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  • 1.  Distribute Image Task with Multicast fails to Image

    Posted Dec 16, 2015 04:31 PM

    I have been working on getting our new ghost server set up using GSS 3.0 HF3, and have run into difficulty distributing our image using multicast.

     

    When  I distribute the image without the multicast option selected on the options screen for a task, the image deploys to the desired machines with no problem...but it seems that this puts more load on the server than need be so I would like to get the multicast working.

     

    If I select either of the multicast options (session or peer-to-peer) the computers restart into automation, but then exit out of the ghost client after a minute or so and reboot back into windows.  The computer displays the DAgent Service window, but it never opens ghost64.exe to attempt to connect to the cast session.

     

    I thought this might be related to a new switch we had recently installed, so I manually set up a ghostcast session and joined each machine to it manually through a ghost boot usb.  The ghostcast worked as intended and imaged the machines on the cast.  So it shouldnt be a problem with our network setup blocking multicast or anything like that.  It must be a configuration problem on either the server or client, but I am not sure what to look for at this point.

     

    Any thoughts or ideas on my problem, or has anyone else run into something similar?



  • 2.  RE: Distribute Image Task with Multicast fails to Image

    Posted Dec 17, 2015 11:04 AM

    Try and add the switch to identify the IP Address of the computer that is running the Ghost Cast Sesion from.

    -jaddr=xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx



  • 3.  RE: Distribute Image Task with Multicast fails to Image

    Posted Dec 17, 2015 11:25 AM

    Here is an interesting note I just discovered while reviewing this. Not sure if I discovered a bug or what is going on.

    The step I outlined above works but it seems that when I add the -jaddr parameter in the Additional Parameters field it will work if you start the sesion right away. The problem is it does not save the -jaddr parameter. If I close the configuration window and reopen it that item is removed. I know this was not the case in previous versions. I have gone back and looked at all my old tasks and not a single one has the parameter saved to it.

    As it looks now everytime you want to run the task you would need to add the -jaddr switch back in and start the task.

    We are curently on HF3. Maybe someone from Symantec can answer why it is not saved.



  • 4.  RE: Distribute Image Task with Multicast fails to Image

    Posted Dec 18, 2015 01:50 PM

    The way I do it is to set the multicast option in the standalone ghostcast server application. Then start a new session and wait for the client to connect.

    Back in the console, you set your task to connect to that session. When all your client are connected, you send your image.



  • 5.  RE: Distribute Image Task with Multicast fails to Image

    Posted Dec 18, 2015 06:19 PM

    fseaide:  Yeah, I am on the verge of trying that to see if that method would work.  Id like it to be more automated than that, but if thats the only way I can get it to work then I guess I will try that.  Still beats having to walk around to a lab of computers connecting them to a cast session manually. :D

     

    AlohaTech:  In the process of trying to figure this out, I seem to have broken what had been working to image a single computer.  I havent tried specifying that in my cast parameters, but got to looking at the others that are more or less predefined.  At the end of my parameters was "-blind > /dev/console".  I removed that and then the single imaging started working again.  But as you said, the next time I open that distribute task, the changes are reverted to their original state.

     

    My next task will be to try removing these parameters from a multicast task and see if that helps.  But that will be next week...

     

    It would be nice if those parameters did not change each time you open the task properties, either that or have it so that the user can define what they want their default paraters to be.



  • 6.  RE: Distribute Image Task with Multicast fails to Image

    Posted Dec 18, 2015 06:58 PM

    I contacted support and opened a case on the parameters not being saved. It sounds like it is a known issue and is in GSS HF3 and later. As soon as I hear more I can update this post. I have found that if I enter the info and run the task it will work. It is just not saved so the next time you run the task you have to add it back in each time.

    I set the task and define all the details. I let GSS set the basic parameters and at the end I add in the extra switch to identify the IP of the Ghost Cast Server using -jaddr=xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx



  • 7.  RE: Distribute Image Task with Multicast fails to Image
    Best Answer

    Posted Dec 21, 2015 08:39 AM
      |   view attached

    The only manual thing I have to do is to start a ghostcast server session and push the "send" button when all the client are connected. The clients restart to automation folder using a task.

    Screen capture is in french but you can figure out the options and settings.

     



  • 8.  RE: Distribute Image Task with Multicast fails to Image

    Posted Dec 21, 2015 02:45 PM

    Thank you fseaide for posting that screen shot.  This was exactly what I was trying to get set up and running.  I reviewed my task and in fact the same 'extra' parameters that I mentioned in an earlier post were added to my multicast session. The following was added to the end pf my parameter string, -blind > /dev/console .  Not sure where they came from, and I can not permanently remove them.  Each time I open the task they are automatically added back.  This seems to be related to the problem that AlohaTech mentioned with defining the jaddr value and having it revert each time.  For now, my problem is fixed in regards to being able to multicast.  I am still confused as to why the parameters dont get saved properly.



  • 9.  RE: Distribute Image Task with Multicast fails to Image

    Posted Jan 04, 2016 11:48 AM

    I heard back from Symanted and there is a fix now available so that the additional parameters are saved.

    You will need to make sure your GSS Server is updated to HotFix4 then you can apply the patch that is mentioned here: http://www.symantec.com/docs/TECH233745