Altiris Getting Started

Altiris® 6.0Getting Started Guide

Notice

Copyright © 2003- 2004 Altiris Inc. All rights reserved.

Product Version: 6.0

Document Date: July 23, 2004

Bootworks U.S. Patent No. 5,764,593.

RapiDeploy U.S. Patent No. 6,144,992.

Due to the inherently complex nature of computer software, Altiris does not warrant that the Altiris software is error-free, will operate without interruption, is compatible with all equipment and software configurations, or will otherwise meet your needs.

The content of this documentation is furnished for informational use only, is subject to change without notice, and should not be construed as a commitment by Altiris. Altiris Inc. assumes no responsibility or liability for any errors or inaccuracies that may appear in this documentation. For the latest information, visit our Web site at www.altiris.com.

Altiris, the Altiris logo, BootWorks, Inventory Solution, LabExpert, PC Transplant, RapiDeploy, and RapidInstall are registered trademarks of Altiris, Inc. in the United States.

Carbon Copy is a registered trademark licensed to Altiris, Inc. in the United States and a trademark of Altiris, Inc. in other countries.

Altiris eXpress, Altiris Vision, Application Management Solution, Application Metering Solution, Asset Control Solution, Asset Management Suite, Client Management Suite, Compliance Toolkit, Conflict Analysis Solution, Contract Management Solution, Deployment Server, Deployment Solution, Education Management Suite, Helpdesk, Helpdesk Solution, HP Client Manager Software, Lab Management Suite, Migration Toolkit, Mobile Client for SMS, My IT Forum, Notification Server, Problem Management Suite, Server Management Suite, Server Monitor Solution, Site Monitor Solution, Software Delivery Solution, TCO Management Solution, Unix Client for SMS, Unix Inventory Solution, Unix Software Deliver Solution, Web Admin for SMS, Web Reports and other product names are trademarks of Altiris, Inc. in the United States and other countries.

Microsoft, Windows, and the Windows logo are trademarks, or registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.

HP is a registered trademark of the Hewlett-Packard Corporation.

Compaq is a registered trademark of the Hewlett-Packard Corporation.

Macintosh is a registered trademark of the Apple Computer Corporation.

All other brand names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.

Altiris 6.0 Getting Started Guide 2

http://www.altiris.com

Contents

Altiris® 6.0Getting Started Guide

Notice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Preface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5Document Conventions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5Terminology Changes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5“Web Administration Console” is now “Altiris Console” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Chapter 1: Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7Who is Altiris? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7What are Altiris Solutions and Suites? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7What is Complete Lifecycle Management? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Asset Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8Client and Mobile Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8Server Provisioning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8Connectors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

So What is the Altiris Infrastructure? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9Altiris Console . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Altiris Console (formerly Web Administration Console) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9Resource Manager Console . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10Handheld Interfaces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Altiris Server . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10Notification Server . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10Deployment Server . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10Helpdesk Server . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11Package Server . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11Recovery Server . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Altiris Agents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11Altiris Database . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Chapter 2: Installing Altiris Notification Server . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13Step 1 – Setup a Computer to be the Notification Server . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13Step 2 – Get Altiris Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14Step 3 – Run the Software Prerequisite Wizard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15Step 4 – Install the Required Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Install SQL Server 2000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16Install Microsoft .NET Framework . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16Install Microsoft ASP.Net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16Install Microsoft Internet Information Services (IIS) and File Transfer Protocol (FTP) . . . . . . . 17


Contents
Install Other Required Software Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Step 5 - Install the Altiris Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17Step 6 – Configure the Altiris Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18Step 7 – Install Solutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Manually Install Solutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19Step 8 - Install Solution Licenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19Step 9 – Deploy Altiris Agent to Computers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Altiris Agent Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20Pushing the Altiris Agent to a Client Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21Pulling the Altiris Agent to a Client Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

What Next? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Chapter 3: Where Can I Get More Information? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24


Preface

Before using this documentation, we recommend that you review the document conventions.

Document ConventionsThe following table describes the conventions used in this document.

Terminology ChangesImportant: Please note the following terminology changes. In this beta release, most of the documentation uses the new terminology; however some of the Altiris Console elements such as report names, policies names, collection names and so on may not be updated in this release to use the new terminology.

Document Conventions

What you see MeaningAltiris Getting Started Guide

References to other documents are italicized.

Interface Element Name Buttons, menu items, tabs, and field names are displayed in bold text.File > Save A series of mouse selections are represented in this format. The above

example means click on the File command on the menu bar, and then click on the Save command.

server name/altiris/documents

A value in a path that depends on the user’s system is in italics. In this example, server name needs to be replaced by the name of the user’s server.

set variable = 123 Sample code is in Courier font.www.altiris.com Links to web pages are in blue text.

