2-Desktop and Workstation Management

Page 1: Title

  • AFRICA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY

  • Desktop and Workstation Management

Page 2: Important Issues for Customers

  • Locality:

    • Workstation must be available where and when needed.

  • Reliability:

    • Essential for workspaces. Factors include hardware quality and timely software/firmware updates.

    • Quick repair options are necessary for maintaining reliability.

  • Productivity:

    • Users must experience minimal obstructions in their work.

    • Importance of fluid access to features and services.

  • User Agency:

    • Users should have control over their environment, allowing for creative potential.

    • Need flexibility in application installation.

  • Currentness:

    • Speed of updates when new features are released is critical.

  • Fungibility:

    • Ensures that any unit can substitute for another, promoting operational efficiency.

Page 3: Workstation Architecture

  • Hardware:

    • Differentiation between physical workstations (desktop, laptop, tablet) and virtual workstations.

  • Operating System:

    • Options include single OS vs. multiple OS platforms like Windows, macOS, and Linux.

  • Network Configuration:

    • Connections via wired (Ethernet) or wireless (Wi-Fi).

    • Dynamic configuration through DHCP includes passing parameters such as IP address, subnet mask, gateway, and DNS.

    • Static configuration might be necessary for servers and printers.

    • Hybrid configuration: local definitions with DHCP updates.

Page 4: Workstation Architecture Continued

  • Accounts and Authorization:

    • Importance of local vs. central databases for account storage.

      • Unix: /etc/passwd, /etc/group;

      • Windows: Security Accounts Manager (SAM).

  • Data Storage Configurations:

    • Local storage: embedded on the machines.

    • Stateless storage: OS only; user files store on a network server.

    • Diskless storage: No local disk; data stored remotely using iSCSI or NFS protocols.

  • OS Updates:

    • Regular checks to ensure security and functionality.

    • Challenges of theft and malware, necessitating logging practices.

Page 5: Workstation Hardware Strategies

  • Physical Workstations:

    • Comparison of laptops vs desktops.

  • Vendor Selection:

    • Importance of choosing ideal vendors and production line equipment.

  • Virtual Desktop Infrastructure:

    • Considerations include cost reduction and maintenance.

    • Persistent vs non-persistent environments are significant.

  • Bring Your Own Device (BYOD):

    • Evaluation of pros, cons, security implications, and usability.

Page 6: Workstation Software Lifecycle

  • Life Cycle of a Machine:

    • Includes OS installation and configuration.

  • Configuration Management Systems:

    • Use of tools like Microsoft Group Policy Objects and DHCP configurations.

  • Package Installation:

    • Methods of updating system software and applications.

  • Disposal of Machines:

    • Procedures for accounting and secure decommissioning, ensuring data protection.

Page 7: States of Machines

  • New:

    • Clean installation of OS without configuration.

  • Configured:

    • Set up correctly for operational environments.

  • Unknown:

    • Issues with machine configuration or condition.

  • Off:

    • Machines that are retired or surplus.

Page 8: Hardware Pre-deployment Process

  • RMA Process:

    • Return Merchandise Authorization for faulty hardware.

  • Receiving and Inspection:

    • Conducting physical checks on contents and documentation.

  • Updating BIOS:

    • Essential for optimum functionality.

  • Testing Hardware:

    • Storing updates in a library; documenting failures.

  • Deployment Steps:

    • Record MAC address, assign to switch port authorization, label assets, register hardware, and set up for notifications.

Page 9: OS Installation Strategies

  • Consistency:

    • Importance of uniform installation processes.

  • Installation Strategies:

    • Options include automation, cloning, manual methods.

    • Test-driven configuration development.

  • Vendor Support:

    • Evaluating trust in vendor installations.

Page 10: Workstation Service Definition

  • Basic Definitions:

    • Clarifying service levels and approach definitions.

  • Application Selection:

    • Importance of aligning services with customer needs.

  • Asset Management:

    • Aligning workstation management with depreciation cycles and formalized policies for tiered support.

Page 11: Workstation Fleet Logistics

  • Employee Perception:

    • The visible aspects of workstations.

  • Logistics Teams:

    • Collaboration between purchasing, preparation, delivery, platform, network, tools, and project management teams.

