respective owners.
Distribution of substantively modified versions of this document is prohibited
without the explicit permission of the copyright holder.
Distribution of this work or derivative work in any standard (paper) book form
for commercial purposes is prohibited unless prior permission is obtained from
the copyright holder.
DOCUMENTATION IS PROVIDED «AS IS» AND ALL EXPRESS OR IMPLIED
CONDITIONS, REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES, INCLUDING ANY
IMPLIED WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR
PURPOSE OR NON-INFRINGEMENT, ARE DISCLAIMED, EXCEPT TO THE
EXTENT THAT SUCH DISCLAIMERS ARE HELD TO BE LEGALLY INVALID.
BY ACCEPTING, YOU (ORIGINAL PURCHASER) INDICATE YOUR ACCEPTANCE
OF THESE TERMS. IF YOU DO NOT WISH TO ACCEPT THE PRODUCT UNDER
THESE TERMS, YOU MAY CHOOSE NOT TO ACCEPT BY SELECTING "I
decline..." AND NOT INSTALLING THE SOFTWARE.
The license is to the original purchaser only, and is not transferable without
prior written permission from Acronis.
The original purchaser can use the software on a single computer owned or
leased by the original purchaser. You may not use the software on more than
a single machine, even if you own or lease all of them, without the written
consent of Acronis.
The original purchaser cannot engage in, nor permit third parties to engage
in, any of the following:
Providing or permitting use of or disclosing the software to third parties.
Providing use of the software in a computer service business, network,
timesharing or multiple-user arrangement to users who are not individually
licensed by Acronis.
Making alterations to or copies of any kind of the software (except as
specifically permitted above).
Attempting to un-assemble, de-compile or reverse engineer the software in
any way.
Granting sublicenses, leases or other rights to the software to others.
Making copies, or verbal or media translations, of the user’s guide.
Making telecommunication data transmission of the software.
Acronis has the right to terminate this license if there is a violation of its terms
or default by the original purchaser. Upon termination for any reason, all
copies of the software must be immediately returned to Acronis, and the
original purchaser shall be liable to Acronis for any and all damages suffered
as a result of the violation or default.
ENTIRE RISK
The entire risk as to the quality and performance of the software is with you
the purchaser. Acronis does not warrant that the software or its functions will
meet your requirements or that the operation of the software will be
uninterrupted or error-free or that any defects will be corrected.
NO LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES
In no event shall Acronis or its vendors be liable for any damages whatsoever
(including, without limitation, damages for the loss of business information, or
any other pecuniary loss) arising out of the use or inability to use the
software, even if Acronis has been advised of the possibility of such damages.
CHAPTER 1. GENERAL INFORMATION................................................................................................6
1.1.KEY FEATURES ....................................................................................................................................... 6
1.2.NEW IN ACRONIS SNAP DEPLOY 2.0.......................................................................................................7
2.13TECHNICAL SUPPORT ............................................................................................................................16
CHAPTER 3. USING THE ACRONIS SNAP DEPLOY MANAGEME NT CON S O L E.......................17
3.1KEY FEATURES ..................................................................................................................................... 17
3.2CONNECTING TO A REMOTE COMPUTER ................................................................................................ 18
3.3INSTALLING ACRONIS COMPONENTS ON A REMOTE PC.........................................................................19
Acronis® Snap Deploy is a comprehensive solution designed for simultaneous
remote deployment of a fully configured operating system with application
software to target PCs over a network from a previously created image file.
Acronis Snap Deploy also provides configuration management tools to
configure system settings, manage files, and execute applications on systems
throughout the network.
During deployment, the depl oy server multicasts an image of the master PC
to networked target computers.
The master image contains everything the system needs to run — the
operating system and application software.
Usually, company departments, such as accounting, sales or technical support,
use a set of applications for daily work. With Acronis Snap Deploy, you can
create images of commonly used applications and use these images as a
standard to deploy to target PCs. Because the product uses disk-imaging
technology that creates an image of an entire hard disk drive, it is ideal for
rapid bare-metal installations and disaster recovery operations.
Save money
Businesses today face increasing challenges when it comes to configuring and
deploying new PCs in a distributed enterprise environment. IT staffs are
constantly looking for new solutions that can quickly and efficiently deploy
new systems that comply with established corporate policies. They also want
the systems to be managed from a central location. Having a deployment
solution in place that enables businesses to create and deploy multiple,
standardized configurations quickly and efficiently can save money.
Fastest simultaneous deployment
OS installation and configuration, even on a single PC, is a slow and tedious
process, but it’s nothing compared to doing it on dozens of brand new PCs.
Acronis Snap Deploy reduces maintenance costs by providing fast,
simultaneous deployment of new systems.
Deploy a live system on different hardware
You can configure the source system in a virtual environment or on a
computer with motherboard or CPU differing from that of the target
computers. The Acronis Universal Deploy option will replace the hardware
abstraction layer (HAL) and mass storage device drivers so that the deployed
system is able to boot. With this option, a multiprocessor system can be
deployed on single-processor hardware and vice versa.
1.1. Key features
Remote simultaneous deployment of master image to target PCs,
including:
Setting the target computers names and domain or workgroup
Adding, editing or deleting local user accounts
Setting network settings
Generation of new security identifiers (SIDs) for the target computers
Transferring files to all target computers after deployment
Executing applications on all target computers after deployment
Running configuration files on all target computers after deployment
Managing deployment templates
Master image creation
Master images checking
Support for various ways of boot up (bootable media, Microsoft Remote
Installation Services (RIS) or PXE servers)
Remote PXE Server management
File management on a remote PC
Application execution on a remote PC
Installing Acronis components to a remote computer (requires appropriate
access rights)
Logs viewing
Support a variety of IDE, SCSI, USB and PC Card (formerly PCMCIA)
storage media
Support for all hard disks, regardless of capacity
Support for backup images created with Acronis True Image
User-friendly Windows XP-like interface with full mouse support
Comprehensive wizards simplify even the most complex operations
1.2. New in Acronis Snap Deploy 2.0
Acronis Universal Deploy option - Automatic selection of the HAL and mass
storage device drivers to fit the target hardware
64 bit Windows support
A facility of master and target computers boot with Microsoft RIS server
New Bootable Media Builder
New master image creation options (setting the priority of the imaging
process, validating the newly created image etc.)
New deployment options (resizing partitions according to the proportion of
the master and target disk capacities, shutting down the target computers
after deployment etc.)
1.3. Acronis Snap Deploy components
Acronis Snap Deploy includes the following components:
Acronis Snap Deploy Management Console is the primary tool for remote
management of Acronis OS Deploy Server, Acronis PXE Server and
master/target PCs.
Acronis OS Deploy Server controls the simultaneous master system
deployment on target PCs.
Acronis Snap Deploy Agent – boots up on each of target PCs and performs
the system deployment under control of Acronis OS Deploy Server. There are
three ways to load Acronis Snap Deploy Agent on target computers: directly
from bootable media, remotely using Microsoft RIS or remotely using Acronis
PXE Server.
Acronis PXE Server allows the booting of the Acronis Snap Deploy Agent or
Acronis Master Image Creator on remote PCs without using bootable media.
The remote computers must support PXE. Using Acronis PXE Server
considerably reduces time required for booting the computers as compared to
using bootable media. It also eliminates the need to have a technician onsite
to install the bootable media into the system that must be booted.
Acronis Snap Deploy Management Agent, if installed on a remote PC,
allows you to manage that PC using the Acronis Snap Deploy Management
Console. Management operations include creating master images, managing
files and executing applications.
