PC-Duo Deployment Tool Guide Release 12.0 February 2012 Vector Networks Technologies 541 Tenth Street, Unit 123 Atlanta, GA 30318 (800) 330-5035 http://www.vector-networks.com © Copyright 2012 Vector Networks Technologies and Proxy Networks, Inc. All rights reserved. PC-Duo is a trademark of Vector Networks Technologies, and PROXY is a trademark of Proxy Networks, Inc.
PC-Duo Deployment Tool Table of Contents PC-Duo overview .......................................................................................................................................... 5 What‟s New in PC-Duo 12.0 ...................................................................................................................... 6 What‟s New in PC-Duo 11.6 ..................................................................................................................
Technical support options .................................................................................................................... 32 Deployment Tool Installation ....................................................................................................................... 33 System requirements ............................................................................................................................... 34 Operating System Requirements .................................
PC-Duo Deployment Tool Update Host Settings ........................................................................................................................... 66 Restart Computer................................................................................................................................. 67 Remove Software ................................................................................................................................ 67 Upgrade Software ..........................
PC-Duo overview Thank you for selecting PC-Duo remote desktop solutions. PC-Duo remote desktop solutions provide professional features that enable helpdesk technicians, network administrators, IT managers, and software trainers to deliver professional remote support for a fraction of the cost of hosted solutions. Some selected features include: Remote Access: Reach anyone, anywhere, anytime using firewall- and NAT-friendly remote control connections.
PC-Duo Deployment Tool What’s New in PC-Duo 12.0 PC-Duo 12.0 introduces the following new features and capabilities: Web Console: A new server-side application that enables browser-based access to the Gateway Server (see PC-Duo Web Console Operating Guide) “Click Once” Remote Desktop Window: Ability to launch a Remote Desktop Window to a remote desktop through the Web Console without a Master.
PC-Duo overview Active Directory integration: PC-Duo 11.6 Deployment Tool can now be used to discover computers and OUs in Active Directory domains, install new PC-Duo software, upgrade existing software, and/or push configuration changes to existing software. What's New with PC-Duo 11.3 Remote Management service: PC-Duo 11.3 features a new service that allows Master user to generate inventory of hardware and software assets on a remote Host.
PC-Duo Deployment Tool PC-Duo 11.2 introduces a new utility to enable technicians to convert PC-Duo screen recording files into Windows Media format for play back in WM-compatible players and editing in off-the-shelf media tools (see PC-Duo Master Guide for more information).
PC-Duo overview PC-Duo solutions Vector Networks provides two solutions for remote desktop support: PC-Duo Express PC-Duo Express is an easy-to-use remote desktop solution that uses simple peer-to-peer connections between helpdesk technicians and end-user remote computers. It is ideally suited for smaller companies and workgroups in which the number of remote computers being supported is small and manageable.
PC-Duo Deployment Tool PC-Duo applications The PC-Duo remote desktop solutions include some or all of the following applications: 10 PC-Duo Applications PC-Duo Express PC-Duo Enterprise PC-Duo Host Yes Yes PC-Duo Master Yes Yes PC-Duo Gateway No Yes PC-Duo Web Console No Yes PC-Duo Deployment Tool Yes Yes
PC-Duo overview PC-Duo Host PC-Duo Host is an agent application that enables remote support connections to be established to the machine on which it runs. By installing PC-Duo Host on a computer in your network, you can: Allow technicians to make peer-to-peer remote control connections to the machine, whether someone is there or not. Each Host manages its own security settings and access rights.
PC-Duo Deployment Tool PC-Duo Master PC-Duo Master is a console application that technicians can use to establish remote support connections to one or more Host computers. With PC-Duo Master, you can: Make one or more peer-to-peer remote support connections to Host computers in your network. Connect to PC-Duo Gateway and make one or more Gateway-managed remote support connections to Host computers from a directory of available Hosts. View the entire screen of the remote computer.
