This redbook, a companion to Inside OS/2 Warp Server, Volume 1, SG24-4602,
provides information about the Systems Management, Software Distribution,
Backup and Recovery, and Advanced Print Services components of IBM OS/2
Warp Server. It is the result of a residency project conducted at the IBM ITSO,
Austin Center.
Systems Management is a vast and complex topic. We discuss many systems
management issues and how the SystemView product within OS/2 Warp Server
can address many of the issues and problems that arise in a computerized
environment. We describe how the administrator can monitor important files for
unauthorized changes, query systems remotely for hardware and software
inventory information, view and control desktops remotely, and process alerts
from systems that require attention. All this can be done from the
administrator's desktop, quickly solving problems and saving money.
Electronic Software Distribution is an excellent mechanism for companies, large
and small, to cut unnecessary costs while maintaining a productive desktop
environment for employees. This redbook describes software distribution
considerations and how SystemView Software Distribution within OS/2 Warp
Server can address your desktop software maintenance problems. We also
provide recommendations on selecting the best products and functions for your
distribution needs.
Printing can often be a frustrating task for both the end user and the
administrator. We explore Advanced Print Services functions, such as remote
management of network printers and converting print streams, to enable the use
of a much wider variety of printers, such as host printers.
Backing up critical files and being able to restore them quickly is a requirement
in virtually all environments. We investigate the functions of OS/2 Warp Server
Backup/Restore to effectively manage the server environment and describe
some unique capabilities, such as the intuitive user interface and the ability to
use client/server-based resources for backup and restore.
Many customers run multiple protocols, such as NetBIOS, IPX, TCP/IP, and SNA.
Having applications communicate seamlessly across these protocols can be a
daunting task. We describe how the AnyNet component of the IBM
Communications Server can be used to expand OS/2 Warp Server's reach into
the WAN environment, embracing virtually any communications protocol need.
Some customers have a need for very large processing capacity on the Intel
hardware platform. We briefly discuss the OS/2 Warp Server SMP product and
the improvements and changes from OS/2 Warp Server. With this information,
the administrator can decide how and when to migrate to this enterprise-ready
environment.
Knowledge of IBM OS/2 Warp and IBM OS/2 LAN Server 3.0 or 4.0, and an
understanding of TCP/IP are assumed.