Are you open to discussing OS management strategies?
Are you open to discussing OS management strategies?
Hey everyone! I have a topic for some experienced System Admins or IT experts. I think they might be interested too... I specialize in AV and deal with a lot of computers, servers, and networks these days. For many years I’ve built and maintained systems meant for specific tasks, usually running one software per machine. Back then, I handled around 5-10 machines each year – it was manageable. Since the pandemic, I work in a larger organization with nearly 100 machines on-site supporting AV services. There’s still no standard way to handle updates and configurations across Windows systems. While I have a clear vision of what an ideal Windows image should look like, I’m uncertain about the best approach. Should I rely on spreadsheets, or is there a more professional method? Do you manage Windows updates and versions yourself, or do you disable them entirely? I use WinAero Tweaker which works but doesn’t feel fully professional. For major clients, they often need a formal update policy, and I’d appreciate some guidance on how to handle this properly. Would love your advice!
Today's approach mainly uses AAD and endpoint manager. For more traditional, fully-managed options, there are plenty of RMM tools available. Even Linus occasionally supports them, though I can't remember the exact name—just check serverroom videos for guidance.
You're referring to either Smart Deploy or Pulseway. We possess a Pulseway license for local management (staff endpoints), but does this need a physical network link to these endpoints? I wasn't aware that, but the machines are mostly just online. We connect to them via a Teamviewer solution for remote access, though they aren't truly part of our internal network because this usually demands too much setup and coordination with the clients' IT teams.
Yes, pulseway functions similarly to most RMM tools—once the agent connects to the endpoint with an internet link, it becomes active. If pulseway doesn’t operate that way, recent alternatives like SolarWinds and Kaseya VSA offer comparable negative advertising features.