PC-Duo overview PC-Duo Gateway PC-Duo Gateway is an enterprise class server, which provides centralized administration, security and management for a network of remote support connections to Host computers in your environment. With PC-Duo Gateway configured as the hub of your remote support network, you can: Organize large numbers of Host computers into logical groups for easier access and management. Reach remote computers outside the network, behind firewalls or NAT-devices.
PC-Duo Deployment Tool PC-Duo Web Console PC-Duo Web Console is a web application that provides browser-based access to the PC-Duo Gateway Server. With PC-Duo Web Console: Administrators can access and edit all the configuration information on the Gateway Server, including Groups, Security, Permissions, etc. The Administrative web account can be used in conjunction with or instead of the standalone Gateway Administrator application.
PC-Duo overview PC-Duo Deployment Tool PC-Duo Deployment Tool is an easy-to-use software distribution utility that automates the deployment and installation of PC-Duo applications to remote computers in your network. With PC-Duo Deployment Tool, you can: Automatically deploy an image of PC-Duo Host, Master or Gateway to one or more computers or groups of computers in your network and avoid manual effort of going to each machine.
PC-Duo Deployment Tool PC-Duo technologies PC-Duo remote desktop solutions utilize highly optimized technologies to deliver speed, performance and reliability, including: Highly efficient screen capture algorithms. PC-Duo utilizes two kinds of screen capture technology: Kernel-mode screen capture for Windows XP, Windows Server 2003 and older platforms.
PC-Duo overview PC-Duo services PC-Duo remote desktop solutions offer technicians a number of professional-quality services for investigating and solving problems on Host remote computers, including: Remote Control: ability to view screen activity on an end-user‟s remote machine, and with proper authorization, take control of and send keyboard/mouse inputs to the remote machine in real-time Remote Clipboard: ability to copy selected items on the screen of a remote machine into the clipboard on the re
PC-Duo Deployment Tool Event Manager: provides a graphical view of the Application, Security and System logs kept on the remote Host computer. Power Manager: provides a graphical view of the power management and power scheme management options for the remote Host computer, as well as ability to restart, reboot or shutdown the remote computer. For more information, see PC-Duo Master Guide.
PC-Duo overview PC-Duo connection types PC-Duo services are performed over service connections between a PC-Duo Master (with appropriate access rights) and a PC-Duo Host. Service connections are established on demand, when a PC-Duo Master requests a service from a PC-Duo Host.
PC-Duo Deployment Tool In order to execute this feature, both the MAC address and the last known IP address of the remote computer must be known. Since the PC-Duo Gateway knows both of these pieces of information, it is in a position to send the Wake-on-LAN signal.
PC-Duo overview Peer-to-peer connections from Master (M) to Host (H) The dotted and solid lines, shown in above depict two different sets of peer-to-peer connections between PC-Duo Masters to PC-Duo Hosts. PC-Duo‟s peer-to-peer connections enable the following: PC-Duo Master users with proper credentials can securely access Host computers within the network. When you permit full access to a Host computer, the PC-Duo Master user can monitor all activity on the Host computer.
PC-Duo Deployment Tool Gateway (G)-managed connections from Master (M) to Host (H) . Firewall-friendly connections When PC-Duo Master users need access to Hosts that are outside the domain, and/or behind a firewall or NAT-device, normal peer-to-peer or Gateway-managed connections will not work. In these cases, it is difficult to find and maintain a secure remote support connection because of dynamic port assignments and other network challenges.
PC-Duo overview directly to PC-Duo Gateway for recording and/or further transmission to a PC-Duo Master. Note: Because TS sessions are captured at the Windows Server (and not at the end user device), PC-Duo Host effectively bypasses the technology used to remote the sessions to the end users, and will therefore be compatible with Microsoft Terminal Services clients as well as Citrix Presentation Server (now known as XenApp) clients.
PC-Duo Deployment Tool Limitations of TS Hosts Due to technical limitations and the nature of Terminal Services sessions, the following Host features are not supported.
PC-Duo overview PC-Duo security features One of the most valuable aspects of PC-Duo remote desktop solutions is the ability to create and enforce fine-grained access control policies, and to easily modify them to reflect changes in your organization.