Old Term New Termadvertisement software delivery taskAltiris Notification Server User Guide Altiris Notification Server Helpclient (meaning client computer or client device) client computer, client deviceclient (meaning client/agent software) Altiris Agentclient (meaning Altiris-enabled device) Altiris-enabled device. Deployment Server Deployment Infrastructure. (Deployment Server is only used

to refer to the Deployment Server component of the Deployment Infrastructure.)

event (in Deployment Solution) jobevent (in old Notification Sever terminology) task

Note: The computer system still has system events.


http://www.altiris.com

Preface

“Web Administration Console” is now “Altiris Console”The primary way to interact with the Altiris Infrastructure and Altiris solutions is through the new “Altiris Console”. The Altiris Console includes tabs for “Getting Started”, “Tasks”, “Collections”, “Reports”, and “Configuration”. When Altiris solutions are installed, the features of the solutions (such as tasks, collections, and reports) are placed in the appropriate tabs in the Altiris Console. For information on how to use the new Altiris Console, see “Altiris Console” in the Altiris Notification Server Help.

event handler automated actionNotification Helpdesk Alert ManagerNotification Policy Notification Policy — Notification Policy doesn’t change;

however, most actions are “tasks”. Notification Server (to mean the overall Altiris Infrastructure)

Altiris Infrastructure. (Notification Server is only used to refer to the Notification Server component.) “Altiris Infrastructure” is a generic term for all the installed Altiris components which may include a Notification System (comprised of the web-based Altiris Console, one or more Notification Servers, Notification Databases, Package Servers, and Altiris Agents) a Deployment System (comprised of one or more Deployment Servers, a Deployment Database, a PXE Server, and related Altiris Agents) a Recovery System (comprised of one or more Recovery Servers, Recovery Database, and related Altiris Agents) and Altiris solutions.

NS Client Altiris AgentResource Explorer Resource ManagerWeb Administration Console Altiris Console

Old Term New Term


Chapter 1:

Overview

Who is Altiris?Altiris is a company that has developed integrated products which address technology lifecycle management needs and also has software for education and lab environments. Altiris offers the broadest set of management solutions for Windows of any systems management vendor. By offering management capabilities across multiple platforms including Windows, UNIX, Linux, Macintosh, Pocket PC, Palm, and RIM, Altiris reduces administration and training costs.

Altiris’s objective is to reduce the cost and complexity of owing and managing your IT assets—and to help you get there as painlessly as possible. Whether it is client and mobile management, asset management, or server procurement—or any combination of these—Altiris has what you need now. And as your IT and asset management needs change, Altiris will be there to meet those needs.

What are Altiris Solutions and Suites?Altiris solutions are applications that use components of and extend the functionality of the Altiris Infrastructure to let administrators move from the role of performing tasks to the role of defining policies that automate tasks. These policies activate components that are used to process and store inventory data, host Web pages, forward data to SMS, and many other tasks. This simplifies the administration of systems management in the distributed network environment.

Altiris suites are bundles of Altiris solutions that address a particular aspect of technology lifecycle.

What is Complete Lifecycle Management?


Chapter 1: Overview What is Complete Lifecycle Management?
Altiris lifecycle management addresses these core IT needs:
• Asset Management• Client and Mobile Management• Server ProvisioningAltiris’ intuitive manageability suites and solutions are the only interactive tools that provide full lifecycle management in a complete line of Web-enabled solutions.

Altiris provides flexibility and confidence for its customers who invest in today and plan for the future. Select the suites or individual solutions you need today, and then as additional needs arise, add others to the Web-based, Altiris Infrastructure.

Asset ManagementYou need solutions that quickly discover and provide ongoing tracking of the assets that exist throughout you enterprise. Where are they located? Who is using them and how often? How much does each cost the company to manage and support?

Altiris delivers the most tightly integrated and comprehensive asset management solution for discovering, tracking, and supporting all assets—including corporate contracts and leases—so you can control costs and improve business practices throughout your enterprise.

Altiris’ simple, Web-based infrastructure allows you to quickly implement and begin tracking and supporting you corporate assets. All IT and fixed assets, corporate contracts, and lease data reside in the same repository for simplified management and reporting. Altiris provides integrated IT asset management including service request and SLA management, contract management, fixed asset tracking, depreciation, integration with financial systems, automated inventory and application metering, and TCO reporting.

And Altiris’ Web-based infrastructure provides accessibility and manageability from anywhere, even from handheld devices. The result is a substantial savings, because you don’t have to re-architect your network or purchase additional hardware.