Acronis Master Image Creator – a bootable component that allows local
imaging of the master system without installing the Acronis Snap Deploy
Management Agent on the master computer. There are three ways to load
Acronis Master Image Creator on a master computer: directly from bootable
media, remotely using Microsoft RIS, or remotely using Acronis PXE Server.
Acronis Universal Deploy (optional) – enables hardware-independent
operating system deployment.
To be able to manage deployment licenses, you must also install the Acronis
License Server.
1.4. Acronis Snap Deploy quick start
To deploy a system on one or more target computers, follow these steps:
1. Create a master PC configuration, including the operating system,
applications and settings.
2. Prepare the master OS with the Microsoft Sysprep tool in case it is needed.
See details in
3. Install the Acronis Snap Deploy Management Console. See details in
2.6 Acronis Snap Deploy components installation.
4. Create bootable media with the Acronis Master Image Creator. See
details in
5.2 The master OS preparation
5.1 Creating bootable media.
.
5. Boot Acronis Master Image Creator on the master PC and create a master
image on a network share. Check the integrity of the master image and
confirm that it is a valid file and not corrupted. See details in
Running Acronis Master Image Creator on a local computer.
Acronis Snap Deploy supports images created by Acronis True Image.
General information
6. If you are going to boot target computers from removable media, create
bootable media with Acronis Snap Deploy Agent. See details in
Creating bootable media.
5.1
If you are going to boot target computers with Acronis PXE Server, install
Acronis PXE Server and upload Acronis Snap Deploy Agent to that
server. See details in
5.5 Configuring Acronis PXE Server.
If you are going to boot target computers with Microsoft Remote
Installation Services (RIS), install RIS server. Then create a RIS package
with Acronis Snap Deploy Agent. See details in
.
media
5.1 Creating bootable
7. Install Acronis License Server and upload the appropriate number of
deployment licenses to it. See details in
4.3 Adding licenses to
.
8. Install Acronis OS Deploy Server.
9. If you have the Acronis Universal Deploy option, install it on the same
computer where Acronis OS Deploy Server is installed. See details in
Acronis Universal Deploy installation
section.
10. Boot Acronis Snap Deploy Agent on the target PCs with the bootable
media, PXE or RIS server. See details in
6.1 Booting up the target PCs
11. Connect the console to the computer where Acronis OS Deploy Server is
installed and select Manage Deployment in the Acronis Snap Deploy
Management Console main window. Start the Deploy Image Wizard (see
6.2 Starting the Deploy Image Wizard
). Specify the details of the
deployment task and target PC settings (TCP/IP settings,
domain/workgroup settings etc.) in the wizard windows and launch the
deployment process. See details in
6.3 - 6.16
12. Acronis OS Deploy Server begins transferring the master image to the
target computers. Once the transfer is complete, the target PCs are ready
to use. No installation of the operating system or applications is required -the image contains everything the system needs to run.
1.5. Software usage terms and conditions
The conditions for Acronis Snap Deploy software usage are described in the
«License agreement», included with this package. The supplied registration
card is the confirmation of your legal purchase and usage of Acronis Snap
Deploy on your system. Each registration card has a unique registration
number.
.
.
Under current legislation, the «License agreement» is considered a contract
between a user (you) and a software manufacturer (Acronis Inc.). The
contract is legally binding and its violation may result in litigation.
Illegal use and/or distribution of this software will be prosecuted.
Pentium processor or higher
128 MB RAM
keyboard
mouse (recommended)
Floppy disk drive, CD-R/RW drive or another device for bootable media
creating (USB-device, Zip drive, flash drive etc.)
PXE support (recommended)
For target computers:
Pentium processor or higher
128 MB RAM
keyboard
mouse (recommended)
Floppy disk drive, CD-ROM drive, any other device to boot from (USB hard
drive, Zip drive, Flash , etc.) or PXE support
DHCP Server (recommended)
2.2 Supported operating systems
Acronis OS Deploy Server
Windows XP Professional x64 Edition, Windows Server 2003 x64 Editions
Windows 2000 Server/2000 Advanced Server/2003 Server
Windows Vista all Editions
Windows 2000/XP Professional
Acronis Snap Deploy Management Console
Windows XP Professional x64 Edition, Windows Server 2003 x64 Editions
Windows 2000 Server/2000 Advanced Server/2003 Server
Windows Vista all Editions (except for installation of Acronis components
on remote machines running Vista)
Windows 2000/XP Professional
Acronis Universal Deploy
Windows XP Professional x64 Edition, Windows Server 2003 x64 Editions
Windows 2000 Server/2000 Advanced Server/2003 Server
Windows Vista all Editions
Windows 2000 Professional SP4/XP Professional SP2
Operating systems for deployment
Windows XP Professional x64 Edition, Windows Server 2003 x64 Editions
Windows 2000 Server/2000 Advanced Server/2003 Server
Acronis Snap Deploy enables, with certain limitations (some operations or
options will not be available), deployment of any PC-based operating system.
For example, Windows 98/NT/ME can be deployed only as is, without
changing SID, user accounts or network settings.
2.3 Supported file systems and media
Acronis Snap Deploy supports the following file systems:
Acronis Snap Deploy supports any local, network and removable media,
including:
Local and networked hard drives
IDE and SCSI RAID controllers of any level
CD-R/RW*
DVD+R/RW, DVD-R/RW (DVD burning software required)*
USB and FireWire (IEEE-1394) storage devices*
Magneto-optical media, Iomega ZIP/Jaz, etc.*
* When creating a master image on removable media, make sure that the
image will fit into one disk. The current version of Acronis Snap Deploy does
not support images, spread on several CDs, DVDs etc.
2.4 Used Ports and IP addresses
The Acronis OS Deploy Server and the Acronis Snap Deploy Management
Console use the following ports and IP addresses for remote operation:
UDP port: 9876
TCP port: 9876, if busy, choose a port at random
IPv4 multicast address: 239.255.219.45
IPv6 multicast address: FF05::fAA5:741E.
Acronis Snap Deploy Management Console UDP port: 9877, if busy,
choose a port at random
The Acronis PXE Server uses following ports and IP addresses:
If you are using a firewall, you might have to set the appropriate access options
2.5 License policy
Acronis Snap Deploy licensing is based on number of deployed and/or
managed computers (servers or workstations). The number of deployments
onto the same computer, as well as the number of Acronis Snap Deploy
Management Console, Acronis OS Deploy Server*, Acronis PXE Server or
Acronis License Server installations is not counted.
* When installing Acronis OS Deploy Server, you have to specify the Acronis License
Server. However, no extra license will be engaged. Acronis OS Deploy Server checks
the availability of free licenses and stores the specified Acronis License Server
parameters to be able to access the Acronis License Server later, when deployment is
launched.
For example, to deploy software on 100 computers you need 100 deployment
licenses. No additional licenses are required to manage the deployed
computers or re-deploy any of them. If you want to manage a computer that
was not previously deployed with Acronis Snap Deploy, you will need a new
license to install the Acronis Snap Deploy Management Agent to that
computer.
Acronis Universal Deploy is an option to Acronis Snap Deploy and has its own
serial number and license agreement.
2.6 Acronis Snap Deploy components installation
You can install all the Acronis Snap Deploy components (Acronis Snap Deploy
Management Console, Acronis OS Deploy Server, Acronis PXE Server, Acronis
Snap Deploy Management Agent and Acronis License Server) on one PC or
each component on a separate networked computer.
It is recommended that you install Acronis Snap Deploy Management Console
first. You then will be able to install most of other components remotely to
any networked computer.
