Preface

About the General Knowledge Guides Series

The General Knowledge Guides are a series of guides instructing on products, applications, methodologies and technologies related to the usage of the SoftXpand application but not actually a part it.

About this Guide

This document is intended for IT personnel (or others) experienced in Windows administration and well-versed in SoftXpand administration and usage, who wishes to quickly and efficiently deploy a multitude of SoftXpand Hosts.

It describes how to use an imaging tool (mainly, Acronis's True Image tool) to easily duplicate a fully configured and ready-to-go computer into multiple computers in a time-saving and accurate manner- the fastest way to mass-deploy SoftXpand in minimum actions and maximum reliability.

What is an Imaging Tool?

An imaging tool is a software application which creates a full copy of one or more hard drives from a source computer complete with all installed components, such as Windows, drivers and other software applications, into a single file.

This duplication can then be restored ("dumped") back into the source computer (when image is used as a backup) or into a different computer, the target, for duplication.

Since the basic idea behind the methodology explained in this guide is to back up a fully-configured and functioning computer, duplicating it into a different computer saves time and work configuring that target computer and thus enables a quick and efficient method for creating a batch of computers, all sharing the same software configuration.

Using the Acronis True Image

While there is a multitude of imaging tools found in the market, this manual instructs on the specific use of the Acronis True Image tool.

The main reason for this selection lies in Acronis' Universal Restore feature, which enables transferring an image from two computers with a different hardware configuration, or creating an image from a computer with one hard-drive and restoring it onto a computer with RAID 1.

The steps described in this document are only one method in which to run Acronis' True Image tool for the purpose of mass-deploying SoftXpand. If a different approach works well in your organization, use that approach.

Note: Although this tool is recommended by MiniFrame's support team, there is no restriction on using any of the other tools available in the market. Refer to each tool's documentation with regards to the specific usage of that tool.

The complete solution concept: Why should I use imaging?

Using images enable an installer to create a hardware + software package which can be easily be duplicated towards mass-deployment.

This way, the installer can market the SoftXpand product as a closed package solution with a onetime installation, tailored to the needs of its client, and then a simple duplication of hardware and software for multiple purchases.

Basic Recommended Methodology

Different users require different Windows settings, different hardware and different software applications. To be able to answer the needs of most (or all) of the users, it is therefore recommended to create one Basic Image of an Host, and then use that image as a basis for all other images, each tailored to the need of a specific type of users.

There are two methods for doing this – using the Full Image option and using the Differential Imaging option.

• The Full Image option copies the entire content of the selected drive/s into an image file. This option is usually only used to create the Basic Image for the Differential Imaging option. If used to build a different Full Image per user type, this method is very disk-space consuming.
• The Differential Imaging option is based on a Full Image as a reference and only copies the differences between that image and the current content of the selected drive/s into a separate image file. The basic Full Image is referred to as the Basic Image. Using this method, an installer can hold one Basic Image and several much smaller Differential Images.

The basic levels of images relevant to the mass-deployment of SoftXpand are therefore as follows:

• Windows installation only: the most basic image which solely contains a fresh Windows XP PRO installation. This image type saves the installer the time and work required to install and configure Windows but still requires him to install all other components for each user type separately.
• Windows installation + hardware drivers: this image contains all driver installations on top of the Windows installation.
• Windows installation + hardware drivers + software application: this image contains allrequired software applications (such as Office, video/audio/images editing tools, CRM tools, etc.) on top of a full Windows installation with all required hardware drivers.

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An Example: installer X has 3 types of users for whom he need to create a SoftXapnd Host:

1. One type requires Outlook, Word and Excel.
2. One type requires Outlook, Word and Excel and, additionally, Virtual C Studio.
3. One type requires accounting software only.

The Host computers used for all users share the same hardware configuration (with the same drivers).

To answer the needs of all three types, the installer should create 4 images:

1. The Basic Image - Windows XP PRO and hardware drivers.
2. One image based on the Basic Image with the addition of Outlook, Word and Excel (Full or Differential Imaging).
3. One image based on image number 2 with the addition of Virtual C Studio (Full or Differential).
4. One image based on the Basic Image with the addition of the accounting software (Full or Differential).

This way the installer keeps a consistency of versions using the same Basic Image on all computers. Of course, the whole process depends on the quality of that Basic Image.

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Using Images to Backup/Duplicate a Computer/Drive

These are the steps for backing-up/duplicating a single drive or a whole computer:

1. Configure a computer with the full set of all hardware and software components needed to be backed-up/duplicated (the Source computer).
2. Run the Acronis True Image tool on that computer.
3. Using the Acronis True Image tool, start by creating a Full Image of that computer.
4. If needed, make the necessary changes (installations, configurations) and proceed to create a Differential Image of that computer.
5. Run the Acronis True Image tool on the Target computer.
6. Using the Acronis True Image tool, dump the appropriate image on that computer.

Pre-Imaging: Preparing a Computer to Get Imaged

Creating a viable and usable image (or a set of images) requires determining which software components are found in every created image and the hierarchy of the images, as explained in the example shown in the previous section of this document. An installer may select to create a Basic Image containing any number of components, but the basic component of any image is a fresh and clean Windows XP Professional installation.

To correctly install Windows XP PRO for SoftXpand usage refer to the How to install Windows XP PRO for SoftXpand guide.

Note: the Windows XP PRO guide also refers to the installation of hardware and software applications. It is up to the installer to decide whether or not to add them into the Basic Image or create a separate/differential image for each component or set of components.

Recommendation: create a Full Image of the drive immediately following the completion of Windows XP PRO so as to be able to go back to it at any given time (your Basic Image).

