Deploying default settings for Server Administrator

Question

I'd like to configure  Server Administrator on a small group of servers with the same default settings. Seems labor intensive to touch every machine. I'd rather not re-install the software. Is there a way to push out a configuration to each machine?   Thanks

Allen Carter · Answer

Thanks Mark,

My scenario is something like this:

I want to change the temprature threshold to a certain level. I can do this on a single machine quite easliy, but there is some clicking and drilling down to do. There is also the time it take s to connect to the machine, etc. To do a change like this on even a few machines is a hassle.

Any ideas?

Allen

SCDownUnder · Answer

Allan,

Server Administrator is meant to be a 1:1 tool for configuration. Within the OpenManage package, IT Assistant allows you to group servers together and perform 1:N tasks.

If you install IT Assistant, it is fairly intuitive. Alternatively, Microsoft or Altiris offer complimentary products to assist you in the one to many deployment.

Thanks,

Mark

Allen Carter · Answer

Helloooo out there..... Any help on this?

SCDownUnder · Answer

Sorry Allan... been away on holiday.   I guess I am a little confused why you would be trying to change the temp. threshholds... do you mean change what is considered an alert, and what is considered a critical event which automatically sets off an action?   IT Assistant would help you monitor each of the servers, but you would still need to drill into the individual system to change the configuration of the threshholds.   Mark

Allen Carter · Answer

No problem Mark, I wasn't bugging for input from you specifically. Thanks though!   Seems odd that I can't configure Server Administrator in a more streamlined or automated fashion. I've only got about 20 servers to set up. Do people with 200 servers also have to go into the SA GUI and config each machine? I can push out the SA installation from scratch but there doesn't seem to be a way to deploy a customized config at the same time.   The temperature threshold is just an applicable example. What I'm doing is deploying a bunch of self contained server cabinets with 1850s and supporting gear such as SCSI arrays. The installations are all over the country on slow WAN links. The cabinets may be installed in situations where environmental controls are flaky. An alert when the chassis temperature reaches a specific threshold could make a big difference. Time consuming but doable to go and change SA for this and other initial needs, but what about when I have 50 machines and need to make a change? An all over a 384Kb link too. :-(

SCDownUnder · Answer

Allen,

I would definintely recommend looking at Altiris. OpenManage is a fairly comprehensive utility, but for larger deployments, the Management suite from Altiris integrates nicely and would be able to script that change.

Mark

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Deploying default settings for Server Administrator

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