Before installing Acronis OS Deploy Server, you need to install the Acronis
License Server and import license numbers to it (see
License Server
.)
The installation procedure may differ from the one described below,
depending on the component.
2. In the Install Menu, select the component that you are going to install
on a PC. Available options are: Acronis Snap Deploy Management Console,
Acronis OS Deploy Server, Acronis PXE Server, Acronis Snap Deploy
Management Agent or Acronis License Server.
3. Read and accept the terms of the license agreement, then click Next.
4. When installing Acronis OS Deploy Server, specify the License Server for
license validation. It can be found automatically on the local network or
can be specified manually.
5. In the Choose setup type window, choose setup type:
Typical -- installs most common program features (recommended for
most users).
Custom -- allows users to choose program features to install and select
a location for setup (recommended for advanced users).
Complete -- all program features will be installed (requires the most
disk space).
6. If Custom Setup is chosen, select one of the following for each
component feature:
Will be installed on a local hard drive -- selecting this option
installs the selected component feature on your computer’s disk drive.
Entire feature will be installed on a local hard drive -- selecting
this option installs the selected component feature, as well as all
features and subfeatures in the product tree below the selection, on
your computer’s hard disk.
Entire feature will be unavailable – the selected feature will not be
7.In the Select Administrators Options window, choose Install for all
users or Install for the currently logged-in user, then click Next.
8.Click Proceed to begin installation.
Acronis Universal Deploy installation
Acronis Universal Deploy is an option to Acronis Snap Deploy. It must be
purchased separately and installed from a separate setup file.
Acronis Universal Deploy can only be installed on a computer where Acronis
OS Deploy Server is installed.
Acronis Universal Deploy can be installed on a networked computer either
locally, by running the setup program, or remotely.
To install Acronis Universal Deploy remotely, extract the setup file (.msi) to a
network share (see below) and install Acronis Universal Deploy in the same
way as other Acronis Snap Deploy components (see
components on a remote PC
).
3.3 Installing Acronis
After installation Acronis Universal Deploy automatically plugs in Acronis OS
Deploy Server.
2.7 Acronis Snap Deploy components extraction
14
During Acronis Snap Deploy Management Console installation, all Acronis Snap
Deploy applications’ setup (.msi) files will be placed in the C:\Program
Files\Common Files\Acronis\RemoteInstall folder. You will be able to remotely
install, modify or repair the components using Acronis Snap Deploy
Management Console or msiexec.exe utility.
When installing Acronis Snap Deploy applications on a local computer, you can
save setup files for each Acronis Snap Deploy component separately on a local
or network drive. It will help you modify or recover the existing component
installation on a local computer.
1. Run the Acronis Snap Deploy setup procedure.
2. In the Install Menu, right-click on the application name and select
Extract.
3. Select location for the setup file and click Save.
2.8 Using Acronis Snap Deploy trial version
If you have not purchased a software license for Acronis Snap Deploy yet, you
may still try the full-featured trial version of the product. To obtain a serial
number for the trial version, register on Acronis web site.
2.9 Running Acronis Snap Deploy
After installation, Acronis OS Deploy Server and Acronis PXE Server launch
automatically as Windows services.
You can run Acronis Snap Deploy Management Console by clicking Start →
4. In the Modify window, choose the component features to be added or
deleted.
5. Click Next to apply changes.
2.11 Repairing components
During maintenance period, you may need to repair (or restore) Acronis Snap
Deploy components.
To repair a component:
1. Run AcronisSnapDeploy.exe.
2. In the Install Menu, click on the component you want to repair.
3. Click Repair in the Modify, Repair or Remove Installation window.
2.12 Removing components
You can remove any Acronis Snap Deploy component separately.
To remove a component from the Control Panel:
1. Run Control Panel.
2. Select Add or remove programs.
3. Click the Remove button on the Acronis Snap Deploy component.
4. Follow the instructions on the screen.
You can also remove Acronis Snap Deploy components in the Install Menu.
To remove a component from the Install Menu:
1. Run AcronisSnapDeploy.exe.
2. In the Install Menu, click on the component that is about to be removed.
3. Click Remove in the Modify, Repair or Remove Installation window.
2.13 Technical support
Users of legally purchased copies of Acronis Snap Deploy are entitled to free
technical support from Acronis. If you experience problems installing or using
Acronis products that you can’t solve yourself by using this guide, then please
contact Acronis Technical Support.
More information about contacting Acronis Technical Support is available at
the following link:
register your product on this Web page. Acronis recommends that corporat e
customers purchase Acronis Maintenance and Priority Support.
http://www.acronis.com/enterprise/support/. You may also
Acronis Snap Deploy Management Console is the primary administrative tool
for Acronis OS Deploy Server, Acronis PXE Server and remote computers. In
addition, it allows you to create and check master images on remote PCs.
Acronis Snap Deploy Management Console enables you to perform the
following:
Deploy master images to target PCs simultaneously, including:
o Creating user accounts
o Managing TCP/IP settings
o Managing network identification of target PCs (computer name,
domain or workgroup membership)
o Transferring files to all target computers after deployment
o Executing applications on all target computers after deployment
Manage Acronis Snap Deploy licenses
Manage deployment templates
Create master images of remote computers
Check master images
Create bootable media
Configure Acronis PXE Server
Manage files on remote PCs
Execute applications on remote PCs
Figure 4. Acronis Snap Deploy Management Console main window
3.2 Connecting to a remote computer
With Acronis Snap Deploy Management Console, you can establish
connections with remote computers to perform management operations. To
perform a given operation, you must connect the console to a valid computer.
For example:
To manage a software deployment, connect to a computer with
Acronis OS Deploy Server installed.
To manage Acronis OS Deploy Server, you must be a member of the
Administrators or Power Users groups.
To configure PXE Server, connect to a computer with Acronis PXE
Server installed.
To configure Acronis PXE Server, you must be a member of the
Administrators or Network Configuration Operators groups.
To create master images, manage files and execute applications,
connect to a remote computer with Acronis Snap Deploy Management Agent installed.
18
Use View → Computers to access the list of machines to which you can
connect.
Acronis Snap Deploy Management Console automatically recommends that
you connect to a remote computer when you s elect an operation. You must
connect to the computer running the program you need to perform the
selected operation or you will get the error message Unsupported protocol.
1. Select New connection in the Remote management sidebar section of
the Acronis Snap Deploy Management Console main window or the
associated menu or toolbar items. You can also establish a connection
using a context menu invoked by right-clicking the desired machine na me
in the View → Computers list.
2. Specify a PC network name or select a PC by pressing the Browse…
button.
3. Enter the user name and password.
Figure 5. Establishing connection with a remote PC
You can disconnect from a remote PC after accomplishing all necessary
operations. Click on Disconnect in the Remote Management sidebar.
3.3 Installing Acronis components on a remote PC
Acronis Snap Deploy Management Console allows you to install Acronis
components onto remote computers on a corporate network. For example,
Acronis Snap Deploy Management Agent installed on a remote computer
allows you to access to it from the Acronis Snap Deploy Management Console
for master image creation, managing files and executing applications.
To install any Acronis component on a remote machine, you will need
administrator rights on the target system.
To install Acronis components:
1. Select Install Acronis components in the Acronis Snap Deploy
Management Console main window.
2. Select the installer location from the list (Registered Components,
Search removable media or Specify location).
3. Select the Acronis component you want to install.
4. Specify License Server for license validation. It can be found
automatically on the local network or can be specified manually.
5. Specify the network name or IP address of the machine on which the
Acronis component is to be installed. You can also select a PC from the
list of available ones using the Browse… button. At that point, you
will have to provide an administrator user name and password.
