Imaging Deployment Strategies

The table below indicates possible approaches to deploying ZfD imaging services for a few common enterprise scenarios. Use it to determine which procedures (documented in subsequent sections) to perform and in what order.

Scenario Description Possible Approach

New workstations

As new computers are purchased, before deploying them you install a standard software platform and enable the computer for future unattended reimaging.
  1. Create a model workstation of each type that you'll deploy, and create an image of each on a ZfD imaging server. These images should include the Novell® ClientTM and imaging agent.
  2. Create imaging diskettes or CDs that point to the ZfD imaging server where the model images are stored (not required if you are using PXE).
  3. Create a policy for unregistered workstations that specifies which image to put on a new machine, depending on its hardware.

As each new computer comes in, do the following:

  1. If you are using PXE, check to see if the workstation is PXE capable. Enable PXE if it isn't enabled by default. Make sure Preboot Services (PXE Support) has been installed on your imaging server.
  2. Physically connect the workstation to the network. If using PXE, boot it from the PXE server. If not using PXE, boot it with the imaging diskettes or CD and install the imaging partition.
  3. Reboot from the imaging partition (not required if you are using PXE).
  4. Let the computer be auto-imaged by the policy.
  5. After deploying the machine, have the user register it as a Workstation object in NDS®.

Existing workstations

With minimal disruption to users, you enable existing workstations for possible future reimaging.

This might need to be phased in by local administrators. Each administrator could:

  1. Upgrade each workstation to the latest Novell Client, using Automatic Client Update.
  2. Install the ZfD imaging agent on each workstation by distributing an Application object.
  3. Register each workstation as a Workstation object in NDS.
  4. If the workstations are PXE capable, make sure PXE is enabled and make sure Preboot Services (PXE Support) has been installed on your imaging server. Or, prepare a few sets of imaging boot diskettes or CDs that users can use when they run into trouble. These devices could point to an imaging server that contains the same clean images used for new computers.
  5. If a user runs into trouble, use the following strategy for corrupted workstations:

Corrupted workstations

Without data loss or undue disruption to users, you fix workstations that have become misconfigured or corrupted.
  1. Create a policy for registered workstations. Use the same image-selection logic as the policy for new (unregistered) workstations.
  2. When a computer needs to be fixed, have the user back up (to the network) any files that he or she wants to keep.
  3. Flag the Workstation object in NDS to receive an image the next time it boots.
  4. Have the user reboot. If it's an older workstation (without a ZfD partition), the user should boot with the imaging diskettes or CD. If it's a newer workstation (with a ZfD partition or PXE-enabled), the user should boot from the ZfD partition or PXE server. (If you are using PXE, make sure Preboot Services (PXE Support) has been installed on your imaging server.)
  5. Restore any user files that were backed up in Step 2.

Lab or classroom

After each lab session, you restore every workstation to a clean state, removing any changes or additions made during the session.
  1. Create an image of a clean model workstation and store it on a ZfD imaging server. The image should include the Novell Client and imaging agent.
  2. Create imaging diskettes or CDs that point to the ZfD imaging server where the clean image is stored. If the workstations are PXE capable, make sure PXE is enabled and make sure Preboot Services (PXE Support) has been installed on your imaging server.
  3. Create a policy for unregistered workstations that specifies the clean image to restore. Choose the option to always force down the same base image.

Deploy each lab computer as follows:

  1. Physically connect the workstation to the lab network. If using PXE, boot it from the PXE server. If not using PXE, boot it with the imaging diskettes or CD and install the imaging partition.
  2. Reboot from the imaging partition (not required if you are using PXE).
  3. Let the computer be auto-imaged by the policy.
  4. At the end of each lab session, reboot each computer and let it be auto-imaged by the policy.