAdministrator, SYSTEM

Administrators can’t access all files and entire Administrators can’t access all files and entire registry – only SYSTEM can.registry – only SYSTEM can.

PC-Rdist runs with permissions of user who PC-Rdist runs with permissions of user who started it.started it.

Therefore, just running PC-Rdist yourself won’t Therefore, just running PC-Rdist yourself won’t work!work!

PC-Rdist and Windows 2000: PC-Rdist and Windows 2000: The AT SolutionThe AT Solution

AT: command-line Scheduled TasksAT: command-line Scheduled Tasks

Administrator-scheduled AT tasks run with Administrator-scheduled AT tasks run with SYSTEM permissions SYSTEM permissions

AT can schedule computers remotely!AT can schedule computers remotely!

Batch files add versatility & easeBatch files add versatility & ease

Command-line scheduling demoCommand-line scheduling demo

What the AT command looks likeWhat the AT command looks likeLooking at scheduled tasksLooking at scheduled tasksClearing scheduleClearing scheduleScheduling a remakeScheduling a remakeScheduling a labScheduling a lab

Windows 2000 InterfaceWindows 2000 InterfaceUsers log onto domain (as themselves or guest), get Users log onto domain (as themselves or guest), get Default User profile, Power User permissionsDefault User profile, Power User permissions

My Documents linked to secure network storageMy Documents linked to secure network storage

Screen saver automatically logs users off after Screen saver automatically logs users off after specified time*specified time*

* Logoff screen saver from Windows 2000 Resource Kit

Batch scheduling command reschedules itself if Batch scheduling command reschedules itself if user is logged on**user is logged on**

** “UserOn” batch command courtesy JSI Inc.’s Tip #1752

ResultsResultsVery few crashesVery few crashes

Labs with very different settings, appsLabs with very different settings, apps

Increased use of network resources; fewer Increased use of network resources; fewer floppy disks!floppy disks!

Bored student lab supervisorsBored student lab supervisors

Expanded to library, departmental labs, Expanded to library, departmental labs, classrooms (8 labs, 110 computers so far)classrooms (8 labs, 110 computers so far)

PC-RdistPC-Rdist Q&AQ&A

www.pyzzo.com

Susan Hafer RichmanSusan Hafer RichmanWellesley CollegeWellesley Collegesrichman@wellesley.edu

Nicholas DahlmanNicholas DahlmanAmherst CollegeAmherst College

nadahlman@amherst.edu

http://www.amherst.edu/~nadahlman/pc-rdist