Welcome to SolsticeTM AutoClientTM 2.1
This model reduces the number of managed objects by using name services to centralize system configuration information and Solstice AutoClient to eliminate software management on the desktop.
Solstice AutoClient turns the desktop's disk into a cache for the operating system, applications, and user data. When a Solstice AutoClient client accesses an application that is not already in its disk cache, that application is downloaded. If the application already resides in the client's disk cache, the application is accessed locally. Solstice AutoClient clients do not have to be backed up and are field replaceable units (FRUs). Solstice AutoClient is ideal for any network where scalability is important. Following the initial read of data into the desktop's disk cache, network traffic and CPU load are reduced, allowing a higher client/server ratio than diskless or dataless client types.
Benefits
Solstice AutoClient reduces SolarisTM operating system desktop management costs by:
- Centralizing desktop administration: Desktop administration costs are reduced by allowing desktops to be managed from a server instead of individually.
- Making the desktop a field replaceable unit: A FRU can be easily replaced in the event of a hardware failure. This minimizes user down time, which is a principal component of the costs associated with desktop management.
- Eliminating software installations on desktops: Solstice AutoClient clients can be created in a matter of minutes, reducing the system administrator's setup time. Once in operation, a Solstice AutoClient client pulls applications and data needed from the server. This provides built-in software distribution for Solstice AutoClient clients, so software applications do not need to be installed on each desktop.
- Eliminating desktop backups: Because Solstice AutoClient desktops have only cached data, there is no need to back them up. This saves considerable time and resources and eliminates the need for backup licenses for each desktop.
Features
Solstice AutoClient offers several key features.
Centralized Administration Model
Solstice AutoClient is a key component of the centralized administration model. This model provides a specific strategy for managing client/server environments. It utilizes name services to provide a central repository for configuration information, and eliminates the need for client-side desktop management.
Centralized Desktop Management
Solstice AutoClient combines the centralized administration benefits of the diskless client model with the performance benefits of a stand-alone. System administrators can apply the same tools they normally use on individual, discrete desktops across all the Solstice AutoClient clients at one time.
Hands-Off Installation
System administrators no longer need to visit each desktop to install software. They configure the Solstice AutoClient client on the server, and after an initial boot net the operating system is automatically cached to the desktop. Solstice AutoClient provides an alternative to the traditional push method of software, eliminating the need to explicitly install software on the desktop.
Field Replaceable Units
Solstice AutoClient clients hold only cached data; the server holds all original data where it can be securely managed. In the event of a Solstice AutoClient desktop hardware failure, the machine can be replaced and booted via the network. The user downtime is significantly reduced.
Enhanced Server Scalability
Solstice AutoClient reduces NFS reads and network traffic, improving the NFS server scalability. The client/server ratio of Solstice AutoClient workgroups is much higher than diskless or dataless workgroups.
Disconnectable Option
This option allows a Solstice AutoClient client to continue to operate when the server is unavailable.
Command Line Interface
Allows administrators to choose between the GUI or CLI to perform operations.
Efficient System-wide Reboot
Clients reboot directly from cache, reducing the network traffic during a system-wide reboot.
Centralized Client Patching
Patching of Solstice AutoClient clients is done in a centralized way.
Remote Halting and Remote Booting of Clients
Solstice AutoClient allows the system administrator to remotely halt clients and remotely boot them, providing the administrator control from a management console.
Operation Logging
Creates a log entry for each major operation completed with host manager, providing a record of past transactions for diagnostic purposes.
Automatic Booting of Intel Systems
Solstice AutoClient allows the creation of an MDB diskette that enables Intel machines to automatically boot from the network.
- Sparc, Ultra, or x86 system running Solaris 2.3 through Solaris 7 with minimum 32MB RAM
Disk Requirements
- 100 MB minimum
New Features
The Solstice AdminSuiteTM 2.3 and AutoClient 2.1 product includes the following new features:- Remove OS Services Functionality: The Host Manager tool now enables you to remove OS services from an OS server.
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Add Remote Printer Functionality: The Printer Manager tool now has added functionality that enables you to add a remote printer on print servers running Solaris 2.5.1 through 7.
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Group Password Functionality: Using the Group Manager tool, you can now set the group password for added security and privacy for your group files.
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Script Feature: Using Host Manager and User Manager, you can run user specified and created scripts. This feature enables you to run a
script that customizes adding, modifying, or deleting a user or
host.
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Enhanced Root User Support: AdminSuite now has additional support for users running as root.
- Improved Installation Procedure: The installation script has been improved to make the installation and setup of AdminSuite and AutoClients easier.