Tools for Managing & Deploying Public Computing Environments

Nick BrownInstructional Technology Computer SpecialistInformation Technology Assistance CenterKansas State University

Overview of Central Computing Labs at K-State

Total of 414 Computers212 in Library Infocommons

174 PCs16 PCs in the Media Development Center22 Mac

202 divided among 12 computer labs throughout campusAdditional 60 Laptops for Checkout

Mac and PC

Technology Classrooms and Studios

281 Computers10 PC studio classrooms2 Mac studio classrooms48 Podium computers – Mac and PC

Computer ManagementLifecycleInventory ManagementHardware MaintenanceSupportAccess ControlImaging ProcessImage MaintenanceManaging PrintingAuditingPower ManagementCurrent Initiatives

Lifecycle

3 year rollover cycle for computers1/3 of computers replaced per yearOld computers given away to needy departments when replacedClassrooms replaced in December, Labs in August

Hardware Maintenance

2 Dell certified techniciansWarranty parts received by noon next dayMinimizes downtime

Apple certified shop in department10 student hours per week dedicated to cleaning labs

Support

Staffed 7am-10pm Mon-Thur. 7-5 Fri.24/7 cell phone support for major issues and all classroom callsHelpdesk staffed 8am-midnight and weekendsChecks twice per day to fill paperHP Webjet monitor allows monitor of paper and toner levelsPrinters set to email when issues occurRemedy used to track issues

Inventory Management

Custom designed Access DatabaseShowing it’s ageProposal to buy real inventory management system for all of ITS

Barcodes for all PCs, printers, and desksAllows for easy association of PC/Monitor to a locationBarcode scanner reads into an excel spreadsheet which can be imported into the database

Access Management

Active Directory handles AuthenticationInfocommons, Classrooms, and Studios autologin

Ease of usePublic access

Macs in Infocommons autologon to a Mac Server2 Macs in Union that use AD for authentication

Imaging

Over 200 pieces of softwareOver 50 different imagesOver 1 TB of compressed image files per semesterImage both Macs and PCs in labs every semester

Image creation begins in April for Summer DeploymentMost deployments happen in August due to software release cyclesWinter releases are mostly updates and patches

Image Creation Tools

WikiContains list of all images and software for each imageList of contacts for each piece of softwareInstallation instructions for all softwareLicense keys in a central place

File server hosting .iso files of all software on CDMagicDisk – free .iso mounter

PC Image Deployment

PCs are imaged using Symantec GhostMulti-cast enabled in most environmentsGhost client retains computers’ old information and restores it after imagingComputers in areas that are not multicast capable are usually brought back and imaged on the bench

1 – 16 Port USB KVM1 – 8 Port KVM2 – 24 Port Gigabit switches5TB Imaging Server

Mac Image Deployment

Macs are imaged using Deploy StudioCan handle both Mac and PC imagesOnly have Unicast working, multicast capableWe do not dual boot any Macs

Image MaintenanceFaronics DeepFreeze

Mac and Windows compatibleComputers are reset to the base state after rebootingSpecial partition for Antivirus updates to be installed while frozenMaintenance mode

Allows computers to be thawed to install Windows updates - 2am Saturday morningsAbility to specify WSUS server to get updates from

Console allows remote management of clientsThaw/FreezeUpdate configurations/maintenance windows

Image Maintenance Continued

Active Directory Group PolicyLock down user actions

Restrict software installationRestrict changing background images

UltraVNCProvide User assistance in Technology ClassroomsLog into computers remotely to perform installs from network or internet

Apple Remote DesktopRemote management and software installs for Mac

Print Management

Printing is controlled by Pharos print services$10 free printing per semester$.10/page or $.18/double-sided page b&wColor printing available in Media Development Center

Printing defaults to double-sidedSaves approximately 50,000 sheets of paper per month

Auditing

Sassafras K2Mac and PC compatibleClient on each computer reports what software is installed and how often it’s runTracks user logons

Aid in police investigationsInform users that have used compromised computers

Allows “keying” of applications to maintain license restrictionsAbility to generate software usage reports

65% Browser26% Commodity software (Office suites)

Power Management

FY10 – Set monitors in Library to sleep after 5 minutes

Saved approximately $8,000* in energy costs in a yearNo adverse impacts reported

*Calculated by Energy Star Savings Calculator – Displays found at http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=bulk_purchasing.bus_purchasing

Faronics PowerSave

Purchasing for FY11Allows very granular control of PC power settings

Different power settings based on time and dayDifferent settings based on what group the computer is inIntegrates with DeepFreeze to wakeup computers for maintenanceRemote wakeup/sleep/shutdown of computersManaged from a central console

Windows 7

ProsIncreased security with UACStableSupport Life-cycleBetter Power ManagementSidebar Gadgets for information display

ConsIncompatible with some older programsUAC causes installation problemsOld “tricks” from XP no longer work

Microsoft System Center

Software deploymentPatch managementHardware and software auditingRemote support

Unsolved Mysteries

Active Desktop CrashUsed to display information

Special notices from Central ITLibrary RSS Feed

Trend Micro disconnecting internet access

QUESTIONS?