Remote Install on laptops

[alan-d]

We use MSI's to distribute software to all our machines. With PCs this is not a problem as they automatically switch on at 0730 so everything is installed and ready to go by the time the first user gets in at about 0800.

 

However, our laptops (over 200) can't use wol and are locked away in the recharging cabinets. Installing MSIs works fine but does cause an obvious delay the first time they are used which is a bit unfair on the kids. Especially as they all work over the wireless kit.

 

Does anyone out there have a super duper bit of software or kit that will allow MSIs to be installed on these laptops?

 

At the moment we have to go around and boot up every one which is really annoying and time consuming.

 

Any suggestons?

[MkII]

Can't you arrange for them to be left on when they're put away, pluged into the lan? > Install the software, reboot if necessary, then shutdown - all remotely? {I'm assuming the charging cabinets can take network cables]

[alan-d]

I thought of that - but Bursar had a fit because it uses too much electricity (don't ask!!!). When I did ask staff to leave them on - most forgot several times :crybaby:

 

The recharge cabinets don't have any connections.

[speckytecky]

Forgive me if this is a silly question but any chance your recharging cabinets could be adapted so they do have the connections?

[MkII]

If the machines can be left on in the [modified ] cabs [or otherwise], you could install the software immediately after sch and have them turned off soon after. I don't see why the Bursar would have a problem with that. Fair enough if they were on all night - but they're not.

[Norphy]

Do the staff have local admin rights on the laptops? If so, what you could do is publish the software to the user instead of the machine. That way you could send out an email saying "Right, Package X is avaiable, do "X Y Z" to install it if you want it".

 

Other than that, the only thing I can suggest is that you use something like SMS or the Ghost Solution Suite to push the software out when they are on.

[pete]

if you modified the cabinets (patch panels etc), you could set the bios to wake the machine up at 3am every or certain days (depends on the quality of your BIOS) and download patches / deployed packages. Provided you can then ensure that your deployment method shuts them down once everything is installed, the bursar shouldn't grumble.

 

It's an arse to set the BIOS on all 200, but it's a one-off.

[alan-d]

Like most laptops wol isn't available on the laptops (I'll check again in the morning)

 

I suppose trying to fit an old switch or hub into the cabinets might work, if we didn't have to rely on the staff or students to plug them in etc.

 

Looks like my tecchies are going to get plenty of exercise

 

(Now where did I put that whip? ) :twisted:

[pete]

Like most laptops wol isn't available on the laptops (I'll check again in the morning)

 

if this was in response to my suggestion, I'm not referring to wol. Most bios have an "at time $foo on day $bar, turn on the machine" setting independent of whether wol is available as an option. I know IBM kit has it, and most HPs.

[Ric_]

wouldn't turning a number of laptops on in a confined space for a couple of hours be detrimental to their health if it's repeated regularly?

[Irazmus]

If they're anything like our RM laptops they'll get very hot very quickly. Kids keep putting them away without waiting for them to shut down, and if they're halfway through a WSUS update they sometimes get stuck and don't sleep or power off :x

[alan-d]

Like most laptops wol isn't available on the laptops (I'll check again in the morning)

 

if this was in response to my suggestion, I'm not referring to wol. Most bios have an "at time $foo on day $bar, turn on the machine" setting independent of whether wol is available as an option. I know IBM kit has it, and most HPs.

 

I'll check it out later today

[Guest]

wouldn't turning a number of laptops on in a confined space for a couple of hours be detrimental to their health if it's repeated regularly?

 

Not to mention a Health and Saftey issue surely?