PC-Duo Deployment Tool authenticate itself to the server. PC-Duo implements two types of authentication to support this: “Identity Authentication” “Endpoint Authentication” Identity Authentication In general, this operation answers the following security question: How does the server know who the client is? A PC-Duo application acting as a server will not provide access or information to any PC-Duo application acting as a client until it can validate that client‟s identity.
PC-Duo overview the PC-Duo Master user to connect to a Host without regard to PC-Duo Master user‟s Windows credentials. NOTE: Simple password applies only to peer-to-peer connections. Shared secret password: In the case that the Host does not share a domain relationship with the PC-Duo Gateway, or if the Host is outside of the network and cannot contact its domain controller, Windows authentication will not usually be available.
PC-Duo Deployment Tool Connection Client Server SSL Supported Peer-to-peer Master Host No Gateway-managed (Master & Host are in same domain) Master-Gateway relationship Master Gateway Yes Gateway-Host relationship Gateway Host No Gateway-managed (Master & Host are not in same domain) Master-Gateway relationship Master Gateway Yes Gateway-Host relationship Host Gateway Yes Authorization One of the strongest features of PC-Duo remote support solutions is the fine-grained acc
PC-Duo overview transparent every time two PC-Duo 5.20 components or later are communicating with each other.
PC-Duo Deployment Tool PC-Duo networking features PC-Duo remote desktop solutions support several standard transport protocols for computer-to-computer communication, and two types of network addressing schemas. Network protocols PC-Duo products support most of the standard networking and transport protocols, including: IP: IP is a general-purpose protocol supported on a wide variety of networks and servers.
PC-Duo overview PC-Duo documentation and technical support Each of the four PC-Duo components has its own guide: PC-Duo Master Guide PC-Duo Host Guide PC-Duo Gateway Server Guide PC-Duo Web Console Operating Guide PC-Duo Web Console Installation Guide PC-Duo Deployment Tool Guide For more information about PC-Duo documentation and technical support, see: "Typographical conventions" "Technical support options" Typographical conventions in documentation PC-Duo documentation uses
PC-Duo Deployment Tool Enter your name: YourName Password: YourPassword File names and computer text can also be displayed in italics to indicate that you should replace the values shown with values appropriate for your enterprise. Key names Names of keyboard keys appear in SMALL CAPS. When you need to press two or more keys simultaneously, the key names are joined by a + sign: Press RETURN. Press CTRL+ALT+DEL.
Deployment Tool Installation PC-Duo Deployment Tool can be installed with the following considerations: "System requirements" "Microsoft Management Console requirements" "Target computer requirements" 33
PC-Duo Deployment Tool System requirements PC-Duo Deployment Tool can be installed on any computer that runs a supported operating system (OS) and matches the requirements described in this section.
Deployment Tool Installation Operating Requirements The following requirements are recommended for operation of PC-Duo Deployment Tool: Domain Administrator access rights - Because the PC-Duo Deployment Tool accesses other computers on the network, the tool should be operated with domain administrator credentials. This provides the access rights to manage all of the computers within the domain.
PC-Duo Deployment Tool Microsoft Management Console requirements PC-Duo Deployment Tool uses the Microsoft Management Console (MMC). PC-Duo Deployment Tool stores state information, such as the list of paths to the installation files, product configurations, the network places hierarchy, and the reports, via MMC. NOTE: In MMC v2.0, different users of the console file do not share state data. State information is preserved if the PC-Duo Deployment Tool is uninstalled and later reinstalled.
Deployment Tool Installation Target computer requirements PC-Duo Deployment Tool can be used to install or uninstall PC-Duo software (usually PC-Duo Host) on target computers that meet the following requirements: Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) must be installed and the service must be running. This is installed by default for Windows XP and later platforms. WMI Windows Installer Provider must be installed. For Windows Server 2003, you must explicitly select this optional component.
PC-Duo Deployment Tool Installation notes The PC-Duo Deployment Tool is distributed as part of the PC-Duo Express or PC-Duo Enterprise bundles available for download from http://www.vector-networks.com. Unzip the contents (while preserving the directory tree structure) on your computer. Click on the DeploymentTool.msi file to install the product. Licensing PC-Duo Deployment Tool can be operated without a license key.
