TITLE
    Apple Network Administrator Toolkit 2.0: Description
Article ID:
Created:
Modified:
24162
8/7/97
10/28/97

TOPIC

    This article provides a description of the Apple Network Administrator's Toolkit version 2.0.


DISCUSSION

    Product Overview

    Apple Network Administrator Toolkit is a suite of applications designed to make the life of the network manager much easier. It contains three applications: At Ease for Workgroups, Apple Network Assistant, and Apple User and Group Manager in one convenient package. This comprehensive set of software will allow the teacher, computer lab director, or administrator of a network to provide security, manage user and group lists, update software, restore hard-disk configurations, and provide direct assistance to users over the network all from a single point. Each application in the Apple Network Administrator Toolkit can be installed and used individually or together as a suite of network tools.

    At Ease for Workgroups allows the teacher to manage and focus the student's attention by determining the applications, documents, printers, systems settings, and file servers they can access.

    Apple Network Assistant provides two functions: tools for remotely managing and maintaining all systems over a network, and collaborative features allowing you to interact with the user.

    Apple User and Group Manager is a utility for managing user and group information. Apple User and Group Manager software simplifies server management by allowing the administrator to consolidate user lists from multiple sources, and transfer user and group data from one server to another. The Apple User and Group Manager supports AppleShare 3.0 or later, First Class, and At Ease for Workgroups servers 4.0 and 5.0, and AppleShare IP 5.0.

    New Features Overview

    At Ease for Workgroups 5.0 now allows students to access their school work from home using the Internet. New support for Apple's eMate allows At Ease for Workgroups to remotely manage the Classroom Exchange server.

    With At Ease for Workgroups 5.0, the network administrator can control access to applications and workgroup resources, control which CDs students have access to and prevent unauthorized users from deleting files or copying data or software from the network. The software continues to build upon the Panels interface, which is popular with younger children, by providing an enhanced Restricted Finder and Finder interfaces for more experienced students.

    The new version instills the notion of mobility and shared resources by preserving student attributes, such as personal bookmarks and Internet Configuration settings, and making them available at any computer the student uses.

    Apple Network Assistant 3.0 now includes native support for TCP/IP, removing the dependency on AppleTalk, and including support for screen-sharing over slower network connections (28.8 modem or faster recommended). New features such as the ability to set and change various Internet and TCP/IP settings; and asset management features that allow the tracking of equipment, make it even easier to set up and manage Mac OS-compatible computers throughout the school. The administrator can also gather details about RAM, available disk space, versions of applications, system software and other information to prepare for upgrades and monitor resources. The Apple Network Assistant also supports remote shutdown and restart of computers, making it easier for educators to power down the computer lab before going home.

    The Apple User and Group Manager 1.1 simplifies import and export of users and group lists between the new AppleShare IP 5.0, At Ease for Workgroups 4.0 and 5.0 and First Class services, providing consistent user names, groups and passwords across multiple servers.

    Summary of Key Features

    • Provides a suite of easy network management tools in one package
    • Supports TCP/IP and AppleTalk network protocols
    • Provides real-time on-line assistance to one or more users over the network
    • Controls access to files, applications, CDs, and printers
    • Permits file and application access from any Mac OS computer on the network
    • Offers different interfaces for novice and experienced Mac OS users
    • Supports software distribution and updates across an entire network
    Flexible access management
    • Allows students to work at any computer as if it where their own by preserving their most recent personal attributes, such as bookmarks, email addresses, Internet Config settings, etc.
    • Control access to selected applications, files, floppy disks, CD-ROMs, servers, printers, and other resources.
    • Define application and document access privileges for each user or group.
    • Assign different desktop interfaces (simple to standard) based upon user experience and need.
    Network-wide management
    • Manage all the networked Macintoshes from a single point over TCP/IP and/or AppleTalk networks.
    • Save time by simultaneously copying or updating software to multiple Mac OS-compatible computers at the same time.
    • Restore a system's hard disk to a previous configuration.
    • Help or teach users computer tasks or assignments by sharing your Mac OS-compatible computer screen, or by viewing and/or controlling theirs.
    • TCP/IP support provides network management over the Internet.
    User and group management
    • Consolidate user lists from multiple sources.
    • Simple exchange (drag and drop) of user and group data from one server to another.
    • Create user lists from existing school registers or employee databases.
    System Requirements

    Administration System
    • Apple Macintosh (except Mac Plus), PowerBook, Power Macintosh, or other Mac OS-based computer with at least 8MB of RAM
    • Mac OS System 7.1 or later
    • Monitor with at least 640- by 480-pixel resolution
    • AppleTalk network connection (Ethernet recommended, and is required for Talk and Announce functions)
    • AppleShare Client software (included with Mac OS)
    Client System
    • Apple Macintosh (except Mac Plus), PowerBook, Power Macintosh, or other Mac OS-based computer with at least 4MB of RAM
    • Mac OS System 7.1 or later
    • AppleShare Client software (included with Mac OS)
    • Talk feature requires dual channel sound capabilities
    At Ease Server System
    • AppleShare server software 3.0 or later (AppleShare 4.0 or later recommended)
    • Network connection (Ethernet recommended)
    • Talk feature requires dual channel sound capabilities
    At Ease Internet Client and Server Requirements
    • WebSTAR API Compatible Web Server
    • Any Java-enabled browser
    Product Contents

    The ANAT 2.0 retail and upgrade products include the following:
    • CD
    • Manual: Quickstart
    • Manual: Installing and Setting up your Software
    • Manual: Using your software
    • License agreement
    • Flyer indicating how to order more manuals and/or licenses


Document Information
Product Area: Apple Software
Category: Apple Network Administrator Toolkit
Sub Category: General Topics

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