The NICE team includes Alberto Di Meglio, Per Hagen, Karen Howie
An Overview of NICEAn Overview of NICE
Alberto Pace
Information Technology division, CERN
Architecture and Technologies used at CERN to support Microsoft Windows computers
Part I - ArchitecturePart I - Architecture
Part II - TechnologiesPart II - Technologies
HEP NT Days, 2-4 December 1998, CERN, Geneva
NICE is the CERN PC NetworkNICE is the CERN PC Network
Currently supporting Windows 95 and NT 4 April 1997
More 3000 registered users More than 1300 users on-line More than 100 GB of user’s files
Today (conservative figures) More 6000 registered users ( + 100 %) More than 2800 users on-line ( + 115 %) More than 250 GB of user’s files ( + 150 %)
HEP NT Days, 2-4 December 1998, CERN, Geneva
95 / NT status95 / NT status
Feb - Apr 1997 (exact figures) 2007 different IP addresses have been seen using NICE95 141 different IP addresses have been seen using NICENT 64 have used both 95/NT (Total 2084 different computers) 2173 different accounts have used NICE95 147 different accounts have used NICENT 93 have used both 95/NT (Total 2227 different accounts)
In the last two months (exact figures) 3776 different IP addresses have been seen using NICE95 ( + 88 %) 745 different IP addresses have been seen using NICENT ( + 428 %) 235 have used both 95/NT (Total 4286 different computers) ( + 267 %) 3783 different accounts have used NICE95 ( + 73 %) 909 different accounts have used NICENT ( + 518 %) 560 have used both 95/NT (Total 4132 different accounts) ( + 502 %)
HEP NT Days, 2-4 December 1998, CERN, Geneva
The Services for the UserThe Services for the User
Hardware purchasing Definition of standard hardware Purchasing Installation at the user’s desk. Software Configuration Support
User and Computer registration services Accounts creation / deletion / modification NT domain / Netware NDS / Msmail Password management Disk quota management (Netware only)
HEP NT Days, 2-4 December 1998, CERN, Geneva
The Services (2)The Services (2)
Home Directories and users’ files more than 20 servers, more than 400 GB of disks Mainly using Novell Netware Cross platforms access (Windows, Macintosh, NFS) Backup services
Application software network disk Offers all the CERN-wide recommended software pre-installed More than one hundred commercial products available 5 Servers, mirrored
HEP NT Days, 2-4 December 1998, CERN, Geneva
The Services (3)The Services (3)
Print Services Global printing service to access all CERN printers LPR - LPD protocol on TCP/IP See separate presentation on this topic
HEP NT Days, 2-4 December 1998, CERN, Geneva
The Services (4)The Services (4)
Electronic Mail Microsoft Mail being migrated to the central IMAP server
Documentation French and English versions
CD ROM server Server with 28 disk drives (slow) 12 GB of fast disks on fast ethernet
HEP NT Days, 2-4 December 1998, CERN, Geneva
The Services (5)The Services (5)
Remote access using FTP or WWW From any computer world wide NICEWWW: a unique gateway to novell files Every user can have his home page on the Web
Access from Home Using Dial-up networking TCP/IP and IPX/SPX Access to the Internet and to all home directories
Portable computers See later
HEP NT Days, 2-4 December 1998, CERN, Geneva
What the user seesWhat the user sees
You start application You start application using the Start Menuusing the Start Menu
Here you access all Here you access all network resources network resources (printers, disks, etc.)(printers, disks, etc.)