Deployment Tool Operation After installing PC-Duo Deployment Tool, it can be started by selecting Start > Programs > Vector Networks > PC-Duo Deployment Tool.
PC-Duo Deployment Tool “Reports”, for viewing results of product deployment activities via the Deployment Tool The general process for loading and distributing software via the Deployment Tool is described in the results pane: There are five simple steps to deploying PC-Duo software: 1 Inform the Deployment Tool where the product installation image (i.e. HOST.MSI) you wish to use is.
Deployment Tool Operation Installation files The first step of the software deployment process is to a load either an original PC-Duo installer file with default configuration settings (e.g. Host.msi file for PC-Duo Host) or a Windows Installer Transform file with custom configuration settings (see "Product Configurations" for more information about creating and loading transform files). Loading PC-Duo Installer Files (.msi) Any of the PC-Duo .
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Deployment Tool Operation Product Configurations If you would like to change any configuration settings in the PC-Duo Installer files before you distribute them, the next step of the software deployment process is to create and load a Windows Installer Transform file with the custom settings you desire.
PC-Duo Deployment Tool A new node for this named configuration appears in the left-hand navigation tree under the Product that you selected.
Deployment Tool Operation Changing Configuration Settings in the Product Configuration file Initially, the Product Configuration file starts off with all default values. To modify one or more of these, double click on the setting in the result pane and select the desired setting in the resulting popup window. 1 Select the configuration to modify. All configurations parameters are listed on the right-hand side of the Deployment Tool. 2 Double-click the configuration parameter you want to modify.
PC-Duo Deployment Tool The new Windows Installer Transform file will appear in the left-hand navigation under Installation File. Note that configuration settings that have been changed will show new setting in the Value column and Default flag will be set to "No". You can now proceed to either Network Places or Active Directory Domains to select target computers and deploy either the original PC-Duo Installer file or the new Windows Installer Transform file.
Deployment Tool Operation For the PC-Duo Host product, you can also choose New > Terminal Services Configuration. This configuration file will be applied to the Terminal Services Template instead of the standard root Host settings. Note: Some Host settings do not apply to the Terminal Services Template, and will appear disabled on the right-hand side of PC-Duo Deployment Tool.
PC-Duo Deployment Tool Configuration options for the Host Most of the configuration options in the PC-Duo Host Control Panel window can be modified. These options are related to the PHSetup commands that you execute from a command line. For more information, see the PC-Duo Host Guide.
Deployment Tool Operation Request Permission Time: Specify the period before the time-out when you allow the Host computer operator to grant remote access permission to the Host computer. Time Zone: Specify the period for remote access. Effects tab Manage Visual Effects: Specify the how visual effects features are remotely controlled. Effects: Sets the flags for the management of visual effects. Checking a box for a category causes that category of effects to be disabled during a connection.
PC-Duo Deployment Tool %VER% Host software version number (e.g. “v5.10.2.1003”) %INTVER% Internal Host software version number %PID% Process ID of the Host service %PLATFORM% Host operating system platform (e.g. “Win2000”) %PROT% Network protocol (e.g. “IP” or “TCP”) %ADDR% Network address (e.g. “192.1612.0.15”) %PORT% Network port (e.g.
Deployment Tool Operation Protocols tab Access Restriction Addresses: Sets the TCP/IP restricted addresses Access Restriction Mode: Sets "Grant" or "Deny" access to the Host based on TCP/IP addresses specified by "tcprestrictions" Enable IPX Protocol: Allow access to Host through IPX configuration Enable TCP Protocol: Allow access to Host through TCP configuration Enable UPD/IP Protocol: Allow access to Host through UDP configuration Encrypt Connection: Turn on encryption, as defined in Prefer
PC-Duo Deployment Tool Allow Remote Administration: Specify whether to allow the settings to be changed by a remote administrator. Host Settings Security: Specify PC-Duo Host security settings when you use Windows security for remote connections. Service Security: Specify PC-Duo Host service security settings when you use Windows security for remote connections. Use Windows Authentication: Use Windows security for remote connection administration.
