bootix^® BootManage Administrator

New Features in Version 11.0: Supports unattended installation of Windows 10 Enhanced install sequence for Windows 8.1 and Server 2012 R2 Unattended installation of Windows 8.1 and 10 in UEFI mode. New TFTP server with Proxy DHCP Server.

For this product, we offer you qualified technical support (Hotline, Web-Form, Support Contingent)

More and more PC vendors ship new PCs PXE (Preboot eXecution Enviroment) ready.

BootManage^® products help to administer all kinds of PCs with only one uniform product. A single, network wide configuration controlled by the bootix^® BootManage Administrator helps to significantly ease the registration and administration of networked PCs.

You may want to read the following (german) technical articles:
LANline 02/2005: "Flexible PXE-Lösung - BootManage Administrator im Test"
LANline Spezial VI/2002: "Nachtschicht überflüssig - Automatisierte Installation von PCs"

Please feel free to read the bootix BootManage Administrator version history and skill levels documents.

Unattended OS Installation In The Enterprise Environment
The bootix BootManage Administrator (BMA) remotely manages the boot process of networked computers (servers, desktops, and laptops) and takes care of the remote first installation or the reinstallation of an operating system (OS) on these machines via network. This fully automated OS deployment procedure (remote wakeup, OS installation, shutdown) does not require any service personnel or user on site, and allows to implement time-scheduled mass roll-outs overnight or at weekends. Prerequisite in each managed computer is a PXE (Preboot Execution Environment) Code which today comes with almost all new servers, desktops, and laptops.

The easy to use graphical management interface of the bootix BootManage Administrator helps to do the daily job of centrally administering networked servers, desktops, and laptops. The software covers all the steps from the automated hardware detection of these machines, to the remote hard disk partitioning and formatting, and finally the unattended installation of a Windows or Linux operating system.

Diskless operation of DOS, Windows PE and Linux is also supported.

Broad Intel-Based Target OS Support
Various Windows and Linux operating systems for Intel based servers, desktops, and laptops can automatically be installed on the target computers.
Windows:
- Windows 10, 8.1 8, 7, x86 and x64 Editions
- Windows Server 2012, Windows Server 2012 R2
- Windows Server 2008 R2, x86 and x64 Editions
- Windows Server 2008, x86 and x64 Editions
- Windows Server 2003 R2, x86 and x64 Editions
- Windows Server 2003, x86 and x64 Editions
- Windows Vista, x86 and x64 Editions
- Windows XP, x86 and x64 Editions
- Windows 2000 Server
- Windows 2000 Professional
- Windows NT 4 Server
- Windows NT 4 Workstation
Linux:
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux via Kickstart
- Fedora Core via Kickstart
- SUSE Linux Enterprise Server via Autoyast
- SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop via Autoyast
- and others

Scripted And Image Based Installation
Both scripted and image based automated OS installations are supported. The BMA already comes with templates for capturing and deploying hard disk and partition images via Microsoft WIndows Imaging (WIM / ImageX), DriveImage and Ghost. Also, customized installation methods (e.g. Sysprep) can easily be implemented, and are already provided for Ghost imaging.

WinPE, Linux, And DOS Boot Images
The following boot image types can be used:
- Windows PE 5.0 UEFI (x86 and x64)
- Windows PE 4.0 (x86 and x64)
- Windows PE 3.0 (x86 and x64)
- Windows PE 2.0 (x86 and x64)
- Windows PE 2005 (x86 and x64)
- BartPE / PE Builder
- Linux
- Windows 98
- MS-DOS
- FreeDOS
It is possible to have boot images of different types side-by-side, and assign them to individual targets, or to groups of target machines as desired.

PXE
The bootix BootManage Administrator supports PXE-ready hardware (servers, desktops, and notebook computers), but does not need any additional PXE services. The presence of a DHCP- and a TFTP server is sufficient, but PXE services can also be integrated if desired.

Multi Server Support
The multi server support function makes the bootix BootManage Administrator a valuable tool in large and distributed networks (also across WAN links). All managed data is held on multiple servers and replicated from a central master server. As a result of this method, load balancing and failover security is achieved. During replication, only the changed files are updated, to minimize the network load.

IBM AIX NIM Integration
The bootix BootManage Administrator allows the transparent management of IBM AIX NIM Network Installation Management) servers. NIM servers can be integrated in the BMA system so that they appear like standard BMA servers. The manageable objects of NIM servers (NIM client, SPOT, lppsource, etc.) are controlled through the BMA management console.