6. The Acronis component will be installed to the remote PC you
specified. If you checked the box for Allow to reboot remote computer automatically during Acronis components installation, the
remote machine will reboot. Otherwise, you will see the corresponding
message.
Figure 6. Remote installation of Acronis components
Installation of Acronis components onto remote machines running all
Windows Vista editions is not possible. You will have to install the
components locally on such computers.
If the remote PC runs under Windows XP, make sure the option Use simple file sharing in the Control panel → Folder options → View is disabled
before the remote installation starts.
If the remote PC runs under Windows XP with Service Pack 2 installed, make
sure that the option File and Printer Sharing in the Control panel →Windows Firewall → Exceptions is enabled before the remote installation
starts.
3.4 Browsing logs
Using Acronis Snap Deploy Management Console, you can view the server’s
operations results. To view operation results on the Acronis OS Deploy Server
or Acronis PXE Server, connect the console to the computer where the server
is installed.
Logs can be accessed by selecting Tools ->Show log after connection to a
remote PC is established.
20
The log browsing window contains two panes: the left one features the log
list, while the right one shows selected log contents.
The left panel can contain up to 50 logs. If there are more, you can browse
the list using the More and Less buttons with the left and right arr ows. The
buttons appear at the top when the number of log entries exceeds 50.
To delete a log, select it and click Delete.
If any step was terminated by an error, the corresponding log will be marked
with a red circle with a white “X” inside.
The right window features the list of steps contained in the selected log. The
three buttons to the right control message filters: the white “X” in the red
circle filters error messages, the exclamation sign in a yellow triangle filters
warnings, and the “i” in the blue circle filters information messages.
To select columns (step parameters) to display, right-click the headers line or
left-click the Choose Details button. Then check the desired parameters.
To sort messages by a particular parameter, click its header (click again to
reverse order) or the Arrange Icons by button (the second from the right)
and select the desired parameter.
You can also change column width by dragging the borders with a mouse.
The Acronis License Server is a mechanism that tracks individual licenses of
Acronis products.
When installing Acronis OS Deploy Server, you have to specify the Acronis
License Server. You may specify the server’s DN S name, IP address , or let the
Acronis License Server to be found automatically on the network. Once the
Acronis License Server is found, the program checks for available licenses on
the server and stores its net address to be able to access th e Acronis License
Server later, when deployment is launched.
When performing a deployment, Acronis OS Deploy Server checks the
availability of free licenses on Acronis License Server. If there are enough free
licenses for the deployment, the deployment process will run and the number
of free licenses will decrease by the number of deployed systems.
Acronis License Server tracks the number of licenses using a MAC address,
which is unique for each network interface card (NIC). Although a MAC
address is usually hardwired to the NIC, some operating systems offer a way
to change it. It is important to note that attempting to change the MAC
address on a system may impede the Acronis License Server operation and
prevent you from other deployments to the same computer or from man aging
that computer from the Acronis Snap Deploy Management Console.
Acronis Snap Deploy licenses cannot be reused.
4.2 Installation and running
You must install the Acronis License Server and import product licenses before
installing Acronis OS Deploy Server.
4.2.1 Supported operating systems
Windows XP Professional x64 Edition, Windows Server 2003 x64 Editions
Windows NT 4.0 Server SP6/2000 Server/2000 Advanced Server/2003 Server
Windows NT 4.0 Workstation SP6/2000 Professional SP4/XP Professional SP2
Windows 98/Me
4.2.2 Typical, Custom and Complete Acronis License Server
installation
You can choose Typical, Custom or Complete installation of Acronis
License Server. The complete installation includes Acronis License Server,
Acronis License Server Management Console and Acronis License
Server Management Tool. Typical installation includes Acronis License
Server and the Acronis License Server Management Console. Custom choice
allows separate installation of all three components.
The Acronis License Server Management Tool is a command-line utility for
controlling the Acronis License Server, while the Acronis License Server
Management Console provides an easy-to-use GUI and additional useful
features such as remote Acronis components installation and license revoke.
These two programs are intended mostly for Acronis products other than
Acronis Snap Deploy. You may install only the Acronis License Server and
manage it via the Acronis Snap Deploy Management Console.
After installation, Acronis License Server launches automatically as Windows
service.
4.3 Adding licenses to Acronis License Server
You can add serial numbers for any Acronis product to the Acronis License
Server using the Acronis Snap Deploy Management Console. Trial versions of
the product will be managed by Acronis License Server; however the serial
numbers will only be valid for a limited period of time.
Acronis recommends that you save serial numbers in a text file since the
Acronis License Server can import multiple serial numbers from a .txt file,
saving you from time-consuming procedure of typing in each serial number.
You may create one file with all serial numbers for all Acronis products or
separate files for each product or purchase. These serial numbers can then be
imported to the Acronis License Server.
Using Acronis License Server
Once the Acronis License Server has imported the serial numbers, you may
delete the text file(s) with the serial numbers. When upgraded , recovered or
reinstalled, the Acronis License Server keeps all the imported serials in its
memory. It is recommended that you copy the file(s) with serial numbers to
removable media, or create a hard copy of that file(s) and keep it in a safe
place. This ensures that you have license data available in case of hardware
failure.
Here’s how to add licenses to the Acronis License Server:
1. Connect to the computer where Acronis License Server is installed.
2. Select Manage Licenses in the Acronis Snap Deploy Management Console
main window. The Management Console window will display the following:
3. Invoke Add License Wizard by selecting Add License in the Tasks
group on the sidebar.
Figure 8. Viewing all licenses
4. In the Add License window, type in the serial number or a path to the text
file containing serial numbers. You can also browse folders to find the text file.
5. In the final window, click Proceed. Acronis License Server performs the
operation and reports the number of new-added licenses.
For information on how to import licenses using the Acronis License Server
Management Tool, see
.
Tool
4.6 Using the Acronis License Server Management
4.4 Viewing information about licenses
1. Connect to the computer where Acronis License Server is installed.
2. Select Manage Licenses in the Acronis Snap Deploy Management Console
main window.
There are two modes of viewing data.
The default mode lists all licenses available on the current Acronis License
Server. Right-click on the column headings bar to choose details to display:
Product Name, Serial Number, Import Date, Expiration Date and
Total number of licenses assigned to each serial number, as well as how
many of them are Available and Used. For example, if one license
corresponds to one serial number, Total=1, Available=1, Used=0 (if the
license is free) or Available=0, Used=1 (if the license is engaged).
24
To display more information about used licenses, select Manage Used Licenses in the Tasks group on the sidebar.
The Used mode lists all licenses that are engaged. Right-click on the column
headings bar to choose details to display: Product Name, Host Name
(name of the computer using this license), Host Address, Serial Number,
Acquire Date (when the product using the license was installed) and Renew
Date.
The Revoke License task and the Renew Date parameter are not used in Acronis
Snap Deploy. For information how to use them with other Acronis products, see the
dedicated Acronis License Server guide bundled with these products.
You can sort any list using View -> Arrange Icons by.
4.5 Removing licenses
To completely remove a license from the Acronis License Server, select it from
the default list and click Remove License in the Tasks group on the sidebar.
4.6 Using the Acronis License Server Management Tool
The Acronis License Server includes a special command-line utility
LicenseServerCmdLine.exe that allows you to manage license information.
During the Acronis License Server installation, LicenseServerCmdLine.exe file
will be placed in the installation folder, e. g. C:\Program
Files\Acronis\LicenseServer.