Deployment Tool Operation User Name: Change the licensee name from the default (Windows) user name with this option. This is the registered user name that is displayed when you right-click Remote Control Gateway Servers > About.
PC-Duo Deployment Tool Network Places Once you have loaded your PC-Duo Installer file(s) and/or your Windows Installer Transform file(s), you can go to Network Places to specify the list of target computers for deployment. Network Places uses NetBIOS to discover and provide access to remote computers in your domain or workgroup. Once you select the target computers, you can use the Deployment Tool to install, uninstall PC-Duo software or push configuration settings.
Deployment Tool Operation The target computer will appear under the domain or workgroup in the left pane navigation tree. Specify target computers for install or uninstall To update the list the domains and workgroups, right-click Network Places and select Refresh Domain/Workgroup List. Information appears in the left and right panes: The left pane provides each domain and workgroup name only.
PC-Duo Deployment Tool Select one or more computers in the results pane, right-click on one of the highlighted computers to bring up the context menu. It is recommended that you click on Refresh Details first, to ensure that necessary requirements are in place for other tasks. Refresh Details Click Refresh Details to refresh the deployment details for the selected computer(s). Check to see if a version of the software you are interested in deploying is already on the target computer(s).
Deployment Tool Operation RPC (IPC$). If prerequisites for deployment are met, the Can Deploy? field will indicate "Yes". If these are not met, you must enable them in order for the Deployment Tool to access the remote computer (see "Target computer requirements"). A prompt for credentials may appear, if you are not logged in with the proper credentials to view or modify one or more of your network computers.
PC-Duo Deployment Tool To install a default .msi configuration file for either PC-Duo Host, Master, or Gateway on the selected computer, select the preloaded PC-Duo Installer file under Installation File Name, and select No additional modifications. To install a customized .
Deployment Tool Operation Follow these steps to update Host settings: 1 Create a new Product Configuration file and include the new Host settings you wish to push to the target computer(s) (see "Product Configurations") 2 Click Update Host Settings and in the popup dialog box, select the Product Configuration file you created above in the dropdown box next to Configuration Name.
PC-Duo Deployment Tool Remove Software Click Remove Software to remove PC-Duo Host, Master, or Gateway on the selected computer. The Remove Software window appears. Select the product to remove and click OK. The Deployment Tool will attempt to uninstall and delete any PC-Duo Installer files or Windows Installer Transform files corresponding to the type of software you have selected.
Deployment Tool Operation Rather than deploying a configuration one-at-a-time, multiple workstations can be selected in the right-hand results view when you select a domain or workgroup name in the tree. After multi-selecting the desired workstations (by pressing Shift+Click and Ctrl+Click), right-click and select any of the options available on a single computer, for example, Refresh Details, Install Software, Restart Computer, or Remove Software.
PC-Duo Deployment Tool To install a default .msi configuration file for either PC-Duo Host, Master, or Gateway on the selected computer, select the installation file under Installation File Name, and do not change any Select modifications to install settings. To install a customized .msi configuration file for PC-Duo Host, Master, or Gateway on the selected computer, select the installation file under Installation File Name, and select a customized named configuration under Configuration Name.
Deployment Tool Operation Active Directory Domains Once you have loaded your PC-Duo Installer file(s) and/or your Windows Installer Transform file(s), you can go to Active Directory Domains to specify the list of target computers for deployment. Once you select the target computers, you can use the Deployment Tool to install, uninstall PC-Duo software or push configuration settings.
PC-Duo Deployment Tool Select one or more computers in the results pane, right-click on one of the highlighted computers to bring up the context menu. It is recommended that you click on Refresh Details first, to ensure that necessary requirements are in place for other tasks. Refresh Details Click Refresh Details to refresh the deployment details for the selected computer(s). Check to see if a version of the software you are interested in deploying is already on the target computer(s).