Here you access files Here you access files of of OTHEROTHER people people
Here you access Here you access YOURYOUR files files
Here you read you Here you read you electronic mailelectronic mail
Here you access the Here you access the disks of your PCdisks of your PC
HEP NT Days, 2-4 December 1998, CERN, Geneva
The user selects what he The user selects what he wants on the Start Menuwants on the Start Menu
Using the “More Group” icon in “Applications” Using the “More Group” icon in “Applications” or “CERN Settings” in “Control Panel”or “CERN Settings” in “Control Panel”
he can he can SEARCHSEARCH the the application you wantapplication you want
HEP NT Days, 2-4 December 1998, CERN, Geneva
User Settings and ProfilesUser Settings and Profiles
Are roaming For 95 users: stored in the home directory For NT users: stored in a dedicated profile server
HEP NT Days, 2-4 December 1998, CERN, GenevaPC in my office
NICE 95 & NTStandard PCInstallation
Any other PC at CERN
==
The NICE architectureThe NICE architecture Automated PC installation
Supports 95, NT Workstation and NT Server Allows technicians to solve ALL hardware and software related problems
in the local computer by bringing back any computer to a known state
Possible Manual PC installation all options predefined to the correct “default” values for CERN, the
installer can override *any* predefined option Useful for “special” users
PC configurations centrally maintained Centralised database of PCs at CERN
HEP NT Days, 2-4 December 1998, CERN, Geneva
SRV0_NICEComputer Centre
NICE Architecture (2)NICE Architecture (2)
There is a reference software server in the computer centre The server (SRV0_NICE) contains the CERN wide recommended
software.
HEP NT Days, 2-4 December 1998, CERN, Geneva
SRV0_NICE
NICE Architecture (3)NICE Architecture (3)
The software server is mirrored several times All machines are connected to the CERN backbone provide
maximum network performances This duplication allows 4000 simultaneous users
SRV3_NICESRV2_NICESRV1_NICE SRV4_NICE
HEP NT Days, 2-4 December 1998, CERN, Geneva
End User PC
SRV1_HOMER/W User Disk
SRV2_NICER/O Program Disk
NICE Architecture (4)NICE Architecture (4)
The User PC attaches his Home Directory server and the nearest NICE server He sees his “User disk” and the CERN “Program disk” In addition he may sees “divisional”
HEP NT Days, 2-4 December 1998, CERN, Geneva
Portable ComputersPortable Computers
Are supported by “mirroring” parts of NICE to the local disk The user selects only the applications he wants to be replicated
to the local disk
Minimum 1 GB hard disk required
HEP NT Days, 2-4 December 1998, CERN, Geneva
SRV2_NICER/O Program Disk
End User PC
Portable ComputersPortable Computers
SRV1_HOMER/W User Disk
Internet
HEP NT Days, 2-4 December 1998, CERN, Geneva
More ArchitectureMore Architecture
The Local Hard Disk is used for virtual memory (swap file) to install the operating system which is remotely managed to mirror part of the reference application server
(as a network cache) to install, on demand / on the fly, local applications.
Applications deployed to run directly from the NICE server from the local disk where applications are cached from the NICE
server from the local installation
The local installation can be Centrally maintained or maintained by the end-user
HEP NT Days, 2-4 December 1998, CERN, Geneva
Application software Application software distributiondistribution
The Windows “Start Menu” is the SAME on all computers User can hide / unhide part of the menu he does not use The centrally maintained start menu can point to
Applications pre-installed on the server Applications pre-installed in the local disk Scripts that will make a local/remote installation on the fly
when necessary, and then start the application The user can install local software in his local disk, under
his own responsibility
HEP NT Days, 2-4 December 1998, CERN, Geneva
The ApplicationsThe Applications
Word Processing and Desktop Publishing Drawing and Drafting
CD-ROM based clipart library (400 MBytes)
Spreadsheet, Management, Presentation Graphics Computer Aided Design (Mechanical, Electrical and
Electronic) Computer Aided Engineering Symbolic and Numerical Analysis
HEP NT Days, 2-4 December 1998, CERN, Geneva
The Applications (2)The Applications (2)
Controls, Tests and Instrumentation Programming
C, C++, Basic, Java, Fortran
Database Communication
World wide unlimited Internet access (Telnet, FTP, Mail, X terminal, Netscape, Internet Explorer, …)
HEP NT Days, 2-4 December 1998, CERN, Geneva
Inventory - AccountingInventory - Accounting
Everything is known: By computer, by software, by user, by time PC Inventory allows planification of hardware upgrades Software usage statistics allows negotiatiation of “cheap” licenses