LicenseServerCmdLine.exe uses the following syntax:
You can boot Acronis Master Image Creator on the master computer or
Acronis Snap Deploy Agent on the target computers in the following ways:
1. from removable media (CD-R/RW, DVD-R/RW, diskettes or any other media
the computers can boot from, such as a Zip drive
2. using Microsoft Remote Installation Services (RIS)
3. from Acronis PXE Server.
Acronis Snap Deploy allows you to create:
1. bootable media with the Acronis Master Image Creator and/or the Acronis
Snap Deploy Agent
2. an ISO image of bootable media on a hard disk
3. a RIS package containing the same programs.
For uploading Acronis Master Image Creator or Acronis Snap Deploy Agent on
Acronis PXE Server, see
5.5 Configuring Acronis PXE Server.
To create bootable media, a bootable disk ISO image or RIS
package:
1. Click Create Bootable Media on the toolbar or the sidebar, select the
respective task in the center of the console main window, or select Create Bootable Media from the Tools menu. You can also run the Bootable
Media Builder without loading Acronis Snap Deploy by selecting Programs
-> Acronis -> Acronis Snap Deploy Management Console ->
Bootable Rescue Media Builder from the Start menu.
2. Click Next in the wizard welcome window.
3. Select which components of Acronis Snap Deploy you want to place on the
bootable media.
The Start automatically after parameter indicates the time interval
between the computer boot and the selected program’s automatic start. For
example, if you check the box for Acronis Master Image C reator, the creator
will launch in 10 (or whatever you select) seconds after the master PC boots.
This eliminates the need for a click on the boot menu and enables, in the case
of RIS, fully remote imaging. If you do not check the Start automatically after box, the computer will display the boot menu and wait for user’s
selection.
4. Select the type of bootable media (CD-R/RW or 3.5” diskettes) you w ant
to create. You can create other bootable medi a, such as removable USB
flash drives, if the master/target computers’ BIOS has this capability. You
can also choose to create a bootable disk ISO image or save bootable data
to a RIS server.
If you create an ISO disk image, you will be able to burn it onto any kind of DVD
recordable media using DVD recording software. Creating a bootable DVD directly
from Bootable Media Builder is not possible.
Figure 10. Selecting components
When using 3.5” diskettes, you will be able to write only one component at a time
(for example, Acronis Snap Deploy Agent) to a diskette (or a set of the diskettes). To
write another component, start Bootable Media Builder again.
Figure 11. Selecting media
28
5. If you are creating a CD, diskettes or any removable media, insert the
blank disk so the program can determine its capacity. If you chose to
create a bootable disk ISO image, specify the IS O file name and th e folder
where to place it. If you chose to save bootable data on a RIS server,
specify the server and provide the user name and password to access it.
6. Next, if you chose to save the file to removable media, the program will
calculate how many blank disks are required and give you time to prepare
them. You will not see this option if chose to create an ISO image or save
the file to a RIS server. When you are finished, click Proceed.
After you create a boot disk, identify it and keep it in a safe place.
5.2 The master OS preparation
Before creating a master image for mass OS deployment, it is usually
recommended to prepare the master operating system with the Microsoft
Sysprep tool.
Sysprep is a tool designed for corporate system administrators, OEMs, and
others who need to deploy operating systems on multipl e computers. Sysprep
assigns a unique security ID (SID) to each target computer the first ti me the
computer is started and, if need be, initiates a process that allows replacing
drivers for plug-and-play devices.
Acronis Snap Deploy, on its own, can assign to the deployed computers
unique TCP/IP settings, domain/workgroup settings and SIDs. As a result, you
have the choice of using the functionality of either Sysprep or Acronis Snap
Deploy.
Pre-deployment operations
However, if you plan to deploy a system on hardware differi ng from that of a
master computer, and have not purchased and installed the Acronis Uni versal
Deploy option to Acronis Snap Deploy, you will have to prepare the master
operating system with the Microsoft Sysprep tool. The following table covers
cases when you have or do not have to use either of these tools because of
hardware difference between the master computer and the target computers.
Fully identical
hardware
Without Acronis
Universal Deploy
With Acronis
Universal Deploy
No need to use
Sysprep or Acronis
Universal Deploy
Note that Acronis Universal Deploy is
Different plug-andplay devices
Must use Sysprep Deployment is not
Must use Sysprep
or Acronis
Universal Deploy
not
a system preparation tool. You can
Different hardware
abstraction layer
(HAL) and/or mass
storage controllers
possible
Must use Acronis
Universal Deploy
apply it to any image when configuring the deployment operation.
You can download Sysprep from
www.microsoft.com or extract it from
deploy.cab located on Windows NT/2000/XP/Server 2003 installation CD.
We strongly recommend that you read articles about Sysprep and disk duplication in
the Microsoft Knowledge Base.
Acronis Snap Deploy allows you to create master imag e either locally on the
master computer (using a bootable version of Acronis Master Image Creator)
or remotely (using Acronis Snap Deploy Management Console).
To enable remote imaging, you must install the Acronis Snap Deploy
Management Agent on the master computer. The Acronis Snap Deploy Management Agent then will be included in the master image and deployed
on all target computers.
If you want to manage files and execute appli cations on all target computers
after deployment, you can use remote master image creation. However,
normally you do not want excess software in a master image.
We strongly recommend that you use a bootable version of Acronis Master Image
Creator to create a master ima
creation on a remote computer.
e on a local machine instead of master image
Acronis Snap Deploy supports images created by Acronis True Image.
5.3.2 Running Acronis Master Image Creator on a local computer
1. Boot the master PC from bootable media, PXE or RIS.
Figure 12. Acronis Master Image Creator boot menu
30
2. Select Acronis Master Image Creator in the boot menu.
Acronis Master Image Creator can be configured to start automatically after several
seconds. You can do so when creating bootable media, creating a RIS package, or
uploading the creator to a PXE server.
If there is no DHCP (Dynamic Host Control Protocol) server in your net work,
the master computer will not be able to connect to the netw ork automatically
after booting Acronis Master Image Creator. If you want to create a master
image on a network share, enter the Acronis Master Image Creator
configuration menu by clicking Yes in a prompt window that comes up a t boot
time. Then enter the master computer’s IP address and other settings
necessary for connection.
If you choose Create master image using bootable media, the program
will suggest that you create the bootable media. If you already created
bootable media with Acronis Master Image Creator, go to step
Acronis Master Image Creator on a local computer
media and do the same. For more information about creating bootable media
5.1 Creating bootable media
see
5.3.4 Selecting disks
In the Imaged Disks Selection window, you will see the hard disk layout of
the master PC. You can select only the entire disk (disks), not individual
partitions. Click on the box to select a disk.
Having selected disks, click Next. Note that this button is disabled if no disks
are selected.
5.3.5 Selecting image location
You can place an image file on any networked PC or on removable media.
Acronis recommends that you keep master images on the computer with
Acronis OS Deploy Server installed. It minimizes network traffic during
deployment.
You can specify an image location on almost any storage device:
Hard disk drive
Network drive
Removable storage devices (CD-R/RW, DVD+R/RW, DVD-R/RW, Iomega
Zip, Iomega Jazz, MO, Flash card, etc.)
To create a master image on DVD, you must have third-party DVD-burning software
installed.
When creating a master image on removable media, make sure that the image will fit
onto one disk. The current version of Acronis Snap Deploy does not support images
spanning multiple CDs, DVDs, etc.
34
Select the image location in the disk tree. In the Filename field, enter the
image filename. If you select a network PC, you have to provide a name and
password to access the system.
The program can generate a unique file name. Just click the Generate file name for a new file button at the right.
You can store several disks in a single file, but you cannot append images to a file.