Client and Mobile ManagementAltiris offers the most complete IT management for desktop computers (including Windows and Macintosh), and mobile notebook computers and handheld devices (Pocket PC, Palm, RIM, GOOD, and phones). Altiris supports the entire lifecycle—from bare-metal to hands-free PC Migration prior to repurposing or retirement of the computer. For mobile users, Altiris supports complex data, file, e-mail, and PIM synchronization, as well as software delivery, remote control, and client recovery. Altiris can even manage your custom line of business (LOty3eB) applications from package delivery to self healing.

Server ProvisioningWith the evolution of server hardware and the advent of blade computing, organizations must respond more quickly to rapidly changing business requirements. Altiris reduces the complexity of operating your server infrastructure by providing comprehensive provisioning that includes automated deployment, patch management, desired-state management, and recovery for servers, including the network fabric.

Altiris offers a complete line of server management functions for Windows, UNIX/Linux, and network devices and switches including deployment, inventory, recovery, and so on. Altiris integrates network and server provisioning with support for inventory for network devices and topology, deployment for network switches, including VLANs and VIP addresses, and site monitoring for dynamic provisioning.

Using Altiris suites and solutions, you can automate management of your server infrastructure, improve availability, and reduce costs.


Chapter 1: Overview So What is the Altiris Infrastructure?
ConnectorsAltiris’ growing list of connectors for third-party products includes HP OpenView, Remedy Help Desk. Microsoft Active Directory, and others. Connectors save you money by avoiding costly system integration projects, and enable you to leverage existing business processes.
So What is the Altiris Infrastructure?“Altiris Infrastructure” is a generic term for all the installed Altiris components which may include a Notification System (comprised of the web-based Altiris Console, one or more Notification Servers, Notification Databases, Package Servers, and Altiris Agents) a Deployment System (comprised of one or more Deployment Servers, a Deployment Database, a PXE Server, and related Altiris Agents) a Recovery System (comprised of one or more Recovery Servers, Recovery Database, and related Altiris Agents) and Altiris solutions.

The Altiris Console, Altiris Server, Altiris Agent, and Altiris Database are the foundation of the Altiris Infrastructure and of Altiris’ lifecycle management software. The Altiris Infrastructure provides the common the Web-based management functions that our solutions use. Using the Altiris Infrastructure with Altiris solutions, you can manage network resources such as Windows and Linux servers; Windows, UNIX, Linux, and Macintosh client computers (including desktop-, notebook- and handheld computers); mobile devices, and much more.

Altiris ConsoleThe “Altiris Console” (generic) is the web-based user interface that is the primary mechanism for interacting with the Altiris Infrastructure, its components, and for managing resources. The generic term “Altiris Console” may be used for multiple consoles including: Altiris Console (which interacts with the Notification System), Deployment Server Console, Deployment Solution Console, and Resource Manager Console.

Altiris Console (formerly Web Administration Console)


The “Altiris Console” is the web-based user interface that is the primary mechanism for interacting with the Altiris Infrastructure components, and for managing resources. The Altiris Console has multiple “tabs” or “tab views” which facilitate using various Altiris solutions.
The web-based Altiris Console is the primary console for Altiris solutions. It lets you:

• Add or remove solutions• Configure policies• Configure, schedule, and view reports• Schedule tasksThe Altiris Console helps administrators, managers, help desk personnel, and others quickly perform the tasks for which they are responsible. The Altiris Console can be and run from a server, a desktop computer, or a notebook computer using Internet Explorer 5.0 or higher.

Note: The Altiris Console replaces the Web Administration Console.

Resource Manager Console The “Resource Manager” is the Altiris console that displays detailed resource, inventory, properties, and current state information. Resource Manager is used to troubleshoot and instigate actions on individual managed resources.

Note: The Resource Manager Console replaces the Resource Explorer View.

Handheld InterfacesSeveral Altiris products include interfaces for handheld devices which administrators and user access may use with Windows CE or Pocket PC devices.

Altiris Server“Altiris Server” is a generic term to describe the set of servers that participate as part of the Altiris Infrastructure and the services provided by those servers. The Altiris Infrastructure includes at least one Notification Server, and some Altiris solutions include special-purpose servers such as Deployment Servers, Package Servers, PXE Servers, and Recovery Servers. The Altiris Server software can be installed on a single computer or distributed among multiple computers to provide flexible scaling of the Altiris components to meet your organizations needs. When arranged in a hierarchy, Altiris Servers may act as “primary”, “secondary” or “reporting” servers.

Installing multiple servers onto the same computer increases the computer’s processor, RAM, and free hard disk space requirements and may increase the response time.

Supporting thousands of client computers from only one Altiris Server may adversely impact the performance.

Notification ServerThe Notification Server is the primary server installed in the Notification System and is responsible for coordinating the various solutions, providing the primary user interface, policy-based administration, reporting and notification. In addition to acting as a primary or secondary server in a hierarchy, a Notification Server can also be designated as a Reporting Server which is only used for generating and displaying enterprise-wide reports.

