tool for software deployment
Hi,
I am wondering if somebody could give me recommandation for a software that will manage and deploy software/patches. The environment is XP Embedded with most of the functions stripped out of it so I can forget all the Active Directory tools that are out there (no, I cannot map a \\foobar drive).
There are about 7000 units on 3000 different locations to use this software and the units are all unattended (terminals). Currently we are using Tivoli for the job but it is the worst %&##%¤ piece of software I've ever seen and I'm going to replace it.
Requirements:
* NO pay per seat license
* Agent based
* Using TCP/IP with configurable port (Encrypted preferrably)
* Never run anything in the foreground (service based)
* scheduling deployment
* create groups of computers from external configuration (xml etc.)
* Bandwidth throttling (not necessary but would be nice)
* fetch files from computers (such as log files)
* import / export file packages
On top of this if there is a tool that can also monitor hard drive space, cpu utilization etc. that would be super. Then I dont have to replace tivoli with 2 different software management tools.
Thanks!
I am wondering if somebody could give me recommandation for a software that will manage and deploy software/patches. The environment is XP Embedded with most of the functions stripped out of it so I can forget all the Active Directory tools that are out there (no, I cannot map a \\foobar drive).
There are about 7000 units on 3000 different locations to use this software and the units are all unattended (terminals). Currently we are using Tivoli for the job but it is the worst %&##%¤ piece of software I've ever seen and I'm going to replace it.
Requirements:
* NO pay per seat license
* Agent based
* Using TCP/IP with configurable port (Encrypted preferrably)
* Never run anything in the foreground (service based)
* scheduling deployment
* create groups of computers from external configuration (xml etc.)
* Bandwidth throttling (not necessary but would be nice)
* fetch files from computers (such as log files)
* import / export file packages
On top of this if there is a tool that can also monitor hard drive space, cpu utilization etc. that would be super. Then I dont have to replace tivoli with 2 different software management tools.
Thanks!
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Posted by:
sejacru
18 years ago
hello rabie,
You can use ibm director. Within director there is a module `remote deployment manager`. We use it to flash bios, update cmos, image workstation. I think you can also use this to deploy software...we dont use it but i thought this was possible. You can make a group of computer, monitor everything within a pc and you can make accounts so you can delegate task, such as imaging, to your helpdesk. If you have one...ofcourse.
greetings sejacru
You can use ibm director. Within director there is a module `remote deployment manager`. We use it to flash bios, update cmos, image workstation. I think you can also use this to deploy software...we dont use it but i thought this was possible. You can make a group of computer, monitor everything within a pc and you can make accounts so you can delegate task, such as imaging, to your helpdesk. If you have one...ofcourse.
greetings sejacru
Posted by:
rabie
18 years ago
Hi sejacru,
I am using IBM Tivoli, which I guess is the same thing as IBM Director..
Anyway, I am looking to get away from IBM software since I find it:
1. software is to _old_ (the gui is from the 80's), no web support.
2. to complex, tivoli takes days to install, and you need to know exactly what modules to install, not so cool when you need to have a lot of installations.. and to setup a new deployment unit is also very painstaking
3. tooo pricey
4. ibm has very little support on this software.
On the good side, tivoli can almost do anything (as long as you're willing to write a script for it). However I do not have that many requirements and I surely am not willing to pay the pricetag it carries.
I am using IBM Tivoli, which I guess is the same thing as IBM Director..
Anyway, I am looking to get away from IBM software since I find it:
1. software is to _old_ (the gui is from the 80's), no web support.
2. to complex, tivoli takes days to install, and you need to know exactly what modules to install, not so cool when you need to have a lot of installations.. and to setup a new deployment unit is also very painstaking
3. tooo pricey
4. ibm has very little support on this software.
On the good side, tivoli can almost do anything (as long as you're willing to write a script for it). However I do not have that many requirements and I surely am not willing to pay the pricetag it carries.
Posted by:
sejacru
18 years ago
Hello rabie,
Oke i guess we think the some about Ibm but i may not choose. You know...money issue..managemend etc. A lot of bla bla and i am the loser that works with the software. But ibm director gui is not old, it is java based and not hard to install. And for support i dont have to worry, we have a 4 hour contract (not fast but when i´m stuck i got helped...)
greetings sejacu
Oke i guess we think the some about Ibm but i may not choose. You know...money issue..managemend etc. A lot of bla bla and i am the loser that works with the software. But ibm director gui is not old, it is java based and not hard to install. And for support i dont have to worry, we have a 4 hour contract (not fast but when i´m stuck i got helped...)
greetings sejacu
Posted by:
rabie
18 years ago
you're right, the gui is java based, however it looks and works like it was made in the eighties...
and yes the gui component is easy to install, its the other 50 modules that are required to get everything working that is hard to do. When we have problems we have an consultant from ibm to help us sort out the stuff, but when I see him struggle with the problem, almost always fixing the stuff from trial and error, it shows that this is not one of ibm's top priorities.
and yes the gui component is easy to install, its the other 50 modules that are required to get everything working that is hard to do. When we have problems we have an consultant from ibm to help us sort out the stuff, but when I see him struggle with the problem, almost always fixing the stuff from trial and error, it shows that this is not one of ibm's top priorities.