5.3.6 Setting options
Set the options for creating master image.
1. Compression level
The default setting is Normal.
Select the data compression level for the image to be created.
If you select None, the data will be copied without any compression, which
can significantly increase the image file size. However, if you select
Maximum compression, the image will take longer to create.
Generally, it is recommended that you use the default Normal compression
level. You might want to select Maximum compression for removable media
to reduce the number of blank disks required.
2. Image creation priority
The default setting is Low.
The priority of any process running in a system determines the amount of CPU
usage and system resources allocated to that process. Decreasing the image
creation priority will free more resources for other CPU tasks. Increasing of
image creation priority could speed up the imaging due to taking resources
from the other running processes. The effect will depend on total CPU usage
and other factors.
3. Archive splitting
Sizeable images can be split into several files that together make the original
image.
The default setting is Automatic. With this setting, the program will act as
follows.
When creating an image on a hard disk:
If the selected disk has enough
space and its file system allows the estimated file size, the program will create
a single image file.
If the storage disk has enough space, but its file system does not allow the
estimated file size, the image will be automatically split into several files.
FAT16 and FAT32 file systems have a 4 GB file size limit. At the same time, the
existing hard drives capacity may reach as much as 2TB. Therefore, an archive file
might easily exceed the 4 GB limit if you are going to image the entire disk.
If you do not have enough space to store the image on your har d disk, the
program will warn you and wait for your decision as to how you plan to fix the
problem. You can try to free some additional space and continue or click Back
and select another disk.
When creating an image on a diskette, CD-R/RW, DVD-R/RW or
DVD+R/RW:
Acronis Master Image Creator will ask you to insert a new disk
when the previous one is full.
You also can select Fixed size and enter the desired file size or select it from
the drop-down list. The image will then be split into multiple files of the
specified size. This comes in handy when creating an image that you plan to
burn to multiple CD-R/RW, DVD-R/RW or DVD+R/RW later on.
Creating images directly on CD-R/RW, DVD-R/RW or DVD+R/RW generally take
considerably more time than it would on a hard disk.
The current version of Acronis Snap Deploy does not support images spanning
several disks. Therefore, the Fixed Size option is intended for future versions.
4. Additional settings
You can choose to check the master image data integrity. Verification will be
performed immediately after the image is created.
The default setting is disabled.
To enable verification, check the Validate the image upon its creation
completion box.
5.3.7 Providing comments
On the wizard page Image Archive Comments, you’ll be able to provide an
archive file with comments that might include information on the master
computer and its user, the hard disk, partition data, image creation ti me and
any peculiarities and conditions.
Figure 21. Image Archive Comments
The more details that are provided, the less is the risk of using the wrong
image during deployment or making some other mistake.
5.3.8 Image creation summary
At the final step, the image creation summary is displayed. Up to this point,
you can click Back to make changes in the created task.
Clicking Proceed will launch the task execution. The task progress will be
shown in a special window. You can stop the procedure by clicking Cancel.
Figure 23. Image creation progress
5.4 Checking master image
To be assured that your images are not damaged, you can check their
integrity. To do so:
1. Connect to a remote computer where Acronis Snap Deploy Management Agent is installed or boot the computer where the
image is stored from Acronis Master Image Creator bootable CD.
2. Select Check master image in the Management Console main
3. You will see the first wizard window. Click Next to continue.
4. In the Image Archive selection window, select the image file, using
window or a respective task in Acronis Master Image Creator
menu.
Windows Explorer.
Figure 24. Image Archive Selection
5. Click Proceed to continue. The checking progress will be indicated in
the new window.
You can cancel checking by clicking Cancel.
After the check is complete, you will see the results window.
5.5 Configuring Acronis PXE Server
Acronis PXE Server allows you to boot computers with Acronis Snap Deploy
Agent and Acronis Master Image Creator so you do not have to create
bootable media.
Network computers must have PXE support to use Acronis PXE Serv er.
With Acronis Snap Deploy Management Console, you can configure Acronis
PXE Server (upload and remove Acronis Snap Deploy Agent and Acronis
Master Image Creator products).
Acronis Snap Deploy Agent boots up target PCs to establish connection
with Acronis OS Deploy Server for the deployment process.
40
Acronis Master Image Creator boots up a master PC to create a master
image from it.
1. Connect to a computer with Acronis PXE Server installed.
2. Click on Configure Acronis PXE Server in the Acronis Snap Deploy
Management Console main window.
3. Click Configure PXE Server in the Tasks sidebar to start the Update
PXE wizard and click Next.
4. Check/uncheck components you want to upload/remove and click Next.
Figure 25. Update PXE Server
The Start automatically after parameter indicates the time interval
between the remote computer boot and the selected program’s automatic
start. For example, if you check the box for Acronis Snap Deploy Agent, the
agent will launch in 10 (or whatever you select) seconds after the target PC
boots. This eliminates the need for a click on the boot menu and enables fully
remote imaging or deployment. If you do not check the Start automatically after box, the remote computer will display the boot menu and wait for your
selection.
5. In the next window you will see the server configuration summary,
containing a list of products that will be uploaded/removed. Click Proceed
to update Acronis PXE Server.
Acronis Snap Deploy Management Console permits you manage simultaneous
deployments of a master image to target PCs remotely.
Some steps of the deployment procedure may differ from those described below,
depending on the operating system.
6.1 Booting up the target PCs
1. Boot the target PCs from bootable media, PXE or RIS.
Figure 26. Acronis Snap Deploy Agent boot menu
2. Select Acronis Snap Deploy Agent in the boot menu.
Acronis Snap Deploy Agent can be configured to start automatically after several
seconds to provide fully unattended deployment. You can configure it when creating
bootable media, using a RIS package, or uploading the agent to a PXE server.
3. A dialog box comes up suggesting that you configure Acronis Snap Depl oy
Agent.
If there is no DHCP server in your network, the target computer will not be
able to connect to the network after booting Acronis Snap Deploy Agent
automatically. To enable a connection, enter the Acronis Snap D eploy Agent
configuration menu by clicking Yes in a prompt window that comes up a t boot
You can also specify the DNS name or IP address of the OS deployment
server; if you do not specify that information, the server will be found
automatically. If there are several deployment servers on the network, you
must specify the deployment server that is connected to the console or that
you are going to connect.
4. When Acronis Snap Deploy Agent starts and the target computer is ready
for deployment, the target computer displays:
Figure 30. Acronis Snap Deploy Agent: ready for deployment
The progress bar is suspended because the computer is waiting for
deployment.
6.2 Starting the Deploy Image Wizard
1. Connect to the computer with Acronis OS Deploy Server installed.
2. Click on Manage deployment icon in the Acronis Snap Deploy
Management Console main window. The Management Console window will
appear like the graphic below.
In the central part of the window you see the IP addresses of target PCs.
3. Click Deploy on target PCs in the Tasks group of the sidebar to launch
the Deploy Image wizard, then click Next in the wizard welcome
window.
6.3 Selecting target computers
Now tick off the IP addresses of target PCs. You can select all target
computers by checking All clients. Then, click Next.
Deployment
Figure 32. Target computers selection window
6.4 Selecting template mode
Template includes all deployment options (master image to deploy, user
accounts, network settings etc.). Once you have created a deployment
template, you can use it in the future and skip all the steps of the depl oyment
procedure.
You can create a new deployment template or use the existing one.
You can manage templates (create and save new templates, edit or delete
existing ones) without launching the deployment procedure. For more
6.17
information on this, see
The first time you use this function, you must select Create new template.
To edit the selected account, click Edit and change the user name, group or
password.
To delete the selected account, click the Delete button.
