Deployment Solution

Good morning,

First time poster so, please bear with me.

Is it possible to add a computer to a filter when deploying the original image on DS 7.1

For example....Currently, when we create the image and deploy it, the machine checks in as normal and it automatically starts pulling down the software packages we've created.

What I would like to do, is somehow add a task or filter (something) to circumvent this when needed.

Please let me know if this makes sense, or if you need further clarification.

I've been doing some research/searching and here is the closest match I've found.

http://www.symantec.com/connect/forums/ds71-it-possible-have-taskscript-add-computer-filter

Thanks,

Ben-

Soooo, you do NOT want any software to "automatically" install post imaging, correct?

Why not drop it into an OU or something that is automatically on the "exclude" list of all your other policies?

Yes.

I apologize if I've presented this and it's confusing.

My limited understanding of the process is...

When we push the image to the machine, it installs Altiris, then it checks in, then it starts pulling down tasks/policies. (In a very basic nutshell. Feel free to educate me on this if I'm wrong though! If I don't have my process in order then, I'm already starting off on the wrong foot.)

I can't find a way to say, install the agent and then STOP before it pulls down all the polices. 

I was told that I could create exclusions for each policy that I've created but, that would be quite an undertaking as well. 

It is an undertaking.

Perhaps the right question would be - WHY do you want it to NOT install things?

My overall goal.

I'd like to be able to make a base image with Altiris agent installed already but not all the extra software/hardware.

Ideally, we could create this base image, take that and choose the specific hardware to install and then push that image to the PC or laptop.

Currently, everytime we receive a new model PC or laptop. We install all the hardware/software and what not, create the image, push it to a fresh machine, then install Altiris and then wait for it to update. Even with the force it can take awhile to do so.

If we can have a base image for everything, choose the hardware to install and then push the image with Altiris agent already installed it can then check in and then pull the rest of the software and it's updates.

Any other thoughts here?

All of YOUR software has to be targeting a specific filter or filters, right?  So make sure your "source system" is NOT in that filter.  This goes back to the custom OU idea.  The agents will download and install, but your software should not.  Just keep the system off the domain right?  Then you shouldn't get all the software and you should be able to avoid the "dance" you're currently facing.

I'd take care of it all with filters, either with an exclude filter, or apply filters, or a combination of both.

I don't know a better way.  Sorry.

Thomas,

You have been most helpful. Thank you for all your input.