Administrative images

We use admin images on any install that has 3 or more seats. The answer really depends on what kind of permissions are setup on the network and on the individual users workstations. But in all, it's really simple. Install the admin image on a shared network drive, then go to each workstation and run the exe file from their station. Updates are the same way. Update the image then run the exe from the workstation. You do not have to have physical access on the network drive you install the image on.....

So you're saying you use the "go to the user's machine and launch the executable over the network" method of distribution. That sounds easier than a batch file emailed to users, but you have to go to machines.

Does it bother you tht you can't roll back? Have you figured out how to get around that?

Also, are you rinning add-ins, and do you patch those in the same way?

Thanks,

-C

I do the same at this company by going maching to maching launching the exe. We have 7 users sharing 5 licenses. It works out fine. We could roll back if needed but it would take plenty of work. It doesn't bother me because I myself usually use/test the latest and greatest on my machine for 2 weeks at least before sending to anyone else. I also track this group after a new service pack to see if there is any instant noise about a problem.

Ken

I have used an admin image to install and update 8 users here on solidworks. I used the SWInstall utility on solidworks website to setup a silent install. All the users have a shortcut to the swinstall executable in their startup folder. It checks to see if they are on the current version and if not, it upgrades the package. There are a couple of things to watch out for. First, make sure antivirus is turned off before running installs or upgrades. Second, it seems to take much longer to upgrade the admin image vs. upgrading a single computer. However, the upgrade from the admin image is fast. Currently edrawings and other add-ins are not supported in the admin image so they must be updated manually. Overall I am very pleased with the admin images. I have read that others have had trouble, but I've been lucky enough to not have any. I don't mind the fact that you can't roll back a service pack. In my opinion, its quicker to uninstall and reinstall. Hopefully, solidworks will add more features for admins in the new version.

Mike Morris

for me, when I've used this method the seats have always been Office or office professional seats. With the office, everything is taken care of in the admin image. with professional I still have to do the pdmworks seperatly. Same with edrawings....

Rollback hasn't been an issue...