Confusion about applications

[Migration User]

Hello folks,

I'm confused as to the purpose and uses of GSS and various components.
From what I can surmise:

You can use Ghost 8.2 to:
Clone computers (Ghost console / client)
Manage Computers (Ghost console)
Image/Restore multiple computers (Ghostcast Server)
Edit images (Ghost explorer)
Create Boot Disks (Ghost Boot Wizard)
Migrate Settings and Data (Ghost Console)

You can use DeployCenter 5.6 to:
Clone Computers (ImageCenter)
Image Multiple Computers (PowerCast Server)
Edit Images (Image explorer)
Create Boot Disks (Boot Disk Builder)

You can use Client Migration to:
Migrate Settings and Data

So I'm wondering: why all the redundancy? Why are Ghost and DeployCenter on the same CD? Are they compatible? I'm finding it very confusing as I try to put the Suite through its paces and evaluate. I have a bunch of gho files that I'd like to manage, but I don't know which apps to use, when to use them and why.

Thanks for your time

[Migration User]

I can answer some of your questions, but not all.

No, Ghost and deploycenter aren't compatible. Ghost can't create/restore Deploycenter images and Deploycenter can't create/restore Ghost images.

Since you have .GHO image files, you can only use the Ghost 8.2 range of apps. Not the deploycenter tools.

Chris

[Migration User]

Hi Shawn,
Actually the idea was to reduce the confusion :-) (instead of offering different products with overlapping features)

Since the acquisition of PowerQuest, both cloning engines are included in Ghost Solution Suite providing a single product for both Ghost and Deploy Center users. Based on the format of the image collection, users can use either Ghost or Deploy center.

Other than cloning support provided by Ghost and DC, users may benefit from the management features of Ghost Console and tools included in DeployCenter regardless of what product was used before.

Migrating user and application settings is a common requirement in this area. Ghost Console has a limited capability to migrate user settings (Move the User feature), but lacking the comprehensive support. Symantec Client Migration product was included to fill this gap. SCM is capable of moving user settings as well as application settings supporting a wide range of options.

If you have a collection of .gho images, it is easier to use Ghost as they are Ghost images.

[Migration User]

Thanks to both of you! :) I think putting both products on the same disk and calling it a "Suite" is misleading, though...

Krish, I'll be using Ghost since all my files are gho's. You stated that:

"Other than cloning support provided by Ghost and DC, users may benefit from the management features of Ghost Console and tools included in DeployCenter regardless of what product was used before."

Can you (or anyone else) tell me which of the PowerQuest tools I'll be able to use with Ghost and my gho's?

[Migration User]

Hi Shawn,

This depends a lot on what you want to do. For example, if you do local cloning using Ghost.exe, it is possible to use Virtual Floppy from DCL to boot the machine to DOS.

Using Boot Disk builder or VF Editor, you can create a DOS boot disk image containing Ghost.exe. Boot Disk Builder tools menu has an option to build an executable from that boot disk image, which can run under Windows. This will boot the machine to DOS without using a floppy disk but a virtual floppy image. If you do not use PXE boot, this is a convenient way of booting to DOS. Another example is PQDisk, which allows you to re-size the partitions without destroying data.

I am sure you will find more uses of them with the time :-)