LANutil32's software distribution feature, the settings for which are in the Package Defn. Editor, is one of the product's more complicated operations. When you select a package to run, this feature lets you specify a Client Filter, which prevents distribution to some systems based on their platforms or free disk space. LANutil32's software distribution feature contains many other settings as well, such as one that lets you specify when you want the installation to occur and another that lets you set a date after which LANutil32 won't distribute the package. Before you distribute an application package, you need to test your settings to ensure that they achieve the effect you want.
I used Microsoft FrontPage 98, which was on LANutil32's parameter list, to test LANutil32's push-installation abilities. The parameters included the target directory for the program files, and you can specify a license key and command-line commands (e.g., Del, Copy) that will run before or after the installation. Many predefined packages have different install types to accommodate uses of the application in various OSs. I accepted the defaults for FrontPage 98, and LANutil32 properly installed the software across the network onto my test clients.
PC-Duo
NetSupport PC-Duo is similar to the NetSupport Manager remote control product. (For more information about NetSupport Manager, see "Remote Control Administration for Windows NT Server 4.0," May 2000.) You need to install LANutil32 Suite and PC-Duo separately; you might want to install LANutil32 Suite first, then use it to distribute the PC-Duo software to clients. Because LANutil32 and PC-Duo integrate, the LANutil32 Console recognizes PC-Duo and lets you control remote systems without explicitly running the PC-Duo program. However, before you actually take control of a client, you need to enable remote control by running PC-Duo's Client Configurator program on the client. Figure 2 shows PC-Duo running Opera 4.0 Beta 3 on a remote client.
PC-Duo lets you easily control client and server systems; you can even use it to remotely install software that doesn't have a LANutil32 package definition on a server. Rather than create a package definition or physically visit the system on which you want to install the software, it's sometimes easier to use PC-Duo to install the software over the network. You can also set up a client system as a dial-in bridge that lets you connect to the network and use remote control to log on to any system that an administrator can control. Thus, you can remotely control any system to which you have rights. PC-Duo's Configurator feature lets you remotely do just about anything (e.g., reboot, print, transfer files) while you control a system.
PC-Duo is very powerful, but it's more difficult to use than some other remote control programs. The user interface (UI) can be difficult to understand, and the Configurator, with more than a dozen tabs, is too complex. Furthermore, in full-screen mode, PC-Duo operates differently from similar products. If the client's resolution is less than the controlling system's resolution, PC-Duo displays the remainder of the controlling system's screen as well as the client's screen. Other products blank out border areas, as is proper for a full-screen view. However, if you buy LANutil32 for its management features and you need remote control, your best remote-control option is PC-Duo because of its integration with LANutil32.
More Integration
LANutil32 works with Microsoft Systems Management Server (SMS) and other systems by generating Management Information Format (MIF) files from the LANutil32 inventory. The LANutil32 Console also integrates with UltraBac.com's UltraBac backup software and provides expert features you can use to build support for other backup systems. (For information about UltraBac backup software, see Ed Roth, "UltraBac 5.5 Stand Alone Disaster Recovery for Windows NT," July 2000.)
If you already use a remote control product, a management system that works directly with that product might better fit your needs than LANutil32, especially if you also manage systems that don't run Windows. (LANutil32 can take inventory from DOS systems but can't distribute software to them.)
LANutil32 Elite is a good choice for administrators of Windows-based networks looking for strong remote administration, software distribution, and remote control features. The product makes an administrator's job easier but doesn't eliminate the need for administrative expertise. LANutil32's installation is overly complicated and dozens of icons clutter the UI, but the online Help and documentation are excellent. After you master the product, its power will reward you.
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