Deployment ServerA “Deployment Server” is the Altiris software component that is installed by Deployment Solution and provides imaging, personality migration, software delivery, and other real-time tasks that may be bandwidth intensive.


Helpdesk ServerA “Helpdesk Server” is a Notification Server that has additional functionality installed by Helpdesk Solution. The Helpdesk Server is responsible for managing Helpdesk work items, service requests, and the knowledge base.
Package ServerA “Package Server” is a file server with Altiris software installed where the Altiris Infrastructure automatically replicates software packages so they can be accessed by Altiris-enabled computers. Package Servers are typically distributed so that they are close to the computers that will be accessing them.

Distributing packages using packages servers can reduces the load on the Altiris Server and reduces network traffic, because the Altiris-managed computers download from the closest Package Server. You can create any number of Package Servers. We recommend that you have at least one Package Server in each location of your company.

Recovery Server

The “Recovery Server” is the special-purpose server component installed with Recovery Solution and is responsible for managing the recovery functions.

Altiris AgentsAltiris uses an integrated set of cooperating agents to provide Altiris management capabilities so only the needed agents are installed on the managed resources. By using this modular approach, as we develop or acquire new technologies, the new functionality can be integrated with minimal impact or risk to the stability of the existing agent code.

The “Altiris Agent”(formerly called the Notification Server Client or NS Client) is the primary agent that provides shared functionality, such as providing a common transport mechanism, and provides the user interface for changing settings on the end-user computer. The Altiris Agent also provides the core (bootstrap) capabilities for installing and managing various solution-specific agents. (Each solution may add an additional agent or agents to add specific capabilities to the base functionality.)

We have developed the Altiris Agent to:

• Reduce the in-memory footprint. Only the listener is memory resident and the bulk of the agent code resides on disk waiting for a request or operation to perform.

• Use the same identifying attributes across all Altiris Agents.• Use consistent user interface dialogs and fit into a single Altiris Agent user interface. Note:

Common code is carried in both the Altiris Agent (formerly know as the NS Client) and Deployment Agent (formerly know as AClient).

• Display only one reference to Altiris > Agent in the Start menu. • Allow the administrator to control whether/how the agent is visible in the system tray. The

administrator can choose which (if any) icons they want to display in the system tray on the managed resource.

• Provide consistent agent naming.

Altiris Database“Altiris Database” is the information collected by the Altiris Infrastructure and and Altiris Solutions. The Altiris Database is a generic term used to describe all databases (Deployment Database, Helpdesk Database, Notification Database, and Recovery Database) used by the Altiris Infrastructure.

We recommend using a Microsoft SQL database such as Microsoft SQL Server 7 SP3+, Microsoft SQL Server 2000 SP2 for the Altiris database. If you do not have a Microsoft SQL database server, Microsoft MSDE can be used for the database.


The Altiris Database is very flexible and can be on one computer or distributed among multiple computers to provide a responsive database system for your organization. When the Notification System is installed, the Notification Database is installed. Several Altiris solutions include special-purpose databases. For example, Deployment Solution has a Deployment Database for each Deployment installation and Recovery Solution has a Recovery Database.
Note: MSDE is bundled with Notification Server so there is no additional cost. MSDE does not come with tools to help manage the database. It also limits access to the database to five concurrent connections.


Chapter 2:

Installing Altiris Notification Server

Choose one of the options below to begin the process of installing the Altiris software. You must install and configure a Notification Server before you can install other Altiris solutions.

To set up the Notification Server

• For detailed instructions on installing and configuring the Notification Server, see the Altiris Notification Server Help.

• For basic, quick-start instructions on installing and configuring the Notification Server, go to “Step 1 – Setup a Computer to be the Notification Server” on page 13.

Step 1 – Setup a Computer to be the Notification Server Make sure the computer you are going to install the Altiris Infrastructure’s Notification System on meets or exceeds the following hardware requirements and software requirements.

IMPORTANT: You cannot install Notification Server on a computer that is functioning as a Domain Controller. Notification Server sets up local groups during installation and local groups cannot be created on a computer that is functioning as a Domain Controller.

HardwareTo scale the server to support thousands of computers, we recommend faster processors and more memory.

SoftwareIf you plan to use SQL Server as the database for Notification Server, be sure to install it prior to running the Software Prerequisites Wizard. The wizard will check for a SQL database and if one is not present, you will be asked to install MSDE.

IMPORTANT: If you are upgrading from Notification Server 5.x, we recommend that you double the size of your database before you proceed with the installation. The Notification Database now supports double-byte characters.

