SVS4USB Admin
erikw
April 20th, 2007
In your corporate network you wish to use SVS, but you don't want your users to have access to the SVS Admin. The problem is that if you go to a user's PC, you need SVS Admin to do your job.
I have a portable solution for you.
This is what you need:
- A USB stick that is U3 enabled
- This download
- 5 minutes
Interested?
- Download the zip file, and extract it.
- Start U3 on your USB stick and go to "add programs".
- Select "my PC", and select "svadmin.u3p" (included in the .zip file).
- Add it to your stick.
That's it folks.
When you go to a PC with a problem in a layer, insert the USB stick, and go to U3. You will find SVS Admin. Start it, and it gives you a view of all layers, and all the functionality you need.
This SVS Admin is the version that is in SVS 2.1 Beta 1.6. If you wish to have the version that is in Beta 2, let me know and I will upload that also in U3 format. Editor's Note: After export to The Netherlands is legal, of course!
Regards
Erik
| License: | AJSL (contributed code) and the Altiris EULA (SVS Admin) By downloading this software, you agree to the terms and conditions in both the Altiris Juice Software License and the Altiris End User License Agreement |
| Support: | User-contributed tools on the Juice are not supported by Altiris Technical Support. If you have questions about a tool, please communicate directly with the author by visiting their profile page and clicking the 'contact' tab. |
Excellent.
So this means no dependencies?
I mean, no DLL's required, and it doesn't crash when I start the tool on a machine that doesn't have SVS installed?
FrankB
______________________________________________
Frank Bastiaens
Senior Technical Consultant
Vanderlet B.V.
alternate admin console
Frank, if you agree, i cann do the same with the alternate admin console that you have builded. It is a very good program to make u3 enabled.
Regards
Erik
Regards
Erik
www.DinamiQs.com
Dinamiqs is the home of VirtualStorm (www.virtualstorm.org)
You're welcome..
You're welcome to do it ErikW. In the mean time I've ordered the U3 on the rewards site, so I can make (and test) the future packages also.
FrankB
______________________________________________
Frank Bastiaens
Senior Technical Consultant
Vanderlet B.V.
Awesome, I know a lot of
Awesome, I know a lot of people will be happy because of this.
I need to try this out myself too, how do you turn on U3 or know your USB drive is compatible?
If a forum post solves your problem please flag is as the solution
I you like an article, blog post or download vote it up
U3 support
Guy's, just go to www.u3.com. There is everything about U3.
With the current version that is posted you need svs on the machine installed.
I developed also a version on u3, but i did it with cracking some code, and that is definetly not oke by Altiris.
I submitted a request for help packaging it on U3 to the people that really developed the u3 technology.
Just have to wait for some answers.
And when it works, probably i going to sell lots of usb sticks ( just kidding) because a lot of people wants to have this.
Regards
Erik
Regards
Erik
www.DinamiQs.com
Dinamiqs is the home of VirtualStorm (www.virtualstorm.org)
SVS4USB Admin
Cool Erik,
now I order to 2 GB Cruzer Titanium U3 of SVS
for 735 points. (YA)
Greeting
Frank
Google English…
SVSLoad.com
Juicemaster get ready
The Juicemaster should be ordering lot's of Cruzers. Probably a lot of people are going to exchange they're Juice points.
Is it a idea to build u3p packages of all the tools on the Juice.
Only takes 5 minutes with the packager?
One 2GB Cruzer loaded with SvS tools.
LOL
Regards
Erik
Regards
Erik
www.DinamiQs.com
Dinamiqs is the home of VirtualStorm (www.virtualstorm.org)
Cruzer
The idea is good.
The Cruzer with SvS tools and the PortableApps Suite
Regards
Frank
Google English…
SVSLoad.com
Cruzer Titanium 4GB
Whether can we probably get also the Cruzer Titanium 4 GB?
greeting
Frank
Google English…
SVSLoad.com
Cruzer 4GB
We'll be announcing a very nice deal on the 4 GB Cruzer this coming week. You'll learn more in your Juice Points statement.