Simple Integration of Third-Party Drivers
Third Party drivers for the supported Windows operating systems can easily be added. Best-match and manual assignment methods, as well as non-PnP drivers are supported.

Reinstallation with a single Mouse Click
Once a first installation of a target machine has been successfully performed, a reinstallation of this machine can be initiated from the management console with one mouse click.

Roll-Out and Prestaging
Automatically performs mass deployments groupwise and time controlled overnight or at weekends. Both fully automated and list based roll-out methods are provided. Also, new systems can be prestaged in the BMA to allow automated provisioning at first boot. The roll-out function can be activated either in the BMA console or in the BMA web server.

Time Control Service
The time control service schedules the execution of tasks at preconfigured times: wakeup, shutdown, reboot or reinstall managed computers. This way, maintenance and reinstallation operations can be performed without the administrator or the user being present, e.g. overnight or at weekends.

Integrated Hardware Inventory
Automated hardware analysis of the managed computers scans the hardware, stores it in an inventory database, and identifies the required drivers for the OS installation.

Report Generator
The Report Generator generates reports based on SQL queries. Report output can be text, CSV, HTML, or XML format. Sample report queries are provided, and can be extended by custom-designed queries.

Flexible / Extendable / Customizable / Open
Due to the open, script based structure of the BMA, it is possible to customize and extend both the management interface (look and feel, plugins, parameters, etc.), and the script-driven operating system installation process (e.g. slipstream service packs and hotfixes, integrate self-developed scripts and programs, etc.).

Extendable Configuration Variables
The bootix BootManage Administrator comes with a predefined set of configuration variables which control the target machine installation process. Custom configuration variables can easily be added, and assigned to individual target machines, but also to groups, distribution servers, and other objects. Variable values can be encrypted (passwords, license keys, etc.). Also, variables can be classified as being already present at boot-time, which allows early boot-time decisions based on these variables.

Vendor Tools
The BMA has been tested with tools from the following vendors: Dell, HP, and IBM.

Service / Emergency Boot
To accomplish special tasks, multiple boot images can be created and assigned to the target computers on demand, e.g. for BIOS updates, offline virus scans, diskless emergency operation, or other maintenance tasks.

Diskless DOS / WinPE / Linux Computers
The integrated support for diskless computers allows to manage terminal server clients and other diskless boot environments. Supported diskless operating systems are:
- Diskless DOS
- Diskless Windows PE (WinPE 2005, WinPE 2.0, BartPE)
- Diskless Linux

Generic Boot Image
With one single generic boot image, the BMA can install an operating system on an unlimited number of target machines of different makes and models. It is even possible to install different Windows operating systems with one boot image.

Web Based Graphical Management Interface
The BMA web server allows management through standard web browsers using HTTP or HTTPS (SSL encryption), and allows to perform almost all standard management tasks that are daily needed. The look-and-feel of the web pages is individually adaptable for each registered administrator, and provides an intuitive management experience. The BMA web server can also be used to host the roll-out service.

Multilingual User Interface
The menu system and program documentation are both available in german and english language.

Hierarchical Grouping of Managed Computers
The bootix BootManage Administrator allows to hierarchically group the managed machines according to self-defined criteria (e.g. buildings, floors, departments etc.). This gives an optimized overview of the network.

User and Group Accounts for Administrators
In large and distributed networks, PC management is often accomplished by multiple administrators with different responsibilities and authorizations. By using user and group accounts, the bootix BootManage Administrator allows to reflect these responsibilities and authorizations.

Security and Access Protection
The bootix BootManage Administrator and the network shares used by it rely on the security mechanisms of the OS it runs on.

ActiveX Scripting Interface
The BMA provides a powerful ActiveX scripting interface that allows to
- access the BMA database
- automate the interactive BMA GUI operations
- integrate BMA functionality into own management solutions

Remote Wakeup and Shutdown
Remote wakeup packets can be sent out at predefinable times to switch on target machines in the local subnet and/or in other subnets for unattended OS deployments overnight or at weekends.

Simple Installation
Self explaining installation routine requires only common knowledge for network administration.

Standard DHCP & TFTP Servers
The bootix BootManage Administrator works in standard DHCP and TFTP server environments. PXE specific services are not needed. DHCP provides network parameters (IP address, subnet mask, DNS server, router etc.) to the requesting target machine, whereas TFTP is used to transfer the boot files.

Distribution Server
The distribution server can be a Microsoft Server or a SAMBA (Linux/Unix) Server.

SQL Server Support
The bootix BootManage Administrator can use a file based Access/Jet database, or a Microsoft SQL Server database. A wizard helps to migrate from one database type to the other.