Wizard cuts disk administration

UbiBoot builds a universal disk image for all PC systems in a firm

French software firm Qualystem Technology has introduced a tool that lets IT administrators build a universal disk image for all the PC systems they manage. This could dramatically cut management costs and make admin easier, the firm said.

Qualystem UbiBoot, available now, is a preparation wizard for Windows 2000 and Windows XP systems, designed for environments where several builds of PC may be in use. UbiBoot allows administrators to build a single disk image that can be used across a wide variety of PC hardware configurations.

Unlike Microsoft's SysPrep tool, UbiBoot does not require IT staff to manually prepare the disk image, the company said. Instead, it relies on Windows to discover the hardware and install any drivers.

The process requires an IT manager to set up Windows once for each PC configuration in use, but using the same hard disk. UbiBoot is used to reset Windows to start up with legacy drivers each time

"Windows (2000 and XP) would not normally boot if you moved a disk from one PC to another, but if you reset it to use things like VGA graphics and basic IDE disk support, it will start up and then configure the hardware it finds," said Yves Gattegno, chief technology officer for Qualystem.

Eventually a complete set of drivers for a firm's PC fleet is accumulated on the disk.

At the end of the process, the disk can be copied and deployed company-wide using tools such as Norton Ghost or PowerQuest DriveImage, Qualystem said.

With SysPrep, an inventory must be taken of all the hardware components, and then driver files must be manually identified and copied, which can make image preparation a lengthy process. UbiBoot is designed to make admin easier on Qualystem's LAN-PC software, Gattegno said. This lets firms convert desktop PCs into diskless workstations that boot Windows from a server instead of a local hard disk. Previously, administrators had to maintain a separate boot partition on the server for each PC hardware configuration represented on their LAN.

Pricing for Qualystem UbiBoot starts at EUR499 (£350) for a one-month licence for up to 100 seats. A 12-month licence costs EUR2,999 (£2,100) for up to 100 seats.