Transcript Systems Management

Systems Management for
Student Computing Facilities
Graham Bouton
Manager, Instructional Technologies
Johns Hopkins University
EDUCAUSE MARC 2003
Copyright 2003 Graham Bouton Johns Hopkins University. This work is the intellectual property of the author. Permission is
granted for this material to be shared for non-commercial, educational purposes, provided that this copyright statement
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What is Systems Management?
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Systems Management = Software tools
and processes that help maintain/update
the integrity of the files and applications
on a desktop computer, and assist in
returning a system to a usable state in
case of a problem.
Imaging = Replicating HD info to multiple
computers & configuring them for use.
Graham Bouton © Johns Hopkins
University 2003
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The Way it Works @ JHU
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Several groups provide “Academic
Computing” resources
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Desktop Computing Services includes:
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Support agreements for departmental workstations
and servers: administrative, academic & clinical
Computer labs (technology & operation)
Computer classrooms (technology, op & support)
Technology classrooms (multimedia A/V equipped)
Graham Bouton © Johns Hopkins
University 2003
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Technical Staffing
For academic labs and classrooms
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1 person : 50 computers : 1 facility
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1 person : 100 computers : 1 facility
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2 people : 150 computers : 4 facilities
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5 people : 500 computers : 25 facilities
Graham Bouton © Johns Hopkins
University 2003
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Operating System History
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DOS / Windows 3.11
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Windows 95 – workstation installs
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Server-based running on NW 3.12
Transition from server-based desktop
management to local workstation management
Windows 2000/XP
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New options for server-based management
(again!)
Graham Bouton © Johns Hopkins
University 2003
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Systems Management Then
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Early workstation/server tools
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GHOST: DOS application for imaging
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Images stored on server
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IPX-based: challenging in large environments
Did not scale well
Incremental changes/updates required re-imaging
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PC-Rdist: Unix-adapted command-line tool
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File compare/restore/copy tool
Difficult to maintain and troubleshoot
No time savings for incremental changes/updates
Graham Bouton © Johns Hopkins
University 2003
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Systems Management Now
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“Enterprise” level applications
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GHOST Enterprise
Altiris Management Suite (Deployment
Server)
Microsoft Systems Management Server (SMS)
Norton Anti-Virus Managed Services (NAV)
Others…
Favorable Academic Prices
Graham Bouton © Johns Hopkins
University 2003
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Our Current Solution
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Altiris Deployment Server provides:
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PC “imaging” capabilities for all Windows
versions, plus Linux & Mac (promised soon)
Software “push” for incremental updates
Centralized management console
Multi-cast support and network friendly
Inventory and reporting capabilities
Component of Dell’s OpenManage Client
Graham Bouton © Johns Hopkins
University 2003
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Deployment Server Results
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In use at JHU for 4 years
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Compared to GHOST
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Evolved from IPX to IP application
DS
DS
DS
DS
was already enterprise-ready
was moving towards IP / multicast
provided centralized control
installation was complex
Significant time savings for new installations
Graham Bouton © Johns Hopkins
University 2003
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Imaging & Configuration
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Approximate time required to image AND
configure 100 PCs
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GHOST = ~ 10 hours
Deployment Server = ~ 1 hour
Have been able to add PCs without more staff required
Incremental “push”
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Can run in the background without reboot
Can also be used to de-install applications
Good for last-minute software requests
Graham Bouton © Johns Hopkins
University 2003
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Network Configuration
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Multicast Enabled
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Labs and classrooms on separate vLAN
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Imaging traffic stays “local”
100Mb connectivity
DHCP
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Fewer configuration problems with DHCP
PXE also an option
Graham Bouton © Johns Hopkins
University 2003
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We’ve had a few problems…
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Performance issues
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Database slowness
Reconfiguration difficulties
Proliferation of Images
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Different hardware, different drivers
Increasing size of images – too much
software!
Graham Bouton © Johns Hopkins
University 2003
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SMS & Altiris
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Both applications can co-exist
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DS clients can appear as SMS clients
SMS has good reporting/inventory
DS can provide imaging capabilities
Microsoft & Altiris are “partners”
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Microsoft Management Summit
Graham Bouton © Johns Hopkins
University 2003
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Mac Client Support
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We use Apple’s Remote Desktop Assistant
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Works well, but not a complete solution
Fewer Macs to manage: 12 PCs : 1 Mac
“Coming Soon” from Altiris
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Extension of existing Linux client support
Likely to be OS X only
Graham Bouton © Johns Hopkins
University 2003
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Future Plans & Ideas
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Provide Terminal Services or Install-On-Demand
for some large applications
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Reduce image size
One-time installation
“Master Image” for all managed PCs
Better predictive failure monitoring
Mobile & Wireless Device Support
Servers?
Graham Bouton © Johns Hopkins
University 2003
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Beyond Altiris…
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Combined, our department manages
6,000+ PCs
Structured Image Review & Testing Process
SMS was already in use
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Well developed, investment in skills & software
SMS has some features lacking in DS
DS has some features lacking in SMS…
Graham Bouton © Johns Hopkins
University 2003
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Systems Management
Overview
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Part of a larger group that manages
6,500 workstations & 300 servers
Systems management has been key to
managing growth and providing
scalability since 1996
10 fold growth over 6 years through
largely voluntary consolidation
Graham Bouton © Johns Hopkins
University 2003
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Organizational Hallmarks
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Keep desktop & server management in the same
group
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Allows “soup to nuts” solutions
Better communication between techs and engineers
A career path – lower staff turnover
Gradual and targeted service specialization,
while maintaining a personal approach to
departmental support
Graham Bouton © Johns Hopkins
University 2003
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Standards vs. Flexibility
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Over time, nearly all clients can benefit from a
some aspects of a ‘managed’ PC.
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An SMS client allows reporting, remote support and
software distribution
A managed NAV client allows centralize update and
reporting of virus patterns and problems
Key configuration standards reduce troubleshooting
time and security breaches
Bypass or provide flexible alternatives to ‘knowledge
workers’ & ‘power users’
Graham Bouton © Johns Hopkins
University 2003
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Server Management
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A server management process, toolset
and strategic direction is key…
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Development of storage management
processes and infrastructure
Proactive monitoring tools on every server
Automated distribution of server updates
Formal Change Control, ongoing
communication forums for technical staff
Graham Bouton © Johns Hopkins
University 2003
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Desktop Management
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Core Desktop Image developed and maintained
by the “Image Group”
Departmental variations build on this image
The process tracks with vendor product cycles
Clients are involved in many of the decisions –
are presented with an open, restricted or
moderately restricted PC.
Service issues are integrated into the technical
process of desktop management
Graham Bouton © Johns Hopkins
University 2003
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Toolsets & Techniques
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SMS – large scale remote support, distribution, reporting,
inventory for several thousand systems
Altiris DS – distribution, image management
Managed NAV – anti-virus updates, reporting
HFNetcheck – for server hotfixes
MOM – Microsoft Operations Monitor, consolidated event
viewer tools, AD monitoring
GroupWise monitor – threshold and event monitoring
geared for a 16,000 user groupwise system
WQuinn – storage, space management
Big Brother, WhatsUP, Insight Manager – SNMP tools for
server monitoring
Openview – consolidate management console – future
Ghost – PC imaging tool
Graham Bouton © Johns Hopkins
University 2003
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Questions / Discussion ?
Thank You!