Deployment Tool Operation "Yes". If these are not met, you must enable them in order for the Deployment Tool to access the remote computer (see "Target computer requirements"). A prompt for credentials may appear, if you are not logged in with the proper credentials to view or modify one or more of your network computers. It is recommended that you use domain administrator credentials with the Deployment Tool (see "Operating requirements").
PC-Duo Deployment Tool To install a default .msi configuration file for either PC-Duo Host, Master, or Gateway on the selected computer, select the preloaded PC-Duo Installer file under Installation File Name, and select No additional modifications. To install a customized .
Deployment Tool Operation 1 Create a new Product Configuration file and include the new Host settings you wish to push to the target computer(s) (see "Product Configurations") 2 Click Update Host Settings and in the popup dialog box, select the Product Configuration file you created above in the dropdown box next to Configuration Name.
PC-Duo Deployment Tool Click Remove Software to remove PC-Duo Host, Master, or Gateway on the selected computer. The Remove Software window appears. Select the product to remove and click OK. The Deployment Tool will attempt to uninstall and delete any PC-Duo Installer files or Windows Installer Transform files corresponding to the type of software you have selected.
Deployment Tool Operation The Deployment Tool generates a brief summary for each action taken in either Network Places or Active Directory Domains, and stores the summary in a time-stamped folder under Reports. The Reports folder can contain summaries for each of the five different types of action available, including: Computer Details folder which shows results of Refresh Details action. Software Installations folder which shows results of Install Software action.
Troubleshooting Troubleshooting tips are provided for the following issues: "Authentication failure" "Trouble installing software or refreshing details on Windows XP" "Trouble installing/removing software to/from a computer" "Generate unique HostIDs" "Remove duplicate HostIDs" Authentication failure If you experience authentication failure, carefully check your authentication credentials. You must have administration rights on the target computer to install software.
PC-Duo Deployment Tool Trouble installing software or refreshing details on Windows XP The local security policy Network access: Sharing and security model for local accounts can prevent remote access to the administrative shares and WMI. It is possible that you cannot refresh details or install the software on a target networked Windows XP computer that is a workgroup member. See “Target computer requirements” for the correct configuration details.
Troubleshooting Trouble installing/removing software to/from a computer If you address all requirements in “Target computer requirements”, you should not have any problems installing or removing software. If you are unable to install or remove software from a target computer, confirm that the following are installed and active on the target computer: Microsoft Networking IPC$ share: Check that this share is displayed on the target computer.
PC-Duo Deployment Tool Generate unique HostIDs Each PC-Duo Host installation is identified by a unique identifier, called the HostID. This identifier is used by the PC-Duo Gateway to identify a Host, even as other information about the Host, such as the machine name, may change. This identifier contains no additional information and has no use other than to allow the PC-Duo Gateway to identify individual Hosts on the network.
Troubleshooting HostPrep command line syntax HostPrep accepts a command line flags that control its behavior: -y do not ask for confirmation; default is to prompt before continuing -yes same as „-y‟ -guid deletes the HostID only, but does not prepare the settings -restart restarts the Host Service when compute; should only be used with „-guid‟ To prepare an installation for imaging, run hostprep.exe with no arguments, and press the “y” key when prompted.
PC-Duo Deployment Tool Remove duplicate HostIDs The RmHostID utility is available in the PC-Duo Utilities file. The RmHostID utility runs on one computer and searches one or more computers for Host installations that have a specified HostID. If a matching HostID is found, the HostID is deleted and the Host Service restarted so that a new ID will be assigned. This utility can be used to “clean up” Host installations with duplicate IDs on a LAN.
Troubleshooting RmHostId GUIDS.TXT * This example enumerates the remote computers on the network, and deletes the HostID of any installations that match any of the IDs specified in the GUIDS.TXT file. Example GUIDS.TXT file: {078A9A01-6931-42A3-9371-EA00F1DC7D99} {078A9A02-6931-42A3-9371-EA00F1DC7D99} Requirements for RmHostID The user must be logged in as Administrator, or otherwise have access permissions to the ADMIN$ share on the Host remote computers.
