Simplify client deployment with Argon Technology Client Deployment Services

Argon Technology Client Deployment Services (CDS) provides a flexible, easy- to- use server based, method of deploying new operating systems to clients over a network. CDS uses PXE (Preboot Execution Environment), a network boot protocol that allows systems to start up from a network server instead of from local media. This allows a new system that does not have an operating system installed, or one that has been corrupted, to load a new operating system across the network. By having clients connect to a common server to get their operating system, all the files and configurations are in one central location allowing easier administration. Remote systems can connect to the server, eliminating the need for boot floppies, CD's, memory sticks and travelling to client systems. System administrators can gain significant advantage from CDS. New OS can be rolled out without having to visit client PCs (notebooks, servers) with an installation CD or boot disk, and wait for the new OS to install. Instead, they can deploy Microsoft operating systems like Windows 2000, XP and 2003 from a central location. For more information on PXE see www.pxe.ca

Client Deployment Services uses Microsoft® Windows® Preinstallation Environment (Windows PE). WinPE is a network bootable scaled down version of Windows XP designed specifically for use in OS deployment. It's a powerful replacement from the traditional DOS environment used by network deployment software in the past. With WinPE clients can run Win32 based utilities plus have all the connectivity of WinXP, such as connecting to a secure Windows 2003 server. WinPE is used to start the Windows installation program to install a new copy of Windows on the system. Once the operating system is installed, the system can boot from local media and the network boot is no longer needed.

Windows Preinstallation Environment Overview link: http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/system/winpreinst/WindowsPE_over.mspx

CDS offers fully automated deployment. This is an advantage over other deployment products such as Remote Installation Services (RIS), in that no user intervention is required on the client systems. Windows unattended installation scripts are used to configure the settings on the client.

CDS also supports traditional DOS based networking. This allows programs such as BIOS updates and legacy utilities to be network booted as well.

Unlike other PXE based software, CDS will work in a non-DHCP environment. The CDS Boot Server will provide static DHCP replies to only PXE clients, keeping the security of a static IP address network, while providing the benefits of network booting.

CDS will work with Symantec Ghost™ for deployment of drive images. Ghost32, is available as part of the Symantec Ghost™ Solution Suite.

• Works with PXE-compliant boot ROMs on client PCs
• Contains a PXE Client Boot Disk creator for use with clients that are not PXE compliant
• Self contained solution, does not require any other software or services on the network such as Active Directory, DNS or DHCP
• Can be used as a drop-in service to existing networks by installing CDS on a laptop
• Supports non-DHCP environment
• Supports DOS pre-OS network boot images to perform maintenance tasks on client PCs
• Ability to issue Remote Wake Up commands to client PCs
• Boot Server services can run as native Windows 2000, XP or 2003 system services
• Boot Server applications can run as executables on Windows 2000, XP or 2003
• Allows creation of "menu boot files" that allow client PC users to select from a menu of boot options (e.g. different operating system deployments or client management tasks) at boot time. Menu boot files also support Linux netboot images
• Simple, user-friendly application interface includes wizards that guide you through creating boot image files for OS deployment, pre-OS, and remote booting
• Quick and easy verification of network boot functionality with default OS-absent boot image

Due to WinPE licencing, CDS is only available on CD.