10 New PCs arriving

Macers

Hi guys,

My uncles company (previously himself and his wife) is now recruiting 10 people. 10 identical PCs have been ordered and all are to be set up the same.

Is it possible to set up 1 PC exactly how he wants to and create an image on disc that can simply be installed on the others by inserting and running CD? More so for time saving but nice to have also incase of a crash etc.

Another recommendation he is looking for is the ability to block websites - the likes of shopping, pornography, external email sites etc - is there software or a service for this?

FWIW the PCs are Dell and running XP...

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Also question for myself...

I have a stand alone PC and a laptop. Obviously the laptop comes on the road with me for my job. Does anyone know of any (preferably free) programs that will let me sync the 2 when I get home in the evening (was gonna use a network cable)? Looking mainly to update documents, emails etc. Both are set up identically with same software anyway...

AlmightyCushion

Acronis true image should do the job for creating the disk image.

ressem

1. Note that each windows installation will need a unique SID set, otherwise they will notice each other on the net and raise warning messages. This can be done using most decent imaging software.
Otherwise you need to use a program like newsid to set the code afterwards, or sysprep beforehand to set up the PC in a format suitable for reinstalls.
(sysprep might be better if people might be adding and swapping hardware over the years. Better support for redetecting drivers.)

2. If it's not too late, it's best to buy office under a volume license agreement, like open value. That means you get a version of the Office cd with which
a. you have one license code for all installs.
b. it can be made trivially easy to reinstall office. By adding a parameter to setup, it will record the choices you make (e.g. setting the office programs to save in Office 2003 .doc/.xls/.ppt format by default instead of .docx etc). After that you can reburn the image and install with just one "Install" click on the menu.

Oh yeah, don't pay for the default home version of Symantec Antivirus 'studio' that might be supplied by default. It's a horrible program compared to the server + client version. (Though Trend Small business version and many others are better again IMO.)

Cal

Sysprep one PC and roll out the image to the other PC's.

A hardware firewall would possibly be your best bet for limiting internet access. Sonicwall is one such product which works on a subscription based service and can handle your Content filtering, Antivirus and Intrusion prevention.

Cal.

peterk19

gotta agree with sysprep it works a charm

DublinWriter

Macers wrote: »

Another recommendation he is looking for is the ability to block websites - the likes of shopping, pornography, external email sites etc - is there software or a service for this?

That would be done at the firewall, rather than on each individual PC.

I would recommend him draft up an acceptable Internet use policy to be issued to new employees. Firing someone for 'dossing' on the net without said person first being issued with such a policy could result in an unfair dismissal judgement against your uncle's company.

He'll also need to set up a server and put a backup strategy in place.

It really sounds like he should get someone in to do this for him. The last thing you need when you're trying to grow your business is to be mired down in the technical detail of setting up a small network.

Capt'n Midnight

Blocking websites ,

if you have a static IP address then one option is http://opendns.org , free blocking of web sites by category as long as the clients use opendns for DNS

god's toy

Capt'n Midnight wrote: »

Blocking websites ,

if you have a static IP address then one option is http://opendns.org , free blocking of web sites by category as long as the clients use opendns for DNS

What a good idea, shame it's for fixed IP's only.

Yea I know it wont work with dynamic ones and why, if our ISP gave fixed ones out for free I'd be happy

Kimbot

Webmarshall will allow you block sites etc.

http://www.marshal.com/products/webmarshal/index.asp

SouperComputer

I'd reccommend ClarkConnect for the setup as a server/gateway/firewall for a small office. It comes with excellent web filtering software too along with a host of other fdeatues. It runs on linux, but it doesnt require much if any linux knowledge to get it up and runing very well.

A hardware firewall is always a good idea too, combined with a DMZ is even better. You can set it up as a domain controller which will offer more control over the users on the LAN.

As others have said, you will need sysprep to prepare the backup images for deployment. If you wanted to be really adventerous you could have the images ready for deployment via a network boot system from the server.

Cloning software wise, Acronis is the way to go for sure.

I'd agree with dublinwriter, it might be a good idea to get someone in there to get you setup, especially if you are not too security-minded.

Other nice things to consider, a switch with a 1GB uplink port for the server helps ensure good availibility for the client machines on the network.