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Altiris Task Server Best Practices - Part 2: Installing Task Server 

Aug 31, 2007 11:28 AM

In this installment of the Task Server series, we'll explore the best way to install and get your Task Server up and running. We hit the basics and some of the more advanced options like remote installs and installing server client agents.

Installation Procedure

You should obtain Task Server, which can be downloaded from http://www.altiris.com/Download.aspx to install for the first time. This initially should be done on the Notification Server.

Installing the First Task Server

To Install Task Server - See Figure 3:

  1. Open the Altiris 6.5 Console. To do this, Select Start > Programs > Altiris > Altiris Console 6.5.
  2. Click View > Configuration.
  3. In the left pane, click Upgrade/Install Additional Solutions.
  4. In the right pane, click the Solutions tab.
  5. Click Task Server.
  6. Click Start.

You can also run the Task Server installation program on Notification Server directly. The Task Server installation program is found in ..\Program Files\Altiris\Notification Package\TaskServerSetup.msi. Or you can download the installation exe file from the solution sam site, at www.solutionsam.com\solutions\6_0. Make sure you download each of the following files:

  • Altiris_TaskManagement_6_0.exe
  • Altiris_TaskManagementPack_6_0.exe
  • Altiris_TaskManagementPackLP_6_0.exe
  • Altiris_TaskServerLP_6_0.exe

Figure 1 - Task Server Install Location

Click to view.

Installing Remote Task Servers

The steps to install a remote Task Server are below (See Figures 4 and 5):

  1. Open the Notification Server 6.5 Console
  2. Click Manage > Jobs
  3. In the tree view, click Task Server Configuration>Task Server Rollout
  4. Edit the Task Servers collection to contain each computer that will be a Task Server
  5. Select the policy Task Server Install
  6. Enable the policy then click Apply.

The next time the computers in the collection update their configuration, they will download and install the Task Server package

Figure 2 - Editing the Task Servers Collection

Click to view.

Figure 3 - Enabling the Task Server Install Policy

Click to view.

Best Practices: Task Server Installation

  • Task Server default collections can and should be edited prior to rollout
  • Note that for best results the Task Servers, With Latest Task Server, and Approved Task Servers collections should be identical with a complete list of your Task Servers. You should only have to edit the membership of the Task Servers collection. The other two collection should auto-populate.

Installing Task Server Client Agents

After installing Altiris Task Server, you must deploy the Task Server agents, starting with the Client Task Agent. The Client Task Agent is the main agent for working with Task Servers and uses the other agents to perform various functions. After the Task agents are deployed, you can rollout Task Servers if needed. Keep the client limitations previously outlined in mind.

Client Task Agent Installation Procedure

To install the client agents for Task Server,

  1. Open the Notification Server Console and click Manage > Jobs. In the tree view, click Task Server Configuration then click Client Task Agent Rollout.
  2. Select the collection Without Client Task Agent Installed. Verify that the collection contains all computers that need the agent. By default, this collection contains all computers (if this is the first time Task Server is being installed on this Notification Server)
  3. Select the policy Client Task Agent Install. Enable the policy, then click Apply. The next time the computers in the collection update their configuration, they will download and install the Client Task Agent package

Figure 4 - Client Task Agent Install Screen

Click to view.

Installing Task Server Sub-Agents

Once you have the other agents installed, you can install the other, optional, sub-agents. They are the Power Management Agent, the Script Agent, and the Service Control Agent. These agents will give you specific control over client machine power on and off , sending scripts, and controlling services. While they are optional, it is highly recommended to install them. Many of the sample task and jobs rely on them.

Installing the Power Management Task Agent

To install the Power Management sub-agent for Task Server,

  1. Open the Notification Server Console and click Manage > Jobs. In the tree view, click Task Server Configuration> Power Management Task Agent Rollout. Select the collection Without Power Management Task Agent Installed. Verify that the collection contains all computers that need the agent installed. By default, this collection includes the All Computers collection.
  2. While still in the tree view, click the Power Management Task Agent Rollout policy.
  3. Enable the policy, then click Apply. The next time the computers in the collection update their configuration, they will download and install the Power Management Task Agent package

Figure 5 - Power Management Task Agent Install

Click to view.

Installing the Script Task Agent

To install the Script sub-agent for Task Server,

  1. Open the Notification Server Console and click Manage > Jobs. In the tree view, click Task Server Configuration> Script Task Agent Rollout. Select the collection Without Script Task Agent Installed. Verify that the collection contains all computers that need the agent installed. By default, this collection includes the All Computers collection.
  2. While still in the tree view, click the Script Task Agent Rollout policy.
  3. Enable the policy, then click Apply. The next time the computers in the collection update their configuration, they will download and install the Script Task Agent package

Figure 6 - Script Task Agent Install

Click to view.

Installing the Service Control Task Agent

To install the Service Control sub-agent for Task Server,

  1. Open the Notification Server Console and click Manage > Jobs. In the tree view, click Task Server Configuration> Service Control Task Agent Rollout. Select the collection Without Service Control Task Agent Installed. Verify that the collection contains all computers that need the agent installed. By default, this collection includes the All Computers collection.
  2. While still in the tree view, click the Service Control Task Agent Rollout policy.
  3. Enable the policy, then click Apply. The next time the computers in the collection update their configuration, they will download and install the Service Control Task Agent package

Figure 7 - Service Control Task Agent Install

Click to view.

Other Sub-Agents

There are other solution-specific subagents that can be installed as well, such as the Software Delivery Agent for Task Server. While the agent rollout procedures are generally similar, installation and configuration of these sub-agents are outlined in Appendix C.

Best Practices: Task Server Agent Installation

If you have a large number of agents to deploy, consider defining and breaking up your collection used to install the agents into smaller groups.

Altiris Task Server Best Practices - Part 1: Planning Your Implementation

Altiris Task Server Best Practices - Part 3: Configuring Task Server

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