PID questions

[Chris]

We are looking to deploy XPe to 100+ target machines but are unclear about
how the PID allocation works (even after reading Microsoft's
documentation!!!) Due to the large number of target machines we only want
to have to build a single image.

Q1) Do we have to either A) Enter a new PID, build the image and deploy it
to each device OR B) Use the System Cloning Tool? Is there an alternative?
Is there any way to enter the PID when FBA runs on each target so that each
target machine has a different PID?

Q2) Can multiple machines have the same PID as long as we've purchased a
sufficient number of licenses?

Q3) If we use the System Cloning Tool then can the image be deployed to each
target machine using a CD or does the target have to be physically connected
to the master machine?

 

[Nandini Shenoy]

Chris,

You can use System Cloning Tool component to achive what you want. As long
as your 100+ target machines have similar hardware configuration, you can
deploy the same master image onto your 100 devices.

Please refer to this article on how to use System cloning tool.
http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/xpehelp/htm
l/xeconCloning.asp

As long as you have purchased sufficient number of licences, you should be
fine. For question 3), the target does not have to be physically connected
to your master machine.

HTH,
Nandini[MS]

 

[JC]

Chris,
See answers below.

HTH,
JC

--
JC- BSquare Corp.
If you wish to reply directly to me, remove the <nospam_ > from the address.

We are looking to deploy XPe to 100+ target machines but are unclear about
how the PID allocation works (even after reading Microsoft's
documentation!!!) Due to the large number of target machines we only want
to have to build a single image.

[JC] So You have to have one Sticker on each device you ship. (they have to
be physically affixed to the device, somewhere)

Q1) Do we have to either A) Enter a new PID, build the image and deploy it
to each device OR B) Use the System Cloning Tool? Is there an
alternative?
Is there any way to enter the PID when FBA runs on each target so that
each
target machine has a different PID?

[JC]When Building in TD, you do not have to enter a different PID for each
device... just pick one, and clone based on that one. As long as you have a
sticker on each device, MS will consider you compliant.

Q2) Can multiple machines have the same PID as long as we've purchased a
sufficient number of licenses? [JC] Yes. See above response

Q3) If we use the System Cloning Tool then can the image be deployed to
each
target machine using a CD or does the target have to be physically
connected
to the master machine?

[JC] you can use the system cloning tool, in conjunction with SDI and El
Torrito CD ROM, to create a bootable, transferrable image. Alternately, you
can use a network tool to bring down over the wire as well.