Reliability and Consistency Through Deep Freeze

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Reliability and Consistency ThroughDeep Freeze

• Presented By
• John Bratsis
• Rick Brownell

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Computers at Quinnipiac

• Users
• 7400 Students
• 780 Faculty
• 460 Staff
• Classrooms and Labs

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The Challenge

• All classroom computers fully functional
• Windows updates, AntiVirus updates
• Users with administrator-level access
• Avoid interference with academic activities

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The Response

• Priority attention to classroom issues
• Hot-swap computers (1 for every 24)
• Periodic checkups (student worker)
• Designate Desktop Support Specialist

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Candidates for Freezing

• Classrooms
• Public Use Areas Library, Student Center
• Polling Institute
• Learning Center
• Total

• 228
• 103
• 77
• 12
• 420

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What is Deep Freeze?

• Deep Freeze is a program that freezes or locks
  a particular state of your OS.
• On every reboot, the computer reverts to this
  frozen or last known good configuration state
• Imagine a computer that is infected with hundreds
  of viruses which can be wiped TOTALLY clean
  through a reboot only!

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Deep Freeze In The Classroom

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Deep Freeze In The Classroom

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Configuring Deep Freeze For Workstations

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Configuring Deep Freeze For Workstations
Passwords

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Configuring Deep Freeze For Workstations

• Specify which drives to Freeze

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Configuring Deep Freeze For Workstations
Reboot Schedule

• Reboots are IMPORTANT!
• Bring machines back to a tested safe state
• Free up system resources to keep labs running
  smooth

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Configuring Deep Freeze For Workstations
Maintenance Schedule

• Maintenance schedules allow for machines to enter
  a thawed state during which updates can occur
  and be applied

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Configuring Deep Freeze For Workstations
Advanced Maintenance

• Ability To Obtain Windows Updates through WSUS
• Manage The Updates you WANT users to have
• Ability To Put Off New Untested Updates (ie
  SP2)

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Configuring Deep Freeze For Workstations
Thawspace

• Thawspace is an option that creates a virtual
  partition (on a frozen drive) where data and
  other changes can be saved/made without losing
  them on a reboot

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Configuring Deep Freeze For Workstations
Network Settings

• Proper network settings are important so that you
  can view workstations in your Deep Freeze Console
• It is highly recommended that your Deep Freeze
  Console machine has a static IP address

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Configuring Deep Freeze For Workstations
Advanced Functionality

• Advanced Customization
• DF Icon Visibility, Clock Settings, OS Options

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Deploying Deep Freeze To Workstations

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Integrity Through OTP

• Lost Passwords?
• Security Concerns?

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Questions?

• Thanks For Your Time!