JM
Which Cruzer?
I like the Freedom. They position it for K-12 students, but the design would benefit us IT road warriors as well. Not just harder to break, but also harder to lose. Or the Contour -- it's very sexy and available in an 8GB version.
Leaning toward ...
I'm leaning toward the 4GB Titanium.
We currently offer the 2GB Titanium (I own one myself). Not as sexy as the Contour but very durable.
JM
Good action
JM,
I really appreciate that my post has lead to a extension of the rewards.
I'm very curious about the 4GB Cruzer.
I myself own 6 1GB USB sticks. I use them with with all kinds of stuff.
1 is with Linux, and is the staroff for VMware ESX.
1 is containing a complete Windows XP. If a PC doesn't boot anymore, I insert the key and boot from that. Then I have access to all data on that machine, and can copy it to a 160GB portable hard disk.
The 3 is starting DOS boot, and searches for Deployment Solutions. That is a good one for helping me solve accessibility issues in Deployment Solutions.
One stick has BartPE on it. That one is able to start PE, and buildup a Citrix session by discovering the Citrix servers.
These USB sticks are a real enhancement for my work.
Regards
Erik
Regards
Erik
www.DinamiQs.com
Dinamiqs is the home of VirtualStorm (www.virtualstorm.org)
Cruzer 4GB
JM,
Do your best to get Cruzer that are going over 4GB.
I finally managed to get a SVS version on a stick.
Insert the stick in any PC, and you got SVS with your own layers.
The version I built is 3MB, and has a free growing virtual registry and fslrdr directory.
The only thing I now have to do is test, test, test and finally test it.
And then I will post it.
regards
Erik
Regards
Erik
www.DinamiQs.com
Dinamiqs is the home of VirtualStorm (www.virtualstorm.org)
4GB in Rewards Catalog
Good work Erik!
We've added the 4GB Cruzer to the catalog and the good news is ... it costs less than the 2GB drive did when we added it 6 months ago.
WooHoo!
wow!!
that's really good news JM... and its very tempting too!
lets see if i can resist ;p
Thanks!
Good action
That is a real good action.
The 2gb cruzer more then half cheaper and the 4gb for 500 points.
You're forcing me to stay up late to finish my job.
i'm going to work on it asap. But first i have to do my own job. getting 8 vmware esx servers on the run with deployment solution.
That is going to be a whole day of scripting tomorrow.
regards
Erik
Regards
Erik
www.DinamiQs.com
Dinamiqs is the home of VirtualStorm (www.virtualstorm.org)
Prize list
@Juicemaster
Hi, the price list is adapted sometimes?
I mean,
the Prize for e.g. 80GB iPod is for a long time
2,335 point.
For a long Time, by Amazon / eBay 400€, now ca. 270€.
Will there soon be also new prices?
THX
regard
FrankM
Google English…
SVSLoad.com
Sorry Frank
Apple's price for an 80GB iPod has not been reduced since we added the player to our catalog.
If you are able to find a discounted price on Amazon.com, can I suggest that you trade in your points for an Amazon gift certificate and order one that way?
Regards,
JM
80GB iPod
THX Kevin
but the Amazon gift certificate is in $, I need in € (EUR)for Amazon.de
Is this possible? A gift certificate in Euro?
regard
Frank*M
Google English…
SVSLoad.com
We aim to please ...
No problem Frank. We can work with you to redeem your points for an Amazon.de certificate.
Be sure you specify Amazon.de in your request. We've learned (the hard way) that Amazon.com certificates can only be spent at Amazon.com and not any of the other Amazons ... go figure.
JM
I just ordered a 16GB Cruzer in anticipation ...
... of this SVS4USB working.
Apparently it's only good for 100K writes though ... so got to reduce the write IO.
tim
There now is the 4 GB. Fast
There now is the 4 GB. Fast order,Franky!
The longest Journey begins with a first Step!
4 GB
@grandilobum
Do you mean me?
