TOC PREV NEXT INDEX

PCDuo Logo
Enterprise User Manual


Chapter 1

Introducing PC-Duo Enterprise


PC-Duo Enterprise is a PC network management suite designed to reduce the cost of managing PC desktops and increase their efficiency through pro-active management. It offers interactive and scheduled PC management, using its flexible and powerful Active Host Architecture.

Enterprise gives true integration of PC management functions, based on a common database. With minimal intrusion to users and on desktop performance, it enables you to:

System Requirements

PC-Duo Enterprise Console
Operating System
Windows NT4, 2000, XP or 2003 Server
Additional Software
Microsoft Data Access Component (MDAC) 2.61 Support Kit or later;
Internet Explorer 6.0 or later.
On Windows NT4, you must also install Microsoft Management Console (MMC) 1.2 and Jet 4.0 SP3
Disk Space
85MB
Network Support
Any Microsoft Networking Compatible Environment
Supported Databases
Microsoft Access, Microsoft SQL Server 7 SP3 and 2000, Oracle 8.1.5 or later.
PC-Duo Enterprise Client
Operating System
Windows 95, 98, Me, NT, 2000, XP or 2003 Server
(DOS 3.3 or later and Windows 3.1 are supported by the Enterprise 2.1 Client.)
Disk Space
5MB
Network Support
Any Microsoft Networking compatible environment
PC-Duo Enterprise Portal User
Operating System
Windows 95, 98, ME, NT4 SP6 or higher, 2000, XP or 2003
Additional Software
Internet Explorer 5.5 or later with Javascript, cookies and Active X enabled.Java 1.1.2
PC-Duo Enterprise Portal Server
Operating System
Windows NT Server 4 (SP6), 2000 Server, or 2003 Server
Additional Software
Internet Information Server (IIS). SMTP Server must be accessible to enable email messages.
Disk Space
50MB

Architecture

Enterprise's Active Host Architecture has four major components:

Clients

The Enterprise Client application includes hardware interrogation agents, a customizable user information collection program and Agent software for software distribution. Clients are accessed using shared repositories, called Offline Areas, which can be located on any PC on your network.

For PCs that are never connected to a network, you can collect inventory data on diskette. This can then be transferred to an Offline Area and loaded into the Site using standard Operations.

Consoles

The Enterprise Console defines, manages and processes 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 Schedulers.

Schedulers

Enterprise Schedulers automate the performance of tasks on Client PCs. Schedulers can run as a background application or as a Service.

Site Database

The Site database can be any ODBC-compliant database such as Microsoft Access, Microsoft SQL Server or Oracle. It is typically installed on a file server.

When you have Consoles and Scheduler installed on more than one PC, the database location must be shared to allow access to all Consoles and Schedulers.

The managed Clients do not access the database themselves. All database access is performed by Enterprise Consoles and Schedulers.

Benefits of the Architecture

The Active Host Architecture has several benefits:

Consistent Support for Networked and Non-Networked PCs

Operations are performed through an intermediate server which automatically collects inventory data and transfers instructions to PCs when they are connected to the network. This means that PCs do not have to be permanently connected to a network. In addition, Online Client functionality permits direct access to networked PCs real-time. Console users can perform most Operations without consideration for the type of access involved. For PCs that are never connected to a network, Enterprise also supports a diskette-based auditing facility.

Interactive and Scheduled Use

Enterprise can execute most Operations, interactively and at a scheduled date and time. This enables users to automate regular tasks, and to minimize the effects on the network by scheduling Operations for periods of low usage. At the same time, it gives users the ability to access the latest information when they need it.

Minimum Impact on Network and Servers

Users can limit the number of Jobs which a Scheduler is allowed to process concurrently. This allows you to prevent burst problems when, for example, several urgent Jobs may be submitted together for immediate processing.

You can also limit the frequency at which Client PCs access the server and, because they use data compression, the network load is minimized when data transfers are made.

Maximum Compatibility for Networks

Enterprise uses the standard Microsoft Windows Networking functions used by Windows Explorer. This ensures 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 Operations, the Active Host Architecture is ideal for providing feedback of event and progress information in real-time.

Total Control

Users can stop and reschedule Jobs, or change the list of Client PCs to be processed. All of this, and immediate, real-time management of PCs can be accomplished through the single, consistent user interface of the Enterprise Console.


Vector Logo
Vector Networks
http://www.vector-networks.com
Voice: +44 (0) 1827 67333
Fax: +44 (0) 1827 67068
info@vector-networks.co.uk
TOC PREV NEXT INDEX