6.7 Computer name
At this step, you can specify name and membership of target computers.
Windows uses that information to identify computers on the network.
To generate unique names for target computers use wild card
{start[,count]}, where start – first given numeral value and count
(optional) - last numeral. For better visual perception, a wild card can be used
with text combinations for example: Text{start[,count]}.
Following examples describe the wild card using:
•{start} – use the current wild card for simple ascending enumeration of
target PCs from start number to the last PC (N):
target computers will have following names: Computer0,
Computer1, Computer2, ..., ComputerN
•
{start,count} – use the current wild card if you want to enumerate
group of target computers in ascending order from start number to the
specified count number:
have following names: Computer3, Computer4, Computer5,
Computer6
Computer{0} –
Computer{3,6} – target computers will
48
•
{start1,count1}{start2,count2} – use the current wild card for
double-valued target computers enumeration, example:
Computer{2,3}{5,4} – target computers will have following
names: Computer25, Computer26, Computer27, Computer28,
start1 (2) – the first figure in a double-valued number (2…)
count1 (3) – increasing quantity of first figures (2…, 3…, 4…)
start2 (5)– the second figure in a double-valued number(…5)
count2 (4)– increasing quantity of second figures (…5, …6, …7, …8)
Then select the membership of target PCs:
Domain -- select this option and type the domain name, if the target
PCs are to join the domain membership. You must have administrator
rights to set the domain membership.
Workgroup -- select this option and type the workgroup’s name if
target PCs are to join a workgroup.
Figure 37. Computer name
Click Next to continue.
If you have selected the domain membership, later you will be asked for the
domain administrator’s name and password.
6.8 Network settings
You can get Internet Protocol (IP) settings assigned automatically to target
computers if your network supports this capability and you have a DHCP
server connected. Otherwise, you will need to set IP properties manually.
In the Network Settings window, select:
Obtain an IP address automatically – IP addresses of target computers will
be dynamically obtained from a DHCP server.
Use the following IP addresses: – set IP addresses manually. Having
selected this setting, you will have to enter:
o Start IP address – first IP address in a range of target PCs
You can change security identifiers on target computers.
The security identifier (SID) is a data structure of variable length that
identifies user, group and computer accounts. Every account on a network is
issued a unique SID when the account is created. Internal processes in
Windows refer to an account's SID rather than its user or group name.
Check Change Security IDs to make SIDs on target computers unique.
To remove a file from the executing list, select it, then click on Remove
button.
6.13 Using Acronis Universal Deploy
Acronis Universal Deploy is an add-on option to Acronis Snap Deploy, allowing
deployment of a bootable system on hardware that differs from that of a
master computer.
6.13.1 Purpose of Acronis Universal Deploy
A system image can be deployed easily on hardware identical to that of the
master computer. However, if the target hardware has a dissimilar
motherboard, processor or hard disk controller, the deployed system could be
unbootable. An attempt to transfer the system to a new, much more powerful
computer will usually produce the same unbootable result because the new
hardware is incompatible with the most critical drivers included in the image.
Using the Microsoft System Preparation Tool (Sysprep) does not solve this
problem because Sysprep permits replacing drivers only for plug-and-play
devices (sound cards, network adapters, video cards, etc.). The system HAL
and mass storage device drivers must be identical on the source and the
target computers (see Microsoft Knowledge Base, articles 302577 and
216915).
A choice between using Sysprep and Acronis Universal Deploy is covered in
master OS preparation
.
5.2 The
Acronis Universal Deploy technology provides an efficient solution for
hardware-independent system deployment by replacing the crucial HAL and
mass storage device drivers.
6.13.2 Acronis Universal Deploy general principles
1. Automatic HAL and mass storage drivers selection
Acronis Universal Deploy searches the Windows default driver storage folders
(in the master image) for HAL and mass storage device drivers and installs
drivers that better fit the target hardware. You can specify a custom driver
repository (a folder or folders on a network drive or CD) which will also be
used for drivers search.
The Windows default driver storage folders are determined in the registry key
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\Current version\DevicePath.
Generally, it is WINDOWS/inf folder.
2. Manual selection of mass storage device driver
If the target hardware has a specific mass storage controller (such as a SCSI,
RAID, or Fibre Channel adapter) for the hard disk, you can install the
appropriate driver manually, bypassing the automatic driver search-and-install
procedure.
3. Installing drivers for plug-and-play devices
The primary goal of Acronis Universal Deploy is to boot the deployed system.
The current version of this product handles only HAL and mass storage device
drivers and does not install drivers for other devices (sound cards, network
adapters, video cards etc.). Once the deployed system starts, Windows takes
control and initiates the usual first-start process. At this point, you will be able
to specify drivers for other devices if Windows cannot find them automatically.
If you plan to deploy a system to multiple computers that are identical to each
other but differ from the master computer hardware, use Acronis Universal
Deploy to modify the master system once and then imag e an d deploy it to th e
additional computers. Acronis Universal Deploy will save you from configuring
a new master system for each system you will deploy.
6.13.3 Deploying a system on a virtual machine
Using Acronis Snap Deploy with Acronis Universal Deploy you can perform
physical-to-virtual and virtual-to-physical computer migration in the same way
as with real systems.
If the virtual hard drive uses a SCSI controller, you should provide the
appropriate drivers while performing system restore to the virtual machine.
For example, the widespread VMware environment requires Buslogic or LSI
logic drivers. Acronis recommends that you use drivers bundled with your
virtual machine software or download the latest drivers versions from the
software manufacturer website.
6.13.4 How to get Acronis Universal Deploy
Acronis Universal Deploy is an add-on option to Acronis Snap Deploy. It is
purchased separately and installed from a separate setup file on a computer
where Acronis OS Deploy Server is installed (see
installation
54
). For more information visit http://www.acronis.com.
The following is for Acronis Snap Deploy installations including Acronis
Universal Deploy.
6.13.5 Using Acronis Universal Deploy
1. Using Acronis Universal Deploy will help you create a bootable system clone
on dissimilar hardware. Choose this when deploying a system to a computer
with a different processor, motherboard or mass storage device than in the
imaged system.
The Acronis Universal Deploy option does not work if master image contains dynamic
disks and volumes.
Deployment
Figure 43. Select whether to use Acronis Universal Deploy
2. Click Next.
3. If the target hardware has a specific mass storage controller (such as a
SCSI, RAID, or Fibre Channel adapter) for the hard disk, you can install the
appropriate driver manually, bypassing the automatic driver search-and-install
procedure.
Use this option only if the automatic search-and-install procedure was
unsuccessful.
4. Click Next.
5. You can specify a path to the driver repository (a folder or folders on a
network drive or CD where the program will search for drivers).
Acronis Universal Deploy uses three sources for drivers:
- the driver repository - a folder or folders on a network drive or CD specified
at the current step
- the mass storage device driver specified by the user at the previous step
- the Windows default driver storage folders (in the master image).
The program will pick out the most suitable drivers of all available drivers and
install them into the deployed system. However, the driver defined by the
user, will have the priority. It will be installed, with appropriate warnings, even
if the program finds the better driver.
When deploying the system to a virtual machine that uses SCSI hard drive controller,
be sure to specify SCSI drivers for virtual environment in the Specifying Mass Storage Drivers window. Use drivers bundled with your virtual machine software or
download the latest drivers versions from the software manufacturer website.
6. Click Next.
6.14 Deployment options
Select the options for deployment process. You can use preset options, shown
in the current window, or make changes. The settings will be applied only to
the current task. If you want that your settings be saved as default, select
Tools -> Options from the main program menu and make changes in the
appearing window.
