Advanced Remote Administration software for XP

[theGrimReapist]

I'm looking for remote administration software that will allow me to access all the computers on our network at once, and update/play with them all simultaneously. Does software like this exist, or is remote admin reserved purely for one-on-one programs like VNC and pcAnywhere?

 

[phisrow]

The tools built into recent Windows domain controller setups can be pretty useful for this sort of thing. NT4 was something of a nightmare, but 2000/XP/2003 have some cute tricks. You can tweak all sorts of defaults and security variables, as well as implimenting .msi type installers as group policies. Installing office 2000 on every computer in every computer lab in all the middle schools in a given town, to give one example, with a single drag and drop is a very cute trick. That would be the first thing to look into, assuming you have a reasonably robust Windows based network already.
As far as third party tools go, I've not had experience with too many; but I've had both pleasant experienc with, and good recommendations of, Hyena (http://www.systemtools.com/hyena/hyena_main.htm).

 

[theGrimReapist]

Thanks! I was under the impression that the WindowsXP remote administration tools were only capable of administering one computer at a time.

 

[mikecel79]

You need to break this down more.

• Remote Administration - Configuring policies and settings on Windows XP machines. This can be accomplished through Group Policy which is built into Windows 2k and up. You will nedd a domain to manage this more effectively

• Remote Control - You can use Windows XP built-in Remote Assistance for this. Or you can get a third party utility and use that. VNC is one, as is PCAnywhere

• Patching/Updates - This can be accomplished using AD, however it's best for application deployments, not for patching. Even then it's limited to what it can do. SUS from Microsoft does security patching very well and it's free. ANother product is SMS from Microsoft or Zenworks from Novell. Both do application deployments, patching, remote control, inventory, reporting, etc. Basically everything you need to manage your systems.

SMS and Zenworks are more in line with your goal of "administration software" that accomplishes everything in one neat little package.

 

[NEOSOLACE]

I've been working with Intel LanDesk for some time and I know that it seems a hell of alot better than SMS or most of the MS stuff....just my two cents.