You can choose from a number of methods for distributing NetMan Desktop Client in net-work environments. The previous section described how the Client can be distributed by using a network share. This is a practical method, at least for small networks, but it does have some disadvantages:
• The user has to have administrative rights to install the client, or
• An administrator must perform all installations.
Especially for larger networks, we recommend using one of the following two methods instead:
• Use your customary software deployment method to install the NetMan Desktop Cli-ent on all workstations.
• Use the NetMan Desktop Client Distributor (ndcdeploy.exe) for deployment.
The preferred option, particularly in large networks, is to use the NetMan Desktop Client Distributor to install the NetMan Desktop Client. To do this, open the Wizards folder in the Toolbox and select the distributor program.
NetMan Desktop Manager | Version 4.5 Installation | Installation Principles
The NetMan Client Distributor has two methods of detecting and displaying your worksta-tions and terminal servers:
• Reading out the NetBIOS browse list
• Reading out the Active Directory
You can select the desired method in the Client Distributor program settings. The follow-ing example is based on selection of the “Read from Active Directory” method.
When the AD is displayed, navigate to the OU containing the computers on which you wish to install NetMan Desktop Client. Simply select a workstation in your network and select Edit/Check to check whether the NetMan Desktop Client can be installed on that workstation. A green “workstation” icon indicates that the NetMan Desktop Client can be installed here. Select Edit/Install to install the client on this workstation. You can also select the Install and Check commands from the shortcut menu, opened by right-clicking on a workstation. A green dot on a blue workstation icon indicates that the client is already installed. In this case, the version number is shown in parentheses next to the workstation name, followed by the name of the associated server.
If you have a later version than the one indicated, select Edit/Update to update the client on the workstation.
To remove the NetMan Desktop Client from a workstation, select Edit/Deinstall.
You can activate the check or the installation on multiple workstations by selecting the desired workstations first and then activating the “Check” or “Install” command. If you have a small NT domain, you can select the entire domain. For large domains we recom-mend selecting groups of workstations within the domains, just to help you keep track of the process.
NetMan Desktop Manager | Version 4.5 Installation | Installation Principles
The workstation icons indicate station status as follows:
(blue monitor) This workstation has not been checked.
(gray monitor with green arrow) This workstation has been checked; the client can be installed on it.
(blue monitor with white-on-green checkmark) NetMan Desktop Client is already installed on this station. The client version and connected server are shown in parentheses.
(red monitor with white-on-green checkmark) NetMan Desktop Client is already installed on this station, but the program version is outdated.
(gray monitor with red X) Evaluation of the workstation installation failed.
(gray monitor with yellow arrow) This workstation has to be rebooted to complete installation or deinstallation.
Note If.necessary,.you.can.restart.a.workstation.by.selecting.New.from.the.file.
menu..
In a large network, there may be times when the browse list does not show all worksta-tions when using the “Read from NetBIOS browse list” method. This is why NetMan gives you the option of rolling out the client to stations defined by IP addresses.
Note When.stations.are.missing.from.the.network.browse.list,.this.does.not.in-dicate.an.error.in.the.Desktop.Client.Distribution.program;.rather,.it.shows.that.the.network.
browser.in.your.operating.system.does.not.always.function.correctly..
To distribute the NetMan Desktop Client on the basis of client IP addresses, begin by specifying the range of addresses in which you want to roll out the client.
Select the Verify accessibility of host over ICMP option if you want to install only on those stations that respond to an ICMP echo request.
NetMan Desktop Manager | Version 4.5 The First Steps with NetMan Desktop Manager | Installation Principles
The functions for installing, reloading and deinstalling operate in the same manner as for stations listed by name.
Note Keep.in.mind.that.the.NetMan Desktop Client Distributor.program.runs.
under.your.user.account,.and.thus.can.only.access.network.resources.in.which.you.have.ac-cess.rights..For.example,.if.you.do.not.have.permission.to.access.the.workstations’.Admin$.
shares.and.registries,.you.need.run.this.program.under.a.different.account..The.domain.admin-istrator.account.generally.has.the.rights.you.need.to.access.these.resources..Once.you.launch.
the.program,.it.will.also.need.to.access.the.workstations’.Admin$.shares.and.registries..The.
Distributor.cannot.install.the.NetMan.Desktop.Client.on.computers.on.which.the.Admin$.share.
has.been.deactivated..
If you do not have sufficient permissions in the network to run the “Check” or “Install”
command, for example, an error is written in a log file and the corresponding icons are displayed for the workstations in question. The log file contains all messages; new mes-sages are added at the end of the file.
To use login data other than that of your user context, select Edit/User ID. This opens the following dialog:
Please keep in mind that the firewall configurations on your workstations might prevent access to the Admin$ share. Be sure to adjust the firewall settings as needed; for ex-ample, in the group policies.
NetMan Desktop Manager | Version 4.5 The First Steps with NetMan Desktop Manager | Installation Principles