Once Windows XP PRO is installed, select which components to install next (based on your users' needs) and the method in which to do so – create a Full Image per user or create a basic Windows XP PRO image (with or without hardware drivers) and a Differential image per user.

Once relevant data is fully installed, proceed to create their image.

Running the Acronis True Image Tool

The Acronis True Image tool can only run directly following a computer restart, before Windows loads. To do so, follow these instructions:

1. Insert the Acronis True Image CD into the CD tray and restart/turn on the computer.
2. Boot directly from the CD (by setting the BIOS to boot from the CDor using the boot menu upon load-up). The Acronis True Image application will load.
3. Click to select the Acronis True Image Echo Workstation with Acronis Universal Restore (Full version) option. Acronis will now load. This step may take several minutes.

Creating an Image

These instructions explain how to create a image using the Acronis True Image tool:

1. Click to select the Backup option. The Create Backup Wizard will open.
2. Click Next.
3. Make sure the My Computer button is selected and click ‘Next’.
4. In the Partition Selection windows, select the partition or entire hard disk to create an image from and click ‘Next’. An Information box will open.
5. Read it and click OK.
6. In the Backup Archive Location windows select and highlight the location in which Acronis will place the image file. Make sure to have enough disk space available. There are two major options:
   
   • Placing the image inside a directory in a drive, in which case a File Name must be typed in.
   • Placing the image inside the Acronis Secure Zone (this option is described in the "Working with the Acronis Secure Zone" section).
   Make your selection and click Next.
7. In the Select Backup Mode select the relevant option (Full or Differential archive) and click 'Next'.
   Note: refer to the Differential archive Image description below.
8. In the Backup Creation Options make the following adjustments:
   
   • Set an Archive Protection password if needed.
   • Tick both checkboxes in "Additional settings".
   Click ‘Next’ when finished.
9. In the Archive Comments window, type any free-text comments regarding the created image.
10. Review the selected backup details in this window. If incorrect, click ‘Back’ to where needed and correct them. Once finished, click Proceed to start the imaging process.
    Acronis will now create a backup of the selected drives/hard disks. This may take a few moments.

Recovering (Dumping) a Full Image

These instructions explain how to dump a Full Image onto the same or a new PC using the Acronis True Image Echo Workstation with Acronis Universal Restore:

1. Click to select the Recovery option. The Restore Date Wizard will open.
2. Click ‘Next’.
3. In the Backup Archive Selection screen, locate and select the relevant image file and click ‘Next’.
4. If you are using the Acronis Secure Zone and have more than one image created, a "Backup Date Selection" screen will open. Select the relevant image and click ‘Next’.
5. In the Restoration Type Selection screen, make sure the "Restore disks or partitions" radio button is selected and click ‘Next’.
6. In the Partition or ‘Disk to Restore’ screen, tick the required partition or hard disk to restore from the selected image and click ‘Next’.
7. In the Restored Partition Location screen, select and highlight the target partition to dump the image onto and click ‘Next’.
   Note: all data on the selected disk/partition will be lost.
8. In the Restored Partition Type screen, make sure the Active radio button is selected and click ‘Next’.
9. In the Restored Partition Size screen, click ‘Next’.
10. In the Next Selection screen, make sure the "No, I do not" radio button is selected and click ‘Next’.
11. In the Acronis Universal Restore screen, select one of the two options:
    
    • Select "Do not use Acronis Universal Restore" if the target computer (from which the image was made) has similar hardware as the source computer. Click ‘Next’.
    • Select "Use Acronis Universal Restore" if the target computer's hardware is dissimilar to the hardware found in the source computer or if the source computer had only 1 hard drive while the target computer has a RAID 1 configuration. Click ‘Next’.
      In the ‘Specifying Mass Storage Drivers Screen’, make sure the “Do not install specified drivers” button is selected and click ‘Next’.
      
    Note: Make sure to install the necessary SCSI, RAID or other drive drivers upon Windows restart.
12. In the Restoration Options screen, tick both checkboxes in Additional settings and click ‘Next’.
13. Review the selected restore details in this window. If incorrect, click Back to where needed and correct them. Once finished, click Proceed to start the image restoration process.

About using a differential image

The Differential Backup option enables using a Full Backup image as a basis for creating smaller images solely containing the differences between the Full Backup image and the current content of the imaged drive.

Thus, the Differential Backup is dependent upon first creating Full Backup image. Once this backup is made, proceed to make all necessary changes to the drive's content and then create a Differential image which would only contain the updated changes (see the relevant section in the "Basic Recommended Methodology" chapter).

Working with Acronis secure zone

The Acronis Secure Zone is a protected partition on your hard disk drive that is inaccessible to any application other than Acronis' and is used, for the purpose of this guide, to store images securely.

To use the Acronis Secure Zone, you must first create it. Once created it will be available for every use. The Secure Zone creation is part of the image creation process where the only difference needed to be made is to select the "Acronis Secure Zone" in the "Backup Archive Location" screen (item ‎6 in the "Creating an Image" section). Continue the process as follows:

1. Select the Acronis Secure Zone option and click ‘Next’. If this is the first time this option is selected, An Acronis Secure Zone creation Confirmation dialog box will open.
2. Click ‘Yes’ to create a secure zone.
3. Select the partition in which to place your secure zone and click ‘Next’.
4. Select the size of the created zone and click ‘Next’.
5. Select whether or not to password-protect the secure zone. Insert the password if needed and click ‘Next’.
6. Select whether or not to activate the Acronis Startup Recovery Manager. Click ‘Next’ when finished.
   Note: It is currently recommended not to use the Acronis Startup Recovery Manager on computers running the SoftXpand application
7. Return to item ‎7 on section "Creating an Image" to continue the creation of your image.