1.13.2 General procedure for distributing files

(1) Creating a file distribution plan

Create a file distribution plan before you begin the procedure. Also notify the users in advance of the details of the distribution plan.

1. Create a file distribution plan.

Consider the following items included in the file distribution plan:

• Computers to which the files are to be distributed

• Date and time on which the files are to be distributed

  When you set the date and time on which the files are to be distributed, you need to consider the load placed on the network. For example, you can schedule the distribution during night to avoid business hours, or divide the target computers into groups to perform distribution over several days.

Also, you need to do some preparation before you use the distribution function.

Tip

Before you start the file distribution procedure, we recommend that you make sure that the files are successfully distributed by using the computer for testing.

2. Notify the users of the details of the file distribution plan.

Notify the users in advance of the details of the file distribution plan to successfully distribute the files as scheduled and to avoid confusion among the users. For example, notify the users of the following information:

• File name

• Target folder

• Reason of distribution

• Distribution date and time

• Cautions

Now the preparation for the file distribution is complete.

Related Topics:

• 12.2 Distributing files to the computers

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(2) Distributing files to the computers

You can use the File Distribution wizard to distribute files to users' computers.

By using the File Distribution wizard, you can create a package in which the files to be distributed are registered and a task to distribute the package. When the wizard is complete, the package is distributed according to the schedule specified in the task.

To distribute the files to the computers:

1. Display the Distribution (ITDM-compatible) module.

2. In the menu area, select Packages and then Package List.

3. In the information area, from Action, select Launch File Distribution Wizard to start the wizard.

4. In the What is this Wizard? view, read the instruction, and then click the Next button.

5. In the Select File view, select Create New Package, specify the files to be registered in the package, and then click the Next button.

   If you have created a package already, you can select it in this step.

6. In the Specify Package view, set the package information, and then click the Next button.

7. In the Create Package Distribution Task view, set the schedule to perform distribution and so on, and then click the Next button.

   By clicking Execute Option, you can specify option settings such as the timing to distribute the files after the package distribution, email message to notify the users, and so on.

8. In the Select Target Computers view, click the Change button.

9. In the Change Applicable Computers dialog box, select the computers to which the files are distributed, and then click the OK button.

10. Click the Next button.

11. In the Confirm Settings view, check the settings, and then click the Complete button.

12. In the Distribution Settings Configured view, click the Close button.

The files are distributed to the specified target computers according to the schedule specified in the task. You can view the execution status of the task in the Task List view of the Distribution (ITDM-compatible) module.

Tip

The users can change the schedule to execute the file distribution later if more urgent or important operation is in progress on their computers.

Related Topics:

• 12.6 Postponing downloads and installation as a user

• 12.5.5 Stopping tasks

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(3) Reviewing the results of the task execution

You can review the task execution status in the Tasks view of the Distribution (ITDM-compatible) module.

We recommend that you check the task execution status on regular basis until the task is complete. If a failure occurs on the computer during the task execution, find the cause of the failure to solve the problem, and then re-execute the task.

Tip

You can also configure JP1/IT Desktop Management 2 to automatically send an email when a distribution management event occurs (such as task completion and task failure).

1. Review the execution status of the task.

In the Tasks view of the Distribution (ITDM-compatible) module, select a task to view its execution status. After you select a task, the detailed information of the task is displayed in the tab at the bottom of the information area. In the Task Information tab, select Task Status Details and then Progress (Completed/Total) to check whether the task has been completed successfully.

Tip

In the following cases, task information will be automatically deleted from the task list:

Tasks executed by the administrator:

- When 30 days have passed after the completion of distribution.

- When the number of devices subject to the task becomes 0.

Tasks executed by automatic countermeasure:

- When 7 days have passed after the completion of distribution.

- When the number of devices subject to the task becomes 0.

- Unset the Automatic Enforcement of Security Policy (Windows Update or Software Use).

2. Find the cause of the task failure, and then solve the problem.

If a failure occurred on the computer during the task execution, click the Failed link in the Task Information tab. The Task Status tab opens with a list of computers on which the task has failed.

Click the link in Task Status to display a dialog box showing the details of the task status. Find the cause of the task failure, and then solve the problem.

3. Re-execute the task.

When the problem has been resolved, re-execute the task.

If you re-execute the task with the same settings:

You can just re-execute the task with the same settings as the previous execution.

If you re-execute the task with different settings:

If you need to change the settings such as execution schedule or target computer, edit or copy the settings, and then re-execute the task.

Now the task will be re-executed on the target computers.

Tip

In Distribution (ITDM-compatible) - Tasks - Task List, the time displayed for Elapsed Time indicates the time that has elapsed since the starting time of the task, if the task status is In Progress. So it may be different from the actualtask completion time.

Related Topics:

• 15.7.1 Specifying settings for event notification

• 12.5.6 Re-executing tasks

• 12.5.2 Editing tasks

• 12.5.3 Copying tasks

• 12.5.5 Stopping tasks

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