based on simultaneous usage Statistics by user allow redistribution of licensing cost to end-users
(or to divisions) Time statistics just show that NICE usage is growing
We are “legally correct”
HEP NT Days, 2-4 December 1998, CERN, Geneva
LicensesLicenses
Licensing based on simultaneous users, that are monitored
Identify CERN wide recommended software Negotiate site or network licenses
HEP NT Days, 2-4 December 1998, CERN, Geneva
Internal organisationInternal organisation
NICEReference Server
NICE Mirror 1
End User
NICE Mirror 2
End User
NICE Mirror 3
End User
Area Specialists
Windows 3.1 / 95 / NT
Networking
CAD
MIS Applications
PC Configuration and Installation
Electronic Mail
Software Licensing
Home Server
Home Server
Home Server
HEP NT Days, 2-4 December 1998, CERN, Geneva
Area Specialists
Central User and Disk Administration
Central Backup, Servers maintenance
Help Desk
Fax Gateway, CD ROM Server
Hardware Maintenance & Installation
Printers
Internal organisation (2)Internal organisation (2)
Local Experts
NICE Mirror 1
End User
NICE Mirror 2
End User
Home Server
Home Server
Running technicians
End User
Part I - ArchitecturePart I - Architecture
Part II - TechnologiesPart II - Technologies
HEP NT Days, 2-4 December 1998, CERN, Geneva
Tools for application Tools for application distributiondistribution
Applications deployed to run directly from the NICE server from the local disk where applications are cached from the NICE
server from the local installation
Extension of Microsoft system policies WI interpreter CERN Shortcuts Deployment Tools Accounting
HEP NT Days, 2-4 December 1998, CERN, Geneva
System PoliciesSystem Policies Extensions to the “Microsoft Policies”
Disk Space Policies Drive Mapping Policies Registry Policies File Policies INI Policies Start Menu Policies Jobs Policies
Conditional execution attribute Periodic, Once, Always, if-undef
Policy downloaders Before the shell is started (NETCHK32) After the shell is started (NETEXE32)
HEP NT Days, 2-4 December 1998, CERN, Geneva
ScriptingScripting
WI interpreter Interpreted language like basic File manipulation (copy / move / delete / attrib / permissions) ASCII files manipulation (edit / search / replace / sort) INI files manipulation Registry manipulation, registry synchronization Directory synchronization with or without file version check version management Windows API, Drive mapping, Network logon / logoff, SMTP
Mail, NT services mgm, Windows shortcuts, UDP/IP, FTP, HTTP ….
Probably migrate to the Windows Scripting host
HEP NT Days, 2-4 December 1998, CERN, Geneva
CERN shortcutsCERN shortcuts
Microsoft shortcuts have some limitations Server name always hardcoded, even when using drive letters No map-on-demand possibility. All drives mapped statically
CERN shortcuts Server load balancing dynamic server attachement and drive mapping multiple context menu commands accounting
HEP NT Days, 2-4 December 1998, CERN, Geneva
Deployment toolsDeployment tools
File Changes Extraction File Version Control (WINVERS) Registry Alphabetic Dump (REGDUMP) Registry Changes Extraction (REGCMP) Registry Policy Verification (REGMGR)
HEP NT Days, 2-4 December 1998, CERN, Geneva
AccountingAccounting
True Client / Server model Server programme
receives all account records and writes them to the accounting database updates in real time all counters of application usage
Client Account Record Generator (AC32) used mainly by CERN Shortcuts and WI scripts
Client Resident Account Programme (NWRCSRV) writes known windows titles and appliation modules found to accounting
server
PC inventory (PC_CONF) All known hardware parameters and the last logged on username
Processor type, memory, disk size, free disk space, video card, ethernet card, sound card, …
HEP NT Days, 2-4 December 1998, CERN, Geneva
Other presentations on NICE ServicesOther presentations on NICE Services
Web Services
Printing
HEP-NT DaysHEP-NT Days
Part I - ArchitecturePart I - Architecture
Part II - TechnologiesPart II - Technologies
Part III - More on NTPart III - More on NT
HEP NT Days, 2-4 December 1998, CERN, Geneva
Services differences 95 / NTServices differences 95 / NT
For the USER point of view NICE95 = NICENT
For the Workgroup Administrators point of view NICENT gives much more than NICE95
NICENT gives the possibility to Benefit from all central services Control all software updates from central services Be independent of network and central servers Enhance the service with workgroup specific applications and data Enancements can be made available CERN-Wide
HEP NT Days, 2-4 December 1998, CERN, Geneva
NICE / NT aimsNICE / NT aims
To look identical to the Windows 95 desktop service.