  • Configuration Management Database (CMDB):

    • Role of CMDB in maintaining fleet logistics.

Page 12: Workstation Standardization

  • Involvement of Customers:

    • Importance of early engagement in the standardization process.

  • Agile Development:

    • Releasing early and iterating based on feedback.

  • Transition Management:

    • Planning cut-off dates and adapting to corporate culture.

Page 13: State Transitions

  • Setup Procedures:

    • Build, install OS, initialize and configure for the environment.

  • Updating:

    • Install new software, patch, and change configurations as needed.

Page 14: Why Automate Installs?

  • Efficiency:

    • Time-saving benefits; ability to multitask during installation.

  • Consistency:

    • Reduces error, ensuring stable configurations across installations.

  • Recovery:

    • Faster system restoration compared to manual methods.

Page 15: Trusting Vendor Installation

  • Best Practices:

    • Always reload the OS for configurations pertaining to specific needs.

    • Ongoing challenge of vendor OS image updates over time.

Page 16: Install Types

  • Hard Disk Imaging:

    • Pros: Speed; Cons: Need for identical hardware setups.

  • Scripted Installs:

    • Flexible for different systems but more complex to set up initially.

Page 17: Auto-Install Features

  • Unattended and Concurrent Installs:

    • Minimal human interaction required; multiple installations can occur simultaneously.

  • Scalability:

    • Ease of addition for new clients.

  • Flexibility:

    • Configurable for various installation types based on needs.

Page 18: Auto-Install Components

  • Boot Components:

    • Media types include floppy and CD.

  • Network Setup:

    • Necessary for DHCP and install data configurations.

Page 19: PXE Preboot eXecution Environment

  • Functionality:

    • Network-based booting through PXE BIOS to load kernels.

  • Process:

    • DHCP request and configuration setup for filesystem booting.

Page 20: Disk Imaging Process

  • Setup Procedure:

    • Establish an FTP server, install OS image, verify, and deploy clients to pull images from server.

Page 21: Using g4u Install

  • Installation Process:

    • Uploading/installing images to/from server with g4u tools.

Page 22: Disk Imaging Tools

  • List of Tools:

    • Acronis TrueImage, Clonezilla, g4u, Symantec GHOST, System Imager.

Page 23: Kickstart Components

  • Fundamental Elements:

    • Bootable media, network server for installation, and Kickstart configurations.

Page 24: Kickstart Components Overview

  • Key Components:

    • Relationship of DHCP server, target machine, and source machine in installation processes.

Page 25: Source Machine Setup

  • Procedural Tasks:

    • Start network services, copy installation media, create configuration files.

Page 26: Kickstart Configuration File

  • File Descriptions:

    • Disk partition setup, network configurations, package selections, and customization scripts.

Page 27: Kickstart Configurator Overview

  • Configuration Options:

    • Various settings and options catering to system needs such as language, packages, root password, firewall settings.

Page 28: Configuration Options Detailed

  • Security and Network Settings:

    • Options for authentication method, network configuration, and disk partitioning.

Page 29: Performing a Kickstart Install

  • Process Overview:

    • Boot using installation media and specify location for Kickstart file.

Page 30: Auto-Install Tools

  • Listing of Tools:

    • DrakX, FAI, Preseed, Jumpstart, and Kickstart for various OS platforms.

Page 31: Software Update Difficulties

  • Challenges:

    • Issues with updates without physical access, changes in host states, and users present during updates.

Page 32: One, Some, Many Approach to Updates

  • Testing Updates:

    • Gradual testing methodology to mitigate risks. Test on individual systems before a larger rollout.

Page 33: Network Configuration and DHCP Benefits

  • Advantages of DHCP:

    • Managed configurations simplify renumbering networks.

    • HVAC can accommodate both dynamic and static IP assignments.

Page 34: Key Points: Being a Sysadmin

  • Attributes Required:

    • Customer orientation, technical knowledge, and efficient time management.

  • Lifecycle Management:

    • Emphasis on understanding and managing the various states of desktops and installations.

  • Automation Insights:

    • Automated installs save time and promote consistency across implementations.

  • Update Strategies:

    • One, Some, Many approach to ensure effective software management.

Page 35: Review Questions

  • Prompt for self-assessment

    • Reflect on core concepts covered in earlier pages.