6.14.1 Action after deployment
Choose whether to turn off or restart the target computer after the
deployment and all associated operations, scheduled in this wizard
(transferring files, executing applications) are completed.
If the target disk capacity is not equal to that of t he master computer’s disk,
the program can enlarge (or reduce) each partition according to the
proportion of the master and target disk capa cities. Alternatively, if the target
disk is larger, the program can keep the original partitions’ size and leave the
remaining disk space unallocated.
The default setting is Occupy disk space entirely.
6.14.3 Network utilization
You can choose the data transfer mode for the deployment. With the
Multicast transfer mode, Acronis OS Deploy Server sends data to a group of
recipients simultaneously. Using the Unicast transfer mode, the server sends
a copy of the data to each recipient (this can significantly reduce the
deployment speed).
For example, you have 128 KB/sec bandwidth and want to deploy system on
10 target computers:
with Unicast mode, the server divides 128 KB/sec among 10
computers, therefore the data transfer speed will be 12.8 KB/sec for
each target machine
with Multicast mode, the server sends one copy of data to a multicast
address, and each client will receive data at 128 KB/sec speed.
Acronis Snap Deploy uses Internet Group Management Protocol (IGMP) for
the multicasting. Therefore, all the network hardware (routers and/or
switches) must be IGMP-capable and correctly configured. The specific
information on configuring any particular router or switch is usually available
in the documentation, provided with the hardware.
If there is no IGMP-capable hardware (or you can not configure it correctly) in
the network, use the Unicast data transfer mode.
6.15 Providing comments
On the wizard page Template Comments, you will be able to provide the
template with a comment that can include any information on the deployment
procedure.
With the Acronis Snap Deploy Management Console, you can manage
deployment templates (create and save new templates, edit or delete existing
ones) without launching the deployment process.
All deployment templates you have saved are stored on th e Acr onis OS Deploy
Server, so you have to establish a connection with the OS Deploy Server to
manage them.
All existing templates are listed in the Templates tab of the Management
Console window.
Figure 49. Templates tab
To create a new template, click Create template in the Tasks sidebar. Then
follow the steps for the deployment template cr eation previously described in
Chapter 6
of this guide.
To edit an existing template, click Edit template in the Tasks sidebar. Then,
make changes in the required template steps, previously described in
of this guide.
6
Chapter
To delete a template, click Delete template in the Tasks sidebar.
The Acronis Snap Deploy Management Console allows you to manage files and
folders on a remote PC. You can create and edit text files (for example batch
files or scripts), copy files/folders to the clipboard, paste them, or rename and
delete files/folders.
The Acronis Snap Deploy Management Agent must be installed on a remote PC
to perform file management operations.
Connect to the remote PC whose files and folders you want to manage. Select
Manage files from the list of operations.
In the File browse window, you will see the current partition layout. You can
manage files/directories with toolbar buttons, or by selecting the appropriate
operation in the context menu by right-clicking on the item.
Figure 50. File management
Create new text file
1. Select the directory where you want to create the file and click on the
Create new text document button in the toolbar.
2. Enter a file name in the New File window and click OK.
Edit file
1. Select a file you want to edit and click on the Edit button in the
toolbar.
2. The file will be opened with the associated editor. If the file type is not
associated with any editor, it will be opened with Windows Notepad.
1. Select a directory where you want to create a folder and click on the
Create new folder button.
2. Enter a file name in the New folder window and click OK.
Copy file/folder to clipboard
Select a file/folder you want to copy to the clipboard and click on the
Copy button.
You can copy files/folders from the remote PC and paste them to your
local machine and vice versa.
Paste file/folder from clipboard
Select a file/folder to paste from the clipboard and click on the Paste
button.
Also you can copy files/folders from your local machine and paste them to
a remote PC and vice versa.
Rename file/folder
1. Select a file/folder you want to rename and click on the Rename
button.
2. Enter a new file/folder name and press the OK button.
Delete file/folder
1. Select a file/folder you want to delete and click on the Delete button.
2. Confirm deleting file/folder by pressing the OK button.
7.2 Executing applications on a remote PC
Acronis Snap Deploy Management Console allows you to execute service
applications (for example, configuration files, scripts, etc.) on a remote PC by
creating scheduled tasks. The scheduled task contains the application to
execute and periodicity of the execution.
The Acronis Snap Deploy Management Agent must be installed on a remote PC
to perform applications execution.
7.2.1 Creating scheduled task
To create a scheduled task for application execution:
1. Connect to the remote PC where you want to execute an application.
2. Select Execute application in the list-of-operations window.
62
3. Click on the Create new scheduled task button to launch the Execute Applications Scheduler wizard.
Selecting applications
In the Application selection window, you will see the current partition
layout. To select an application, click on it.
Weekly – a task will be executed weekly or in some weeks at the specified
time and day (selected on the next step).
Monthly – a task will be executed monthly at the specified time and day
(selected on the next step).
One time only – a task will be executed once at the specified time and day
(selected on the next step).
When my computer starts – a task will be executed at OS startup.
When I log on – a task will be executed when you log into the OS.
When my computer shuts down – a task will be executed before every
shutdown or reboot.
When I log off – a task will be executed when you log off the OS.
Depending on the operating system, some of these options might be disabled.
Setting up daily execution
If you select daily execution, you will have to specify some additional
parameters. First, the Start time (hours and minutes).
In the Perform this task group, select days to execute tasks on:
• Every day
• Weekdays
x
• Every
days -- once in several days (specify the interval)
Even if the computer is turned off at the time when the task was scheduled to
run, you can execute the task later. To do this, check the parameter If the
computer was turned off at the time when the task was scheduled to
run, the system will perform the task the next time it is restarted. In
this case, the task will be executed at the next startup.
Setting up weekly execution
If you select weekly execution, you will have to specify some additional
parameters. First, the Start time (hours and minutes).
Figure 54. Weekly parameters
Specify when in the Every x weeks (each week, in a week, etc.).
Check weekdays you wish to execute the task.
Even if the computer is turned off at the time when the task was scheduled to
run, you can execute the task later. To do this, check the parameter If the
computer was turned off at the time when the task was scheduled to
run, the system will perform the task the next time it is restarted.
Setting up monthly execution
If you select monthly execution, you will have to specify some additional
parameters. First, the Start time (hours and minutes).
In the Perform this task group, select time to execute tasks on:
Day – on the specified date.
The... – on the specified weekday (e.g. second Tuesday or fourth Friday);
Even if the computer is turned off at the time when the task was scheduled to
run, you can execute the task later. To do this, check the parameter If the
computer was turned off at the time when the task was scheduled to
run, the system will perform the task the next time it is restarted.
Setting up one time execution
If you select one-time execution, you will have to specify some additional
parameters.
First, the Start time (hours and minutes). Second, the Start date.
Even if the computer is turned off at the time when the task was scheduled to
run, you can execute the task later. To do this, check the parameter If the
computer was turned off at the time when the task was scheduled to
run, the system will perform the task the next time it is restarted.
Entering user name
Specify the name of the user who owns the executed task.
Figure 57. User information
In the upper field enter user name. Enter the password in two fields below.
Task scheduled successfully
You have finished scheduling a task. The wizard will again remind you of the
details of the task provided.
To close the wizard and return to the main window, click Finish. The task
created will be named New task. You can rename it if you wish.
7.2.2 Managing scheduled tasks
If you select a task in the Active Tasks window, the following buttons in the
toolbar will be enabled:
Execute now allows you to execute the selected task immediately.
Rename allows you to give selected task a different name.
Delete allows you to delete the selected task.