Yes, I am already in consider. The price is great OK. Time see what it still comes.
redgards
Frank
Google English…
SVSLoad.com
Rather
Rather immediately,otherwise everything away!
G.Grandi
The longest Journey begins with a first Step!
mojopac
Can your excellent solution -svs4usb- work with mojopac (os "virtualization")?
thanks
Yes this works in Mojopac
Yes,
This version works in Mojopac, but I can also build a complete version in Mojopac. Mojopac allows the complete file and registry setting to be brought to a USB stick or iPod. It doesn't even need U3 enabled.
Mojopac costs 49 dollars a license, but you can use it for 30 days or 200 boots for free.
www.mojopac.com
I can also write a script to deploy Mojopac with Altiris Deployment Solution.
Regards
Erik
www.DinamiQs.com
Dinamiqs is the home of VirtualStorm (www.virtualstorm.org)
mojopac+altiris
Hi Erikw,
Great job!
Today I have to play !!!
I encourage you to work on it.
regards
I see your current version
I see your current version working really well with U3. For this the only thing to be requested is buy a USB U3 standard compatible.
As I know Mojopack has a little bit different approach, it transforms every USB memory with a U3 similar features. But it costs 50$ ....
BTW I'll continue to use the USB memory with U3 I think is easy and no cost more peanuts than the others.
The price and quality are
The price and quality are correct.
The longest Journey begins with a first Step!
So...
Since we have the SVS Admin on a USB key, does that mean that we can create layers on our USB key and take them with us?
No, not with this
No, not with this version.
What this application does is allow you to have SVS Admin installed on the USB drive so you don't have to have it installed on the base. SVS itself must still be installed on the base (i.e. the driver and DLLS).
One of the things that prevent SVS from being on a USB is how drivers work in Windows, there are ways to hack it but it's not something that will be officially supported any time soon.
That won't prevent the hacks from showing up on the Juice at some time but they'll be making SVS do something it isn't designed to do.
If a forum post solves your problem please flag is as the solution
I you like an article, blog post or download vote it up
Preventing users from using SVS admin can be done easier
Don't wanna spoil your (good) work, but in our company we installed the SVS admin, removed the shortcuts from the startmenu and configured permissions on the SVS admin executable.
Users are simply denied access on the executable.
Removing shortcuts
K00tje,
It is indeed easier to remove the shortcuts to the SVS admin, and to set rights on the svsadmin tool.
Still it only takes 2 minutes to get it running even without hacking experience.
There are better and more secure methods.
Regards
Erik
Regards
Erik
www.DinamiQs.com
Dinamiqs is the home of VirtualStorm (www.virtualstorm.org)
No U3 No mojopac
Hi Erik,
I currently don't have a U3 drive (though I might get one sometime) and mojopac doesn't install at all on my system.
But I've had good results with Ceedo. Is there any way you might be able to get it to work on that platform? ... That'd be a big help to many and present an alternative to people.
Thanks!
Rajat
Hi Erik, While I'm waiting
Hi Erik,
While I'm waiting for my U3 usb stick (and an answer to my last comment here :), I've a few questions for you:
- Does the machine where you put in the usb stick, need to have SVS installed at all or not?
- I've attempted to put some layers on a removable drive, and changed the registry to point to the new locations. The layers just won't activate. So in this case here, I suppose (as i've not got a chance to try yet), the layers are on the stick and they work fine. So does U3 take care of this stuff or you had to do some black magic to make this happen?
Thanks!
Black magic
Rajat,
You do not need SVS on the machine.
The only thing you need is a U3 capable stick. And of course my SVS version.
Start SVS from the U3 version. it registers the driver, and then you can create activate, deactivate, reset and import layers.
All layers reside on the USB stick, where the SVS is on the U3 stick in the directory \System\Apps\9150C14C-6798-4F80-AF52-F0C5EEFB1B04
The U3 sees what drive letter you have, and remaps that with a variable.
Regards
Erik
Regards
Erik
www.DinamiQs.com
Dinamiqs is the home of VirtualStorm (www.virtualstorm.org)
Not considering layers
Not considering layers, are there some other components that can grow up the disk space on the U3 USB stick?