Minimum Requirements

Hardware DescriptionProcessor • Pentium III 800 MHz or higherRAM • 1 GBFile System • NTFS system partitionDisk Space • 105 MB for Notification Server and components

• 1 GB for SQL Server database.


http://www.altiris.com/support/documentation

Chapter 2: Installing Altiris Notification Server Step 2 – Get Altiris Software
Note: The MSDE database may be used; however, we do not recommend it for a production environment.
Altiris ConsoleThe Altiris Console is the interface for Notification Server. You can run the Altiris Console from any computer on the network that fits the following requirements:

• Windows 2000/XP/2003 or Windows NT with SP 6a (or later) • Internet Explorer 6 (or later)

Step 2 – Get Altiris SoftwareThe Altiris Infrastructure™ is a web-based infrastructure that helps you manage your network and non-network resources. Altiris suites and solutions plug-in to the Altiris Infrastructure, which provides the tools to manage a specific area of the IT technology life cycle.

The Altiris Infrastructure’s Notification Server, Notification Database, and Altiris Agent will install through the use of an install wizard. When you download an Altiris product, the zipped files contains the Install Wizard (NSInstallWiz.exe) which will launch the Software Prerequisite Wizard. The wizard determines if the computer you are going to install the Notification Server on meets all the software requirements. If needed, the required files can be downloaded and installed to the computer.

Altiris suites and solutions are available for download and evaluation from the Altiris Download Site. The zipped file you file you download contains the Install Wizard (NSInstallWiz.exe) which is an executable file that will launch the Software Prerequisite Wizard. The wizard will examine the computer that you want to install the basic Altiris Infrastructure elements (Notification Server, Notification Database, Altiris Agent) on to make sure it meets the software requirements to support the Altiris Infrastructure.

To download Altiris software• Go to the Altiris web site at www.altiris.com and click the Download tab.

Software Requirements

Software DescriptionOperating System • Windows Server 2003

• Windows 2000 Server SP2 or laterSQL Database • Microsoft SQL Server 2000 SP3 (recommended)

• Microsoft MSDE (approved)Microsoft Windows Internet Information Services (IIS)

• Microsoft IIS 5.0 (requires the Web server to be hosted on NTFS). This component is not installed by default with Windows 2000 or later. For Windows 2003, ASPNET needs to be enabled.

Microsoft Data Access Control - MDAC 2.7

• Ensure MDAC (Microsoft Data Access Control) 2.7 is installed. To do this, look in your registry under HKLM\Software\Microsoft\DataAccess. Look at the value of the Version key to see the MDAC version installed.

Microsoft .NET Framework 1.1

• Notification Server uses Microsoft .NET Framework 1.1.

Web Browser • Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0 or later


Chapter 2: Installing Altiris Notification Server Step 3 – Run the Software Prerequisite Wizard
Step 3 – Run the Software Prerequisite Wizard
Your computer must meet the hardware and software requirements before you can install Altiris Infrastructure. As part of the installation process, the Software Prerequisite Wizard examines your computer to determine if all required software is present. If required software components are missing, you will be prompted to install the necessary files before you can proceed. The wizard will display a confirmation message when all software requirements are met.

1 Click NSInstallWiz.exe to start the Software Prerequisite Wizard.Note: The NSInstallWiz.exe and the NSInstallHelper_EN.dll must be in the same folder.

2 Click Next.The wizard will ask if you want to install Notification Server on this computer.

3 If you are sure you want to install the Altiris Infrastructure on the computer; click Yes, and then Next.

4 If the wizard finds all prerequisite software present on the computer, the following screen appears.

Click Finish and go to “Step 5 - Install the Altiris Software” on page 17 to continue with the Notification Server software install.


Chapter 2: Installing Altiris Notification Server Step 4 – Install the Required Software
5 If the wizard finds the computer does not meet the software requirements, the Required Software
page will display a list of missing software. Go to “Step 4 – Install the Required Software” on page 16.

Step 4 – Install the Required SoftwareImportant: If you have been directed to this step, you must install the software in the Required Software page on the computer before you can install the Altiris Infrastructure’s Notification Server and Notification Database on the computer.

If you are unsure of the requirements, you can click in the Help column on the Details link for more information.

Install SQL Server 2000If Microsoft Database Engine is included in the list of files that need to be installed, install Microsoft SQL Server 2000.

Important: Do not download and install the MSDE or SQL 7 Server. The Notification Database will not configure properly on MSDE or SQL 7 Server.

Install Microsoft .NET FrameworkIf the Microsoft .NET Framework is included in the list of files that need to be installed, do the following:

1 Run the Prerequisites Wizard.2 Download Microsoft .NET Framework redistribution package.3 Install Microsoft .NET Framework redistribution package.

Installing the Microsoft .NET Framework may take several minutes.

