[Casper] Deploy Studio

[John Wetter]

Hi Dustin,

An interesting take.   When I was listening to the presentation, to me it just sounded like it would be a great version of Casper Imaging utility.  Just for the Netboot environment to be able to graphically do all of the workflows we're doing with scripting right now while imaging.  I could definitely see this for the imaging of being able to build the job of formatting, installing, patching, etc.

I think the one thing lost on a good amount of the audience is that everything Deploy Studio does is one little corner of what Casper does.  I can see huge value in it making Casper Imaging easier, but still just a little corner.  I heard one person behind me say "Why do we need Casper now?"  So, it sounds like there's still some education out there as far as really managing Macintosh computers.  I guess it's a case of where EDU is just moving a little slower than everyone else and not wanting to admit that we're enterprise environments.

-John


On 2/5/09 2:54 PM, "Dorey, Dustin" <Dustin.Dorey at district196.org> wrote:

Ok so I just got back from that apple event and they demoed Deploy Studio, and I'd like to point out that he compared it to NetRestore but made a point to say it does not replace Casper.
In any case for what it is, it is really really nice.  A huge improvement on Netrestore and shares a lot of similarities with casper in an imaging way only, you know without the management, package building, remote tools  and inventory pieces.   Unfortunately they did not talk about pxe booting non-apple hardware or anything that didn't involve building stuff off of anything but apple hardware.   He did mention that there is now a Wiki for documentation.  So maybe that will grow.

Hey JAMF if you're reading this, one thing that was cool was the partitioning was built into the workflow and it supported partitioning for os x, windows, and Linux pre laying down the image.   Any way to get preflight disk utility functions built into casper w/o having to script it?
-Dusty-
Dustin Dorey
Technology Support Cluster Specialist
ISD 196 Apple Valley, Eagan, Rosemount
dustin.dorey at district196.org
952|423|7971



From: casper-bounces at list.jamfsoftware.com [mailto:casper-bounces at list.jamfsoftware.com] On Behalf Of Thomas Larkin
Sent: Wednesday, February 04, 2009 3:23 PM
To: casper at list.jamfsoftware.com
Subject: [Casper] Deploy Studio

has anyone looked at this?  While I don't see anything it does that Casper Doesn't, it does do one really neat thing.   I supports PXE booting.  So, you can feasibly have PC clients netboot (or PXE boot as they call it) to it and image Windows or Linux to them.  This sounds very interesting for mixed client environments.  While, I have not played with it yet, I was curious if anyone on the list has used it with Casper or what not.


I mean if I could also use one server technology to image all of our Windows clients, that would be kind of neat.  You could then have one Xserve do it all.  Casper does have some, unsupported, but working tools to image Windows on a Mac.  I have used them and they do work.


I have way too much on my plate to even attempt looking at Deploy Studio, however, if anyone else has tinkered with it, what are your thoughts?  I was thinking if possible down the road I may run Deploy studio on my Xserves in each building for netboot and imaging the PCs only, and then keep Casper for the Macs.  I really like the auto run data and would not want to give that up.


http://www.deploystudio.com/Home.html <http://www.deploystudio.com/Home.html>


Thoughts?  Experiences?


Thanks,


___________________________
Thomas Larkin
TIS Department
KCKPS USD500
tlarki at kckps.org
blackberry:  913-449-7589
office:  913-627-0351






--
John Wetter
Technology Support Administrator
Educational Technology, Media & Information Services
Hopkins Public Schools
952-988-5373
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