Need Help ASAP

[Tom120586]

Im currently at college studying Networking. I had a question today - How do you install software for 500 users without going on every machine?

My answer - Install it on the the server and it is automatically installed over the network then if opened.

Can you correct me if this seems wrong in anyway

Many thanks

Tom

 

[NickFerrar]

Bit of an open questions really.

You could give access to an applicatino to 500 users by instaling it centrally on a server (provided the software supports being run this way).

I'd have thought they probably wanted an answer using distribution software though such as Microsoft SMS Server or via using Group Policy in Active Directory (assuming it's a Windows 2000 or 2003 network).

 

[murraykr]

Ideally, you WOULDN'T install the software on every PC. The software would be installed on a Citrix Metaframe server ONCE, which would then be accessed through a Citrix client installed on each of the desktops.

This has a MAJOR networking advantage: the PC then acts as a terminal which causes a minimal amount of data to travel thru the wire (only terminal data: video, keyboard and mouse).

From a software deployment point of view, when it comes time upgrade the software, the upgrade only has to be done on the Citrix Metaframe server. The 500 desktops would not need to be touched!!! A major cost and time saver.

Good luck with your schooling!!!!!!

 

[NickFerrar]

Citrix isn't always the answer There's no mention the app causes any network traffic or requires shared data so possibly once installed it won't generate network traffic.
Citrix also requires a hefty investment, both in hardware and licences - I can't see you can justify it for a single app, especially if the desktops in place are already powerful enough to run the app locally.

 

[johnv20]

You can set up the clients to PXE boot if you need to install the entire OS automatically
[URL unfurl="true"]http://www.kegel.com/linux/pxe.html[/url]