Install Microsoft ASP.NetIf ASP.Net is included in the list of files that need to be installed, do the following:

1 If the Microsoft .NET Framework is installed, uninstall it.2 Run the Install Wizard (NSInstallWiz.exe) again.3 Download Microsoft .NET Framework redistribution package.4 Install Microsoft .NET Framework redistribution package.


Chapter 2: Installing Altiris Notification Server Step 5 - Install the Altiris Software
Install Microsoft Internet Information Services (IIS) and File Transfer Protocol (FTP)The following is an example of how to install Microsoft Internet Information Services (IIS), and the File Transfer Protocol (FTP) to a Windows 2000 Server computer.
Follow the instructions or wizards from the software manufactures to install all missing software.

1 Click Start > Settings > Control Panel > Add/Remove Programs.2 In the left pane, click Add/Remove Windows Components.

3 Select Internet Information Services (IIS) from the list of components.

4 Click Details.5 Select the File Transfer Protocol (FTP) Server and the World Wide Web Server check boxes.6 Click OK.7 Click Next.8 Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the Windows Components Wizard.

Install Other Required Software ComponentsIf other required software is not the computer, the Required Software page will display a list of missing software.

1 Make a list of the missing software.2 Install the missing software.

Step 5 - Install the Altiris Software1 When the Software Prerequisites Wizard is finished, a message dialog box appears telling you that

the Altiris Notification Server download is about to begin. Click OK.2 When the File Download dialog box appears, choose one of the options below.

Option 1 - Click Open to download from the online server. When the file download is finished, go to Step 3.

Option 2 - Click Save to save the file to a folder.

Note: Saving the file lets you copy it to removable media, so you can install the Altiris Infrastructure (Notification Server, Notification Database, and Altiris Agent) to a computer that is not online.a When the Save As dialog box appears, navigate to a folder where you want to save the file,

and then click Save. b When the Download Complete dialog box appears, click Open and go to Step 3.

3 Wait for the Altiris Packager Self-Extracting Executable dialog box to appear, and then for the Windows Installer dialog box to appear.

4 When the Welcome to the Install Shield Wizard for Altiris Notification Server 6.0 page appears, read the information and then click Next.

5 When the License Agreement page appears, read the License Agreement, click I accept the terms of the license agreement, and then click Next.

6 When the Customer Information page appears, enter a User Name and Organization, and under Install this application for, select the wanted option, and then click Next.

7 When the Setup Type page appears, click Complete, and then click Next.8 Won’t the Ready to Install the Program page appears, click Install.

The Installing Altiris Notification Server 6.0 page appears and displays the status of the files being installed to the computer. The installation may take a few minutes.


Chapter 2: Installing Altiris Notification Server Step 6 – Configure the Altiris Software
9 When the InstallShield Wizard Completed page appears, click Finish.The Notification Server, Notification Database, Altiris Console, and Altiris Agent are now installed on the computer.
10 Wait for the Altiris Console 6.0 Setup Wizard to start, and then go to “Step 6 – Configure the Altiris Software” on page 18 to complete these steps.

Step 6 – Configure the Altiris SoftwareWhen the Altiris Console 6.0 Setup Wizard starts, you must configure a User Identity Setting, E-mail Settings (optional), and SQL Server Settings before the Altiris Infrastructure becomes functional.

1 When the User Identity Setting page appears, configure the user identity settings.a Enter username in the User (domain\username) field.

Important: The domain entry is the domain name in which the computer is associated with on the network. If the computer is not attached to a network domain, enter the workgroup name of the computer. The user name must be a Windows user with local administrator rights.

b Enter the password for the user in the Password field.c Re-enter the password in the Confirm Password field.

Note: You are not creating a new user account, rather, you are confirming that the password you entered for an existing user account is correct.

d Click Next.2 When the E-Mail Settings page appears, configure the e-mail settings (optional) as directed in the

following steps or just click Next to bypass the e-mail configuration settings.Note: The e-mail information for this step can be entered at a later time, through the use of the Altiris Console by clicking the Configuration tab > Server Settings > Notification Server Settings > E-mail Configuration.a enter the e-mail address for the administrator in the E-mail address field.

Note: The Altiris Infrastructure’s Alert Manager sends e-mail notices and alerts to the administrator.

b Enter the DNS name or IP address of your SMTP server in the Routing Server field.c Enter the username of an administrator allowed to login to the mail server in the User Name

field.d Enter the password for the user of entered above in the Password field.e (optional) Click Send a Test E-mail. This tests to ensure Altiris Infrastructure is sending mail

to the correct address. Wait a few moments and see if an e-mail is sent to the e-mail address. f Click Next.

