Deployment Solution

Hi All,

I have a Scripted Windows 7 OS install job setup and added it to the Initial deployment properties. I also setup few other jobs under this job to join the computer to the domain and then install softwares. Here is the order.

1.ScriptOSWin7

2.DomainJoin

3.AddAdminUsers

4.Install Applications

5.Additional Tasks

How do I automate the jobs so that when it is done with 1st job (1.ScriptOSWin7), it jumps to 2nd (DomainJoin) and then 3rd and so on....without any user interaction. Please advise.

Thanks !!

Hi,

You just name each job so that it alphabetically appears in the correct sequence and the put these into a folder. Then drag the folder of these jobs onto your target computer.

Your jobs should look something like this when all assembled in the folder,

Does that make sense?

Thanks for a quick response. I am new to Altiris and might be asking dumb questions. I have added the 1st job to the Initial Deployment properties Job Tab as shown below. So, when I pxe-boot the PC it goes through its process and then comes with an option to install Desktop OS or Laptop OS. I select the Laptop OS and then select the 1.ScriptWin7 job from the drop down. And it does the Win7 scripted install and then stops. How do I tell it to do all the 5 jobs at once ? Please advise.

Thanks !!

If I'm not wrong, the initial deployment portion works with folders containing jobs and so you can schedule jobs from the last task of the last job within your Initial Deployment sequence to follow automatically based on return codes.

I don't use the Initial Deployment, but use custom return codes and calling other jobs based on them.

A sample snapshot is below, which might help clarify what i refer to...

You can chain jobs as BBC suggests. So on a return code (success) you get it to call another job, which calls another job etc etc. 

This approach has two major downsides,

• It is no longer obvious by looking at a job what the repercussions of dropping that job on a computer are
• You have to be very careful when repurposing jobs (as now dropping a domain join job on might also follow on with an application install)

To get around this, many DS6.9 customers use a plug-in called ImageInvoker. This replaces Intiial Deployment and allows you to schedule an entire folders of jobs. It's robust (if I may say so myself...) and it's free.

There is also a Altiris Deployment Server quick-start course here on Symantec Connect which you might find useful. 

Kind Regards,
Ian./

Thanks BBC and Ian.....this is what I was looking for....The return code option to run the next job. You guys are great help !! I will also look into ImageInvoker and go through the quick-start guide.

Thanks !