Posted by:
sejacru
18 years ago
Do you have an eye on a software tool? Or is it anything but ibm.
greeting sejacru
greeting sejacru
Posted by:
rabie
18 years ago
well, I am trying to go through the massive list of potential suppliers of a software tool, but I was hoping that somebody could give me an advise on a software that would match my requirements. Like what software are you guys using?
And yes, I will not buy any ibm software to do remote deployment and monitoring.
And yes, I will not buy any ibm software to do remote deployment and monitoring.
Posted by:
sejacru
18 years ago
I keep my eye on this post....we also would like a new software tool for remote deployment. It needs also OS deployment. I think we cant get rid of ibm director, maybe its handy for collection information. I wish you luck and i will be reading this post....maybe we are looking the same tool?.
greeting sejacru
greeting sejacru
Posted by:
revizor
18 years ago
And we just recently decided on bringing Tivoli in...
How is it in comparison to SMS or Altiris? What are the common complaints? Any cool features?
How is it when it comes to managing servers? Dells or IBM's blades?
How is it in comparison to SMS or Altiris? What are the common complaints? Any cool features?
How is it when it comes to managing servers? Dells or IBM's blades?
Posted by:
sejacru
18 years ago
hi revizor,
are happy with tivoly? My boss is ibm minded so anything else than ibm is not good a enough. One major thing in ibm´s rdm is when a computer changes from one subnet mask to an other (We have one vlan per location) subnet we cannot control the machine. We ave 2300 computers and 150 are migrated with rdm. This is going slow because we have 800 apps (local and network) that needs to package, and i´m the only one that knows how to package etc.
Softricity seem to me a very cool tool but we need also a tool for os deployment so altiris has a good shot of becoming out new tool. What tool do you prefer?
greetings sejacru
are happy with tivoly? My boss is ibm minded so anything else than ibm is not good a enough. One major thing in ibm´s rdm is when a computer changes from one subnet mask to an other (We have one vlan per location) subnet we cannot control the machine. We ave 2300 computers and 150 are migrated with rdm. This is going slow because we have 800 apps (local and network) that needs to package, and i´m the only one that knows how to package etc.
Softricity seem to me a very cool tool but we need also a tool for os deployment so altiris has a good shot of becoming out new tool. What tool do you prefer?
greetings sejacru
Posted by:
revizor
18 years ago
We haven't implemented Tivoli. In fact I haven't even seen it yet.
What matters to me the most is the admin interface. I've worked with both SMS & Altiris before. The thing I love most about Altiris is the real-time administration. Lack of it in SMS is my single most important argument in favor of switching.
Does Tivoli give you at-a-glance view of your computers: how many online/offline/logged on to?
Is there an easy way to kick off sofware distribution through admin console? Options to do administration off a mobile device?
Any solution for OS deployment through Tivoli?
Any good third-party tools written for Tivoli?
I've heard both love & hate stories about Tivoli, just wanted to know some specifics...
What matters to me the most is the admin interface. I've worked with both SMS & Altiris before. The thing I love most about Altiris is the real-time administration. Lack of it in SMS is my single most important argument in favor of switching.
Does Tivoli give you at-a-glance view of your computers: how many online/offline/logged on to?
Is there an easy way to kick off sofware distribution through admin console? Options to do administration off a mobile device?
Any solution for OS deployment through Tivoli?
Any good third-party tools written for Tivoli?
I've heard both love & hate stories about Tivoli, just wanted to know some specifics...
Posted by:
shuffle
18 years ago
What about Zenworks w/o NetWare? You have to install eDirectory on the managing server, and the Zen client on the targets. It can run silently IIRC. The only thing I don't know about is per seat licensing, you would have to look into it. It can do some snazzy inventory stuff as well, and is extensible.
Posted by:
rpfenninger
18 years ago
We are using ZENworks for Desktops as well. It is a fine software suite and helps with most of the stuff you need to do in your daily business like imaging clients, distributing software, applying group policies. Unfortunately Novell bought the company Tally Systems to late for us so we decided to buy a 3rd party tool for inventory. I guess you don't have to anymore. I really heard a lot of cool things of Tally.
Posted by:
grimmda
18 years ago
We have Intel LANDesk where I am at. Version 7.5 and will eventually be moving to 8.6. I'm not sure about it's price but I believe it's technical requirements would meet your needs. It's not the best but it does work...
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