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Formerly Residential Computing, now managing machines in residences, libraries, and public areas at Stanford University. Focus on efficient image distribution, hardware independence, remote maintenance, and security. Innovative strategies including Ghost, network-based configuration, and remote access. Machine life cycle management and future plans for improved monitoring and dual-boot options.
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Dustin King Windows Image Developer Student Computing Stanford University daking@rescomp.stanford.edu Exorcising Ghost:Windows Imaging at Stanford
Student Computing • Formerly Residential Computing • Not central IT • Manage machines in residences, libraries, other public areas • Minimal Windows server infrastructure
Types of Images • Cluster • Standard • Conference • TeamSpot • Kiosk • Public • Stanford • Multimedia Studio • Language Lab • Floor • Classroom
Imaging Goals • Flexibility • Differentiated services • Simple hardware redeployment • Reliabilty • Low downtime • Quickly distribute revisions • Security • Ease of maintenance • Few images • Remote maintenance
Strategies • Efficient image distribution • Hardware independence • Network-based configuration • Patching • Remote access
Efficient Image Distribution • Ghost • Partitioning scheme • FreeDOS, image file storage • Windows installation • User file storage • Local ghosting • BITS • PXE booting
Hardware Independence • Sysprep
Network-based configuration • Hostname convention • m200-cl-03-g280 • mll-ll-17-g620 • cubb-ki-02-s280 • cubb-cl-02-s280 • Departmental web space • Flat text files (csv)
# PrinterGroups.csv # ================= # Format: # Group Name,Hostname Prefix,Printer 1,Printer 2,Printer 3,... # # A default printer will be chosen from those printers marked with leading *. # At least one printer MUST be marked as default. # Meyer and Tresidder Meyer First Floor,m100,*Rosanne,Leela Meyer 24-hour Study Room,m160,*Rosanne,Leela Meyer First MMS,mms-25-d270t-cl,*Rosanne,Leela Meyer Second Floor,m200,*Kenny,*Kramer,Color-LaserJet-Fry,HI_SPEED_COLOR Multimedia Studio,mms,*Kenny,*Kramer,Color-LaserJet-Fry,HI_SPEED_COLOR Tresidder,tres,*Rhino,Hippo Example Configuration File
Network-based configuration • Hostname convention • m200-cl-03-g280 • mll-ll-17-g620 • cubb-ki-02-s280 • cubb-cl-02-s280 • Departmental web space • Flat text files (csv) • Python startup scripts • Examples • Printing • Conference machines
Patching • Python startup scripts • Versioning • Examples • Nero upgrade • Updating labstats.conf, bits.pl • SPSS activation • Eclipse installation • VMware Player installation
Remote Access • Remote desktop • Cygwin • OpenSSH • Replace Windows file sharing with scp • Uses • Troubleshooting and repair • Initiating local ghosting
Machine Life Cycle • PXE boot • Download and install image • Sysprep • Hostname-based customization • Homepage • Printers • Patching • Bug fixes • Management tools updates • Software installations/activations/updates
Machine Life Cycle (cont.) • New quarterly image • BITS • Local ghosting • Machine-specific problems • Example: corrupt Firefox profileFix using ssh, scp • Example: corrupted Windows installFix using local ghosting • Redeployment for summer conference • Local ghosting • Hostname-based configuration
Future Plans • Modular images • Better monitoring • Dual-boot labs
daking@rescomp.stanford.edu Thanks