Kixtart Systems Management Server

Developed by Jens Meyer (sealeopard on the KIXtart BBS at http://81.17.37.55/board/ultimatebb.php)

The Kixtart Systems Management Server scripts and support utilities are provided on an AS-IS basis. There is no support for it and proper functionality is not guaranteed. It is advisable to test the system on a limited basis before deploying it to a whole in-production network.

Certain words and/or word-combinations/phrases might be trademarked/servicemarked/copyrighted/*marked in which case applicable legal provisions apply.


OVERVIEW

The Kixtart Systems Management Server (KSMS) consists of three main scripts, the login script, the server script, and the client script.

The login script is used to log every domain user into the domain.

The server script runs on a computer that serves as the distribution point for all files that are part of KSKS.

The client script runs on each computer that has been integrated into KSMS.

The server and client scripts as well as all support files should be located on a dedicated share on the KSMS computer.

Both scripts should run under a special administrative account that will be used to log the client script into a computer.

KSMS requires the presence of Task Scheduler under Windows NT/2000/XP and the client script runs automatically upon the first login of the day under Windwos 9x.

KSMS FLOWCHART

1) User runs login script and integrates computer into KSMS

2) Maintenance server script runs on a regular interval (like 1am each night) and schedules the client script on all clients that are not powered down. Powered-down computers will be sent a Wake-On-LAN packet in case the NIC supports Wake-On-LAN and the client script will be scheduled as soon as the client has completed to boot up.

3) Client maintenance script runs, checks for granted application install requests, checkes services, registry keys, applications, installs applications. Reboots computer if reboot is necessary and nobody is logged in or displays a reboot request.

4) User runs login script and grants/dceclines application update/install requests.

FUTURE OF KSMS

KSMS is currently being rewritten/modified for KiXtart 4.11 and will feature more functionality based on WMI and ADSI. A SQL-based inventory manager will most likely be included in the next release. Estimated date of release: Whenever it's done, or maybe a day earlier.