Archived from groups: microsoft.public.win2000.active_directory (
More info?)
Thanks Herb. I appreciate your input.
"Herb Martin" <news@LearnQuick.com> wrote in message
news:Os76emd3EHA.1204@TK2MSFTNGP10.phx.gbl...
> "djc" <noone@nowhere.com> wrote in message
> news:#6VfliU3EHA.3316@tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl...
> > Thanks for the reply. I appreciate all the input. I accidentally left
out
> > one key point. That is that a decision needs to be made as to whether a
> new
> > file is available or not... If there is a new file, then copy it. I have
> > been accomplishing this via a login script.
>
> Well, ok, but I answered that anyway: xcopy /d
>
> XCOPY /d only copies files if they have changed or don't exist
> on the destination.
>
> > The login script is a WSH
> > vbscript that actually opens the local database file to check for a
> version
> > number, then opens the database file on the server to compare the
version
> > numbers... if the server contains a higher version number then it
updates.
>
> Ok, so as long as you can script it this work.
>
> You could also use various "flag" file tricks and
> such but what you have seems to work.
>
> > It works very well but I am interested in finding out how GPO's can to
> > this...
>
> By running the script as the STARTUP script would be the
> obvious way.
>
> > I spent a lot of time creating this script (it does several things
> > including seting up necessary directory, shortcuts, and some registry
> > modifications, if they are not present), and thats one of the reasons I
> was
> > wondering if AD's GPO's may have been a better choice to begin with.
Plus
> I
> > just like to learn and explore other methods.
>
> Probably not (except by running the script.)
>
>
> > It seems from your suggestions that even with GPO's, my own script would
> be
> > required. correct?
>
> Yes, as part of the GPO.
>
> > I guess what I was looking for the GPO to do was provide
> > a way to just assign a file to client machines. To ensure each machine
had
> > this file. And to somehow know when to re-copy, ie, new version present.
>
> MSI -- but you would have to create and assign the
> MSI packages, and updates to the GPO on each change.
>
> > Maybe I could create my own msi for this? but even doing that what are
my
> > options with GPOs with regard to knowing 'when' to copy the new file...
> > still need my script? or would I just leave out any decision making
> > functionality and simply enable/disable a GPO with a simpler script, or
> > package, when necessary? hmmm... dunno.
>
> Yes, but MSI-GPOs might be extremely tedious to create each
> week and offer an overly complex solution.
>
> The script is basically the best way -- from what you have described.
>
> > Another reason for wondering about
> > this is I want to know if what I had done is way overkill and if GPO's
> could
> > have provided a much simpler, more elegant solution.
>
> Probably would be the other way around.
>
> --
> Herb Martin
>
>
> >
> > thanks again... any other input is welcome.
> >
> > "Herb Martin" <news@LearnQuick.com> wrote in message
> > news:OwTOAcT3EHA.2592@TK2MSFTNGP09.phx.gbl...
> > >
> > > Principle: In theory a GPO applied to machine or user
> > > can do anything -- anything that can be done through the
> > > registry or by running a program.
> > >
> > > Reality: There may not be a pre-existing item to
> > > accomplish the task/outcome and you have to decide
> > > how hard you wish to work.
> > >
> > > "djc" <noone@nowhere.com> wrote in message
> > > news:uPTHQ8S3EHA.1292@TK2MSFTNGP10.phx.gbl...
> > > > My network has a database front end file (just an MS Access .mdb
file)
> > > that
> > > > is updated almost weekly. I have used several techniques to
distribute
> > > this
> > > > file to all machines on the network with varying levels of success.
> I'm
> > > > interested in finding out how Active Directory GPO's can do it.
Below
> > are
> > > > several questions concerning this... some I think I know but
> > confirmation
> > > > can't hurt. I'm just looking for some initial info here to help me
> > decide
> > > if
> > > > I should persue this.
> > >
> > > General methods to attack this problem (with a GPO):
> > >
> > > 1) Batch file that just copies the update, creating any
> > > directories or running any programs necessary for the
> > > installation.
> > >
> > > 2) A formal Software installation package based on an MSI
> > > (or MSP) file.
> > >
> > > > 1) can a gpo create a folder on the client's local file system? and
> what
> > > if
> > > > that folder already exists?
> > >
> > > Sure. A script file can do this and GPOs can run scripts, e.g.:
> > >
> > > cd \somepath\DB
> > > md mydatabasesubdirectory
> > >
> > >
> > > Well, most methods would leave the directory there if it
> > > already existed but...
> > >
> > > cd \somepath\DB
> > > rd /s /q mydatabasesubdirectory
> > > md mydatabasesubdirectory
> > >
> > > > 2) The main operation I'm looking for the gpo to perform is just a
> file
> > > > copy. I have no .msi file. Can I do this? and what if the file
already
> > > > exists on the client?
> > >
> > > Scripts.
> > >
> > > Can you write a script to do this?
> > >
> > > If so, do so and test it -- then try it from a submitted batch file or
> > > in the GPO directly. (Running it as a submitted job removes the
> > > assumptions you may have about environment or path etc.)
> > >
> > > Once that is working, create it withing a GPO, paste in the working
> > > script (easier to get right this way), and assign the GPO.
> > >
> > > > 3) would I be able to set the gpo up in a way that I can set it up
> once
> > > and
> > > > leave it?
> > >
> > > Yes.
> > >
> > > > In other words, the .mdb file I need to keep up to date on the
> > > > clients can change as often as once a week (filename remains the
same
> of
> > > > course).
> > >
> > > Actually it could change as often as you wish (depending on
> > > size and performance) and it could just work.
> > >
> > > xcopy /d \\server\share\database.mdb c:\data\directory
> > >
> > > /d will update based on date and time stamps.
> > >
> > > One warning about MDB files and Access though: everytime they
> > > are opened they change the last used time on the file and so in effect
> > > it is a "new" version.
> > >
> > > > Can I simply create a gpo once that points to the location of the
> > > > file to copy so that all I need to do is copy over (overwrite) that
> file
> > > > with the new one and do nothing else?
> > >
> > > Watch out for permissions, paths etc, but yes. Probably best
> > > to link this to the COMPUTER container if you can guarantee
> > > the computer will boot, as the STARTUP script.
> > >
> > > Also consider if this makes more sense as a RECURRING
> > > task -- run on a schedule (e.g., at night) even if the machines
> > > don't reboot and the user stays logged on????
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>
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