DS agents and Vista!!!

Whenever deploying Vista with DS and using the NS to deploy the AClient then PLEASE make sure NOT to install the regular AClient , but use only the DAgent.

What happend:
We created a vista image and our XML, we deployed with Altiris Deployment Server and everything went fine. We use a runonce command to install the latetst NS and DS agent the at the first logon and the a reboot after 30 seconds.
After the reboot the NS agent agent starts communicating with the NS Server and gets its sub agents like SWD, PM, App Met, etc...If yo use the standard task to deploy the AClient then an (old) Aclient agent will be installed in addition to the already installed DAgent after a while.

In our case this resulted in a reconfiguration of the PC into the workgroup "WORKGROUP" after a reboot.
The collection of this task should be altered to prevent this task to be run on a VISTA Pc, so just clone the standard Collection to be used and add the exclusion of All Windows VISTA computers.
Running a Configuration job didn't fix the problem (I guess both agents wants to take control)

In any case, prevent the presence of 2 DS agents (Dagent and Aclient) on a VISTA...believe me.

Notification Server 6.0 SP3 R5

R5 Release notes : https://kb.altiris.com/article.asp?article=31946&p=1

R5 includes updated versions of the Altiris Agent and the Package Server agent. After installing R5 onto the Notification Server, the Altiris Agent and Package Server agent packages will be updated. Upgrade policies for these agents are located in the Configuration tab of the Altiris Console under Configuration > Altiris Agent > Altiris Agent Rollout and Configuration > Server Settings > Notification Server Infrastructure > Package Server Agent Rollout.

Altiris Administrator Software Development Kit 1.4

New Features Release 1.4 implements the following new features:

• A PatchManagement library has been added. A list of new functions is available
• Release 1.4 has added a fourth "layer"—ASDK functionality for some solutions can now be accessed as pre-defined tasks that can be run directly in Altiris Task Management solution. These Administrator Software Development Kit tasks will appear in the Create a New Task dialog under the Server Tasks folder if you check the various "Tasks" checkboxes when installing the ASDK. (Task Management Solution and the underlying Notification Server solution must first be installed or the Task check ox for that solution will not appear.) To access the Create a New Task dialog, right-click on the Server Tasks folder in the Tasks tree in NS, then select New => Task/Job. Tasks exist for the NS, Patch Management, Asset Management, Helpdesk and Software Delivery (full) ASDK libraries.

VMWare Workstation 6.0 Released

For downloads: http://www.vmware.com/download/ws/

But be aware...This is a 275MB download

For the VISTA lovers....read the know issues...

Installing Out of Band Management OOBM does not install .NET 2.0 - Installs fail to install the Intel SCS if .NET 2.0 is not installed

Installs fail to install the Intel SCS if .NET 2.0 is not installed - Via Solution Center.
Installing with AICM causes Out of Band Management to fail to install due to the above reason.

Resolution

The following steps should be followed when installing OOBM:

1. NS should already be installed with .NET 1.1. This is essential for proper function when installing .NET 2.0.
2. Install .NET 2.0.
3. Install Altiris OOBM.

If the install is already complete for the base OOBM install, follow these steps:

1. Install .NET 2.0.
2. Download the file: Altiris_OOBSC_6_1.exe from www.solutionsam.com/solutions/6_0.

3. Execute the file on the Notification Server.

How to Create a Bootable USB Memory Key

I ran into this great article that goes through the steps to make your USB key bootable. A must read for all of us system admins. Here is the link:http://www.bay-wolf.com/usbmemstick.htm

Installing WinPE on a USB Device

A very nice document on Installing WinPE on a USB Device

http://juice.altiris.com/article/1344/installing-winpe-on-a-usb-device
http://juice.altiris.com/article/1569/installing-winpe-on-a-usb-device-part-ii-the-menu

WINPE 2.0 should be possible in DS6.8SP1

Altiris has shipped an article to allow WINPE 2.0 to be used by DS6.8SP1.
After some searching we were able to start the WINPE 2.0

The procedure is unclear about a lot of things and the ISO image created is again larger so it take longer to load.

Thx Stephane for the feedback