To satisfy the current high end user requirements that are not solved with Windows 95
To open the NICE architecture to workgroup administrators and give them full control in their workgroup
HEP NT Days, 2-4 December 1998, CERN, Geneva
The choice of the NICE The choice of the NICE serverserver
The Client computer is maintained by the NICE server to which it attaches Remotely Maintained (NICE NT)
from the central NICE servers from a local workgroup resource server
Three level of Maintenance with access to home directories and print services standalone (with TCP/IP connectivity,
of course)
HEP NT Days, 2-4 December 1998, CERN, Geneva
Home Directory\\srv1_home\usr13\home\userid
Nice Server\\srv3_nice\pgm
Workgroup server\\srv1_isolde\ctldynamic connection
transparent to the user
More ArchitectureMore Architecture
The Desktop computer connects to several servers One Home Directory server One “Standard Programs” server where he gets the “standard”
software (optionally) One or more “Workgroup Resource Servers” where he
gets workgroup-specific applications and data
HEP NT Days, 2-4 December 1998, CERN, Geneva
\\srv0_nice\pgm
\\srv1_nice\pgm \\srv2_nice\pgm \\srv3_nice\pgm
Automated replication
\\wgsrv\pgm
controlled replication
Workgroupserver
Software replicationSoftware replication
The reference server is replicated automatically to all “public” NICE servers Fast, high performance servers
The reference server can be replicated to some Workgroup Resource Servers This replication is under the workgoup administrator control. It can
be manual or automated
HEP NT Days, 2-4 December 1998, CERN, Geneva
Workgroup Resource Workgroup Resource ServersServers
Can be A real “server” (ex: srv1_isolde, srv1_dd, ….)
entirely managed locally by the workgroup administrator or ... … or managed (and backed up) by the central services (NYI)
available even without central network A “disk” on the central servers
the workgroup administrator has administrative rights on the whole disk and he manages the “contents” and the “access rights”.
The central services are responsible only for backups and server OS maintenance (patches, updates, ….)
HEP NT Days, 2-4 December 1998, CERN, Geneva
Workgroupreplica of NICE
on resource server
controlled or automatedreplication
Workgroup Resource Workgroup Resource ServersServers
Can contain Workgroup-specific software and data
the “standard” software is taken form the public NICE servers The Workgroup administrator has full control on his specific software
and data and he inherits the standard software
A replica of \\srv0_nice\pgm Give 24h/day 7d/week service, fully independent from central
services Give “control” to desktop changes. The workgroup administrator
decides what to import from the central services
HEP NT Days, 2-4 December 1998, CERN, Geneva
Nice Server\\srv3_nice\pgm
workgroup serverproviding an emergency replica of the NICE applications
note: in addition, the wg PC is connected to the home server and can dynamically connect to any other wg servers on the site
Example 1Example 1
Desktop system in a workgroup with a local resource server with an automated nice replication *only* Access standard software from the NICE central servers In case of network failure, the desktop will access the standard
software from the local workgroup server The workgroup server is user only in emergency situations and can be
a cheap, slow machine
HEP NT Days, 2-4 December 1998, CERN, Geneva
workgroup serverproviding a controlledreplica of the NICE applications
note: in addition, the wg PC is connected to the home server and can dynamically connect to any other wg servers on the site
controlled replication from srv0_nice
Example 2Example 2
Desktop system in a workgroup with a local resource server with a manual nice replication *only* Access standard software from the workgroup server The workgroup administrator controls the replication and he decides
when upgrades of the standard application take place
HEP NT Days, 2-4 December 1998, CERN, Genevanote: in addition, the wg PC is connected to the home server and can dynamically connect to any other wg servers on the site
workgroup serverproviding specific applications or data
workgroup serverproviding a controlledreplica of the NICE applications
controlled replication from srv0_niceTOTAL FREEDOM
Example 3Example 3
Desktop system in a workgroup with a local resource server with a manual nice replication and with WG soft and data
Access standard software from the workgroup server The workgroup administrator controls the replication and he decides when
upgrades of the standard application take place Access workgroup-specific software / data from his workgroup server