How do I get programs to run off a File Server?

[PieDerro]

Okay, this is a very open ended question, so I'll narrow it down somewhat. I am not a Networking Guru or anything like that. However, I am in charge of a 120 Computer network at a school where I work. I know a fair bit about computers in general, and I guess I know more than enough to set up your average home network.

The FileServer that the school runs is known as a E-Smith Server, and is a Linux variant. The client machines are ALL Windows98SE. The fileserver has basic access security for specific directories (which it treats as logical drives on the server). I have the 120 computers that are waiting to be imaged as long as I can get the programs installed. I don't know if I should copy an image of the CD to the FileServer then install off it to the client machines (ie, Treating the File Server as a CD-Drive) or if I should install the entire program to the Fileserver (ie, run the install from the client machine, but point it to the fileserver). I'm not sure what method would be the most effective... any help is greatly appreciated

What I need to know is, How do I get CD-Based programs that require a CD to run, to run off the main fileserver? Do I copy an image of the CD to the Server and then remotely install to clients, or do I install to the clients, then set the install directory to the FileServer? Will each method work, and which method would work better? Please be aware that I want to set the "Programs" directory on the Fileserver to be "read-only" so the option of using the File Server as a virtual CD-Drive may be better, as the individual computers may need to write to the install directory while the program is being run... Note also that the school is a primary school, and the programs that I am talking about are NOT MS Office and the like (they are installed to the computers locally), but pograms like educational software. Nothing approaching High End stuff at all.

All the CDs have a site licence, so Copyright is not an issue as far as I know.

Thanks very much,

-PieDerro

 

[Vegito]

Interesting, I would like to know too...

I hear people talk about putting stuff like Microsoft Word on a server and run it off.. but NOT like terminal service for application...

Any idea how this can be done ?

Do you just do like make a short cut of \\application\Sharename\Directory\program.exe and place it on everyone's desktop ?

 

[bubba]

For things that are self contained (i.e. apps that are just an application and don't litter the system folder full of junk) you can just put a link to the shared volume on the Linux server. That way you can upgrade the software on the linux server and everyone will benefit. (Just keep the name the same)

However, for things like Office, etc. that litter files all over the place it is more difficult... I remember that Office used to have a "Sever based install" that came with some versions... Do you have such a version?

The beauty of having your applications on one machine shared to everyone is that you only have to update them once. With your setup, I am not sure how to manage the non-self-contained apps...

 

[Scarpozzi]

True...to run it off the network, you must have a server install... It requires each client to have its own license though....Microsoft watches that stuff with their products... We've only run it that way once...and it worked alright as long as all the mappings were correct on the client links.

 

[Vegito]

do you have a list of some of the apps that can be network install ?

 

[ivwshane]

If it's simply an app that you want to publish couldn't you just create an MSI file using wininstall le (it's on the win2k server cd) and then publish/assign it in a GPO. Of course that's assuming you have win2k server. Doing it that way you could run the discovery program in wininstall le and install your app and then rerun the discovery program after the install and then it creates the MSI file which you use to publish the app in AD.