How to administrate clients

[rincewind]

Hello,

I'm working in a school that have a lot of winXP computers and a windows 2003 server that is the single AD server for the entire network.

I'm wondering, what is the best way to install programs (like office) and programs like that?. The way I've done this before is to walk around to each computer and install the programs from scratch.

I have this illusion that this could be done from the windows 2003 server=)..

Any hints?

Thanx,

-- Rincewind

[ɹəuəllıʍ ʇɐb]

Hello, and welcome to the Neo Planet forum! :)

You are right of course; no large organization can afford to install programs, updates, etc. individually on each computer. I am not an expert on this, so I cannot give you specific details. But if you go to the Microsoft website and do a search for "deploy Office", I am sure that you will find some first hints.

Someone more knowledgeable will probably post some more details shortly.

[rincewind]

Thanks... =)

... I got a nice link for XP.. thanks...

Another question though.. Say that I whant to add a network printer to a lot of computers (all running windows XP pro).. Can I do that from AD?

Regradz,

-- Rincewind...

[homecomputeraid]

rincewind,

You'll probably want to assign the software using group policies on the server. Here's a link on Microsoft's site:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?...kb;en-us;324750

A word of caution, I'd do this to a very small set of lab computers or 'volunteers' before rolling it out to everyone. Make sure it acts the way you expect it to.

I've never tried doing printers this way, but I'm pretty sure it's possible.

[ɹəuəllıʍ ʇɐb]

Another option: Sitekeeper from Executive Software (maker of the popular Diskeeper).