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Enterprise User Manual
Chapter 1
Introducing PC-Duo Enterprise
PC-Duo Enterprise is a PC network management suite designed to reduce the cost and increase the efficiency of managing PC desktops, through pro-active management. It offers interactive and scheduled PC management operations, using its flexible and powerful Active Host Architecture.
PC-Duo Enterprise gives you true integration of PC management functions, based on a common database. With minimal intrusion on the user and on desktop performance, it enables you to:
- Get comprehensive hardware inventory information for the PCs at your Site. The spectrum of PC hardware is covered, from DOS to XP systems. A wealth of accurate hardware configuration information is available and key system details are checked for changes.
- Gather user information, such as location, department, cost code, phone number and other asset information using the customizable user-prompting facility.
- Find out what software is installed on your networked PCs - including the software that shouldn't be installed - using the Software Inventory facilities. A Packages Database is supplied, along with discovery utilities which assist you with identifying unrecognized applications. You can easily define new Package identification rules for your own applications.
- Track the authorized and unauthorized software applications installed at your Site. Using the Package Policy Manager, you can readily see discrepancies which will matter to your organization and ensure compliance with software licenses
- Use the Software Distribution facility for reliable, simple and consistent installations of applications and service upgrade packages, such as Windows Service Packs, across your network. Use the integrated Software Distribution Viewer to monitor the progress of the software installation on each user's PC.
- Generate reports based on inventory and other data. Over 50 pre-defined reports are supplied with PC-Duo Enterprise.
- Integrate your network management work with other utilities and external applications.
- Access Hardware Inventory and other data in the ODBC-compliant PC-Duo Enterprise database using external reporting and analysis applications.
- Collect configuration diagnostics and protect and restore critical desktop applications with Enterprise Diagnostics. By comparing system and software configurations in real-time, critical applications can be restored within minutes ensuring minimum end user downtime.
- Track and manage help desk issues and calls centrally using Enterprise HelpDesk, a powerful, web-based module that is easily customizable to meet all helpdesk requirements.
- Control any Windows PC on a LAN, WAN or Internet using Enterprise Remote Control. It enables your help desk staff to interact with users' PCs remotely, and offers help desk support, training facilities and text-based communication.
System Requirements
PC-Duo Enterprise Console System
PC-Duo Enterprise Client System
Architecture
PC-Duo Enterprise's Active Host Architecture consists of four major architectural components:
Site Database
The PC-Duo Enterprise Site Database can be an ODBC-compliant database such as Microsoft Access, Microsoft SQL Server or Oracle. It is typically installed on a file server.
When an installation comprises anything more than a single combined Console and Scheduler, the Database location must be shared for access by all Consoles and Schedulers.
The managed Clients do not access the Database themselves. All Database access is performed by PC-Duo Enterprise Consoles and Schedulers.
PC-Duo Enterprise Architecture
Clients
The PC-Duo Enterprise Client software includes hardware interrogation agents, a customizable user information collection program and Agent software for software distribution. Clients are accessed using a data repository, known as the Offline Area, typically located on an intermediary file server.
For PCs which are never connected to the network, you can collect inventory data on floppy disk. This can then be loaded into the Offline Area repository for PC-Duo Enterprise access.
Consoles
The PC-Duo Enterprise Console application is used to define, manage and process Clients. Consoles are used to execute operations on Clients, and to view, analyze and print Client data. Consoles are also used to submit Jobs to PC-Duo Enterprise Schedulers.
Schedulers
The Scheduler is a PC-Duo Enterprise program which automates the performance of operations on Client PCs. On Windows NT4, 2000 and XP, the Scheduler can run as a Service. These two types of Schedulers provide a flexible approach to managing Scheduled Jobs.
Benefits of the Architecture
The Active Host Architecture has several benefits:
Consistent Support for Networked and Non-Networked PCs
PCs do not have to be permanently connected to a network, as PC-Duo Enterprise operations can performed through a file server repository for inventory data and communication back to the PC itself. Alternatively, the Online Client functionality permits direct access to PCs on the network in real-time.
The PC-Duo Enterprise Console user is not forced to be aware of this distinction and can perform several operations without consideration for the type of access involved. Additionally, PC-Duo Enterprise's Auditing facility offers support for PCs that are never connected to a network.
Interactive and Scheduled Use
PC-Duo Enterprise's ability to execute most operations, both interactively on demand and scheduled, is a key benefit of its Active Host Architecture.
The support and management of today's desktop, often in an environment of aggressive service level targets, demands the ability to work pro-actively.
Minimum Impact on Network and Servers
You can limit the number of scheduled Jobs which a Host is allowed to process concurrently. This allows you to apply stringent restrictions and prevent any ``burst'' problems when, for example, several urgent Jobs may be submitted together for immediate processing.
You can limit the frequency at which Client PCs access the server and because they use data compression, the network load is minimized when transfers are required.
Maximum Compatibility for Networks
PC-Duo Enterprise uses Microsoft Windows Networking functions, as used by tools such as Explorer. This enables maximum compatibility with most PC networks, reduces installation problems and improves support for NetWare-based networks.
Feedback and Visibility
In addition to the flexibility of on-demand operation, the Active Host Architecture is ideal for providing feedback of event information in real-time, and visibility of progress in real-time.
Total Control
As well as monitoring network Jobs as they process PCs, you can also stop and reschedule them, or change the list of Client PCs to be processed. All of this, and immediate, real-time management of PCs can be accomplished through a single, consistent user interface presented by the PC-Duo Enterprise Console application.
 Vector Networks http://www.vector-networks.com Voice: +44 (0) 1827 67333 Fax: +44 (0) 1827 67068 info@vector-networks.co.uk |
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