3 When the SQL Server Configuration page appears, configure the SQL Server settings.Note: Some settings will be entered by default.a Enter the name of the SQL server in the Server Name field. If the SQL server is on the same

computer as the Notification Server, “localhost” is entered in the field.b In the Database Name section, choose “Use existing database” or Create new database and

enter an name.c In the Database Credentials section, choose Use application credentials or Use these

credentials.Important: If you do not enter an account name and password with local administrative rights, “sa” will be used as the default SQL user account. By using the default user account, the database is less secure and at greater risk for unwanted users to access the data. We recommend you use an assigned account name and password to access the SQL Server database.

4 Click Next.


Chapter 2: Installing Altiris Notification Server Step 7 – Install Solutions
5 When the SQL Database Setup page appears, review the information. If needed, click Back to
return to previous pages and make changes. When the information is correct, click Finish.6 When the Install Progress page appears, wait for the software to complete the setup functions. If

you do not wait for the page to close before performing any other functions on the computer, the database may not be properly configured.

7 Click Finish and wait for the Altiris Console.8 When the Altiris Console opens to the Solution Center tab, go to “Step 7 – Install Solutions” on

page 19.

Step 7 – Install SolutionsIf you use the Install Wizard (NSInstallWiz.exe) in the unzipped Altiris product folder, the software automatically downloads and installs solutions identified in the NSAutoSolution.ini file in the folder. If the automatic download and installation fail, (you received a “download failed” error message at the bottom of the Altiris Console), you can manually download and install the suites or solutions.

Manually Install SolutionsThe procedure below will guide you through the manual download and installation process.

To install or upgrade a solution1 Open the Altiris Console. Click Start > Programs > Altiris > Altiris Console. 2 Click the Configuration tab. 3 In the left pane, click Configuration > Upgrade/Install Additional Solutions.

The Solution Center page appears in the right pane and it contains an Available Solutions tab, an Currently Installed tab, and a Settings tab.

4 Click the Available Solutions tab.5 Click the wanted solution.6 When the Suite Update page appears, read the information and click Start. The solution will

download and install to the Notification Server computer.Note: The download may take several minutes, and the files will install and configure automatically. When the download and installation is complete the Suite Update page will disappear.

7 To verify that the solution was downloaded and installed, click the Solution Center page’s Currently Installed tab.

Step 8 - Install Solution LicensesAltiris solutions automatically install with a 7-day trial license. You must apply for a 30-day evaluation license or purchased a full license from the Altiris web site to continue using this product.

To install a license1 Open the Altiris Console. Click Start > Programs > Altiris > Altiris Console. 2 Click the Configuration tab. 3 In the left pane, click Configuration > Licensing.

The Licensing page appears in the right pane and it contains a License Status tab, and a Install License tab.

4 Click the Licensing Status tab and check the status each installed solution’s license.5 Click the Install License tab.


Chapter 2: Installing Altiris Notification Server Step 9 – Deploy Altiris Agent to Computers
6 If you have already downloaded and unzipped the evaluation licenses, do the following:
a Click the Path to license folder option.b Click the Browse button and browse to the folder where the license or licenses are locatedc Click OK.

The path for the folder is entered in the field.d Click Install License.

7 If you have the license in an e-mail, do the following:a Copy the license information to the clipboard.b Click the Paste content of License below option.c Paste the license information from the clipboard.

8 Click Install License.9 When the license is installed, click OK.10 Install additional solution licenses.11 Confirm the license(s) installed successfully.

a Click the Licensing page’s License Status tab. b Review the solution’s license information. The Status should display OK.

Note: For more information on product licenses and how to purchase other Altiris suites or solutions, see the Altiris web site at http://www.altiris.com

Step 9 – Deploy Altiris Agent to ComputersThe Altiris Infrastructure includes the Altiris Agent (previously called the Notification Server Client or NS Client) that you can install on computers which enables advanced communication between a client devices and the Altiris Infrastructure’s Notification Server.

This section tells you how to install the Altiris Agent onto your network computers. For more information on the Altiris Agent and the whole Altiris Agent installation process, see ‘Altiris Agent Installation’ in the Altiris Infrastructure Guide.

Note: When Notification Server software is installed, the Altiris Agent is installed automatically on the Notification Server computer.

Altiris Agent RequirementsWindows 95, Windows 98, and Windows Me Clients• Current version of DCOM.

Click here to download the Windows 95 DCOM update. Click here to download the Windows 98 DCOM update. Windows Me comes with a current enough version of DCOM.

