Should you install SolidWorks products on each computer individually, or should you create an administrative image and deploy the installation to all clients with one command? If you are installing on only one computer, or if you manage dozens or hundreds of computers, the choice is obvious. For situations in between, consider the following comparisons.
|
Individual installation |
Administrative image |
|
Users can do their own SolidWorks administration. |
The system administrator can customize the installation
with the initialization file, a registry file, and commands to be executed
before or after the installation. |
|
The computers must be physically accessible to the person
performing the installation. |
Client computers can be distantly located as long as
they are accessible from the same network. |
|
You can install different versions, service packs, or
products on different computers, with independent settings. |
Administrative images maintain consistency in versions,
service packs, products, and settings. |
|
The original source media (DVD) is required when applying
service packs. |
Media drives are not required when applying service packs. |
|
The computer does not need to be on a network. |
A local network connection is required to deploy the
application; media drives are not required on client computers. |
|
Computers can run different releases or service packs
of the application. |
Clients are updated automatically. All clients deployed
from the same administrative image are at the same service pack. To maintain
multiple versions, you can create multiple administrative images. |
|
|
License activation can be automated. |
|
|
An administrative image requires additional disk space
on the server; clients require the same space as individual installations.
|