The Relationship Between AutoClient Systems and Host Manager

AutoClient systems are installed, configured, and maintained with the command-line interface or with Host Manager. Host Manager is a graphical user interface that allows for greater efficiency and ease of use in administering your AutoClient systems in a network environment. Host Manager enables system administrators to perform the following tasks:

• Add, modify, display, or remove AutoClient system information in a network environment

• Convert existing generic, standalone, and dataless systems to the AutoClient system type

• Change information about multiple AutoClient systems in one operation

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  Note -

  Host Manager does not set up an AutoClient system's /opt directory. For more information, see "Configuration and Transition Issues".

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  Host Manager has the following features:

• Easy conversion to the AutoClient system type - You can easily add AutoClient systems to your network, and convert some existing system types to AutoClient systems.

• Easy Modification - You can modify an AutoClient system by using the Modify screen. You can modify all attributes before saving changes of a newly added AutoClient or stand alone converted to an AutoClient. After saving changes, you can only modify a subset of the attributes.

• Global browsing - You can look at the systems in your local network on one screen.

• Batching - You can add, delete, and modify many AutoClient systems in one work session.

• Progress/status indication - At the bottom of the main menu is a display area that shows you how many systems have been added, deleted, or modified within a work session.

• Viewing and scrolling capabilities - Scroll bars enable easy viewing of system information. Host Manager also provides a search mechanism.

• Viewing error messages - If an error occurs during an operation, a pop-up window appears. You can also open the window manually from the View menu.

  You can find more information on these features in Chapter 5, Host Manager Reference Information, and in Chapter 6, Managing AutoClient Systems," as these features pertain to individual tasks.

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  Note -

  This book focuses on using Host Manager to maintain AutoClient systems. For more information on other Host Manager functionality, use online help or see the Solstice AdminSuite 2.3 Administration Guide.

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