Thanks
PM
Yes, disk space is a thing to consider
All information in the layers is on the U3 disk.
That includes the double size of the package (once the read layer and once the write layer).
The second thing is to decide where you put your data.
Do you store it on the USB stick? Then the size will grow.
The registry information of the layers is also on the USB stick in a manifest file that handles it.
You can decide to put layers on the USB stick, and on the fixed disk in your PC. That does mean that when you take your stick with you, you have no way to use these apps.
One of the things that I'm looking at is to separate the layers.
If you build a VSA, then the read layer will stay on the local machine, and the read/write layer will stay on the USB stick.
In that case you will not have the option to reset a layer when you take it on a different PC.
Regards
Erik
Regards
Erik
www.DinamiQs.com
Dinamiqs is the home of VirtualStorm (www.virtualstorm.org)
Erik, thanks for your
Erik, thanks for your considerations, I think that your SVS4USB Admin is sure a great way to have a SVS portable and easy to use.
Also I hope that you are able to update with the new Beta 2.
Regards
PM
Thanks Eric
Thanks Eric for the explanation. However, if you don't mind, I'd like to actually understand the whole working of this nice U3 version you've prepared.
You can contact me privately for this if you so wish.
Thanks again!
Problem
Erik,
I received my U3 4GB disk today. I tried your SVS U3 package but it didn't work for me.
On my system (with SVS installed) the SVSAdmin loads and shows the layers on my system.
On another XP system (NO SVS installed), when i select SVSAdmin from the launchpad, the menu shows 'initializing' for a second and then nothing. The disk shows activity for a long time but nothing comes up.
What do you suggest?
Thanks!
SvS4Usb
Rajat,
For svs4usb admin you need to have svs installed. It is only the admin that picks up the local svs with layers.
You need svs4usb completely.
Regards
Erik
www.svs4u.nl
Regards
Erik
www.DinamiQs.com
Dinamiqs is the home of VirtualStorm (www.virtualstorm.org)
Didn't get it
Sorry Erik, I don't understand it fully.
Ok lets keep this simple.
Task : Keep layers and SVS on U3 USB stick. And make them available on any system without SVS being installed on it.
How do I do this exactly?
Regards,
Rajat
Quest solved! Help wanted
I solved the quest in the ultimate tool.
SvS4usb on a stick. There is even no u3 needed.
But now I encountered a slight problem, and I wish all the contributors that are posting the great tools on the Juice.
First of all some information:
SvSadmin and the svscmd.exe are calling a kernel mode filter driver named fslx.sys located in the %windir%\system32. Every call for a function, (activate, deactivate, reset, capturing etc) calls the kernel mode driver to reveal its great secret.
I created the ultimate tool that I called svs4usb, and there are a lot of users on the Juice that want it.
The tool is ready and does the job. But! Yes there is a but!
I need a vbscript that can be incorporated in the tool that starts fslx.sys.
So the tool should be doing the following:
execute %windir%\system32\fslx.sys.
name it svs.vbs and I will be lucky.
I can put this vbscript in my svs and it will work.
Then you will be able to create layers, reset layers, and do all the other tasks that this great application performs.
Regards
Erik
www.svs4u.nl
Regards
Erik
www.DinamiQs.com
Dinamiqs is the home of VirtualStorm (www.virtualstorm.org)
How about Ceedo?
Erik
I am really looking forward to SvS4usb... on a non U3 drive. No Mojopac either.
Have you looked at a port to Ceedo?
Also, is there any way to have the fslx.sys included on the usb drive? I can't seem to find it on the "locked down" PC at work.
Thanks in advance..
Matt
SVS4USB Admin
Hey Erik.
Ich habe nun nach so langer Zeit auch einen Cruzer (4 GB) lol
Natürlich musste ich sofort Dein "SVS4USB Admin" auf dem Stick
packen.
Wenn ich das Programm starten will passiert aber nichts weiter. ???
Grüße
Frank
Google English…
SVSLoad.com
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