• Internet Explorer 4.01 SP1 or higher • Microsoft TCP/IP

Windows NT 4 Clients• Service Pack 4 or higher • Internet Explorer 4.01 SP1 or higher• Local administrator rights on the computer to install the Altiris Agent on the Windows NT

system• Microsoft TCP/IP


http://www.solutionsam.com/softlib/win32/x86/dcom95.exe

http://www.solutionsam.com/softlib/win32/x86/dcom98.exe

Windows 2000/XP Clients• Internet Explorer 5.0 or higher• Local administrator rights on the computer to install the Altiris Agent on the Windows 2000/XP
systemIMPORTANT: Windows XP enables Simple File Sharing during installation by default. Simple File Sharing must be turned off for you to install the Altiris Agent to an Windows XP computer.

• Microsoft TCP/IP

Pushing the Altiris Agent to a Client ComputerThe Push Altiris Agent installation lets you install the Altiris Agent to managed computers from the Altiris Console. In other words, there is no need to be at the client computer to install the Altiris Agent.

Prerequisites

To push the Altiris Agent to a client computer, the following must apply:

• The client computer must be running Windows NT or Windows 2000.• The Admin$ share must exist on the client computer. • The security identity of the Notification Server that was previously configured is an account that

needs administrative rights on the remote target computer.

To deploy the Altiris Agent from the Notification Server1 Discover the client computers on which you want to install the Altiris Agent.

a From the Altiris Console, click the Configuration tab.b In the left pane, click Configuration > Server Settings > Discover Methods > Resource Discovery.c Add the domain or workgroup in the field and click Add.d Check either Domain Browse List or Domain Membership.e Click Discover Now.

2 From the Altiris Console, click the Configuration tab.3 In the left pane, click Altiris Agent > Altiris Agent Rollout > Altiris Agent Installation.4 In the right pane, click Select Computers.5 When the Select Computers page appears, click the computer or computers you want to deploy

the Altiris Agent to and click OK. The Select Computers page closes and the selected computer will are displayed on the Altiris Agent Installation page.

6 Select none, some, or all of the following (this changes which client computers are viewed in the 7 Click Install Altiris Agent.The Altiris Agent is installed on the selected computers.

Pulling the Altiris Agent to a Client ComputerThe Pull Altiris Agent installation is initiated from the client computer. The advantage of this method is that it will work with a client computer running any Windows 32-bit operating system. The disadvantage to using this method (instead of the Pushing Altiris Agent method) is that this procedure must be performed from each client computer.

The Altiris Agent installation is run under the security ID of the user initiating the Pull. If the user initializing the Pull is using Windows NT or Windows 2000, they must have administrator rights to complete the Altiris Agent installation. On Windows NT, if you do not have sufficient rights and you try to install the Altiris Agent, you will get an iKernal 800 error.


For information on the Pull installation1 From the Altiris Console, click the Configuration tab.2 In the left pane, click Altiris Agent Rollout > Altiris Agent Installation.3 In the right pane, view the URL of the download page in the field under URL of download page
for Win32 users. 4 Send an e-mail with this URL to your client computer users.5 At the client computer, browse to the URL, which is the Altiris Agent Install Page.6 Click the Click here to begin the download and install link.The Altiris Agent will be installed on the client computer.

To initiate a Pull Altiris Agent installation from a client computer1 Using a Web browser on a client computer, go to the following URL:

http://NSName/AeXNS/Admin/AeXNSClientDownload.aspwhere NSName is the name of the computer on which Notification Server is installed.Note: This application leads you through the installation of the Altiris Agent.

2 Click the Click here link to begin downloading the Altiris Agent bootstrap program.

What Next?Refer to the applicable solution’s documentation for information on how to use solutions. The documentation is available by clicking the book icons in the upper right corner of the Altiris Console.



Chapter 3:

Where Can I Get More Information?

When Altiris products are installed, the applicable documentation (help and release notes) is also installed.

Additional information about a specific product (such as data sheets, white papers, best practices, frequently asked questions, and so on) may be availble in the Altiris Product Knowledge Base. To access the Altiris Product Knowledge Base, go to www.altiris.com/support and click the Knowledge Base link.

Note If you have feedback about Altiris documentation, please send an e-mail to our documentation group at [email protected].

http://www.altiris.com/support/


AAltiris Agent 11Altiris Console 9, 10Altiris Database 11Altiris Infrastructure 6, 9Altiris Server 10

Cconventions for document 5copyright 2creation date of document 2cross references 5

DDCOM 20Deployment Server 10document

conventions 5print date 2

Eexternal documents 5

HHelpdesk Server 11

IInstall Additional Software

Components 17Install Notification Server 15

Llegal notice 2links 5

Nnotice 2Notification Server 10Notification Server, Install 15Notification Server, Install Additional

Software Components 17NS Client

pulling 21push installation 21

PPackage Server 11patent 2product version 2pulling the NS Client 21

push installation of the NS Client 21

RRecovery Server 11Resource Manager 10

Ttrademark 2

Vversion 2

Index

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