Deciding on the Preferred Client Configuration: An Overview

With the Planning and Installation teams assembled and educated about Windows 95 capabilities, the next task for these teams is to determine the preferred configuration for client computers on the network. (For the purposes of this discussion, "client computer" refers to any computer running Windows 95, including computers that act as peer servers by running File and Printer Sharing services.) The teams will use this configuration for evaluation and testing, prior to full implementation of Windows 95 in your organization.

The tables in this section summarize options to consider in planning your preferred configuration. Using the information in these tables, evaluate the available features and the related alternatives before making a decision. Microsoft recommends that you begin your evaluation with the "ideal" configuration, that is, a configuration that uses all of the most powerful features of Windows 95. Then gradually modify this configuration, adding or removing features, until you achieve a configuration that more closely fits your company's needs. When you have identified the preferred configuration, document the configuration layout and the selected features to make sure you install and test the correct configuration.

To learn more about product features as they relate to your system configuration, see Chapter 2, "Deployment Strategy and Details," or the related chapters of the Resource Kit.

The following table presents an overview of configuration layout decisions and feature options for the ideal network client. An additional table lists features which Microsoft recommends for implementation by all organizations; these features define how Windows 95 will be installed and administered in your organization. The final table shows optional features that may be useful in some organizations.

Configuration Layout Decisions

Configuration option

Decisions and issues

Location of Windows files

To maximize performance, security, or hard disk space on the client computer

Depends on your need to maximize central security and administration versus performance on the client computer. Also depends on the hardware platform of the client computer.

Options:

Run Windows 95 on the client computer for best performance and reduced network traffic.

Run Windows 95 from the server to save hard disk space on client computers and make it easier to upgrade components or drivers later, especially for multiple computers.

Run completely from the server for the highest degree of security or for diskless workstations.

For information, see Chapter 4, "Server-Based Setup for Windows 95."


Key Features of the Ideal Network Client

Preferred feature

Decisions and issues

Use 32-bit, protected-mode network client software

To provide the best network performance and functionality

Depends on the compatibility of your required applications. Options vary based on your network. For example, for Novell® NetWare® networks:

Protected-mode Client for NetWare Networks is the preferred client, because of the performance and increased functionality, and because it's easy to install and configure.

Real-mode Novell NETX or VLM clients may offer slightly better compatibility with some network utilities.

A real-mode network client for another network can also be used with Client for NetWare Network.

For information, see Part 3, "Networking."

Use 32-bit, protected-mode protocols

To provide the best network performance and functionality

Depends on compatibility with your choice of client. Options depend on your choice of protocol. For example, for IPX/SPX:

Microsoft IPX/SPX-compatible protocol is preferred (with or without IPX over NetBIOS).

Keep real-mode IPXODI for use with a real-mode Novell-supplied client.

Both the real-mode and Microsoft protected-mode implementations can be used if some of your applications (such as TSRs) require the real-mode protocol.

For information, see Chapter 12, "Network Technical Discussion."

Use the latest network adapter drivers

To provide improved performance and the ability to both load and unload the network and notify the rest of the system, use NDIS 3.1 drivers, which support Plug and Play

Depends on the availability and compatibility of the new driver. The 32-bit, protected mode drivers offer vastly improved performance and reliability over older versions. For PCMCIA cards, the 32-bit drivers are extremely easy to manage.

Options:

Always use the newest drivers available; implemented by default.

Manually choose to keep using an older driver, including ODI drivers, if new drivers are not available.

For information, see Chapter 12, "Network Technical Discussion."

Use the new Windows 95 user interface

To provide ease of use and maximum functionality in accessing Windows 95 features

Depends on timing or preference rather than functionality because the new user interface is significantly more functional and efficient. But, if a rapid migration is required, and training is not immediately available, the Windows 3.1 user interface can be used temporarily.

Options:

Use the new user interface; this is preferred and installed by default.

Install the Windows 3.x File Manager and Program Manager.

For information, see Chapter 22, "Application Support."


Recommended Windows 95 Features for Client Configurations

Windows 95 feature

Decisions and issues

Use system policies

To enable centralized administration capabilities of Windows 95 or add control of the user's desktop

Choose this feature to enable centralized administration or add control.

Options:

Use System Policy Editor to define policies at any time.

For computers running a shared copy of Windows 95 from a server, configure the shared installation directory with a limited set of components for Windows 95. This is not a recommended choice.

For information, see Chapter 15, "User Profiles and System Policies."

Use user profiles

To allow multiple users to use a single computer with their own settings or, conversely, to allow personalized settings per user on multiple computers

Choose this feature to maintain consistent desktop and environment settings on a user-specific basis. Enabling user profiles causes a slight delay during logon.

Options:

Users can control changes to their user profiles and update them as they want.

Administrators can predefine a mandatory profile for specific users, that can only be changed by the administrator.

For information, see Chapter 15, "User Profiles and System Policies."

Enable remote administration

To allow an administrator to remotely manage the file system, network sharing, or Registry of the individual computers

Install this service to allow remote administration. To use it, you must use a 32-bit network client and also enable user-level access.

For information, see Chapter 16, "Remote Administration."

Use setup scripts (batch files) for installation

To allow automated installation on client computers

Choose this feature if you must install Windows 95 on more than five computers.

Server-based Setup offers an easy to use, graphical tool for creating setup scripts. You can also manually create a script with additional options by creating a text file with the appropriate entries.

For information, see Chapter 5, "Custom, Automated, and Push Installations," and Appendix D, "MSBATCH.INF Parameters."

Set up for push installation

To allow the administrator to push the installation from the server without touching the client computer

Choose to use a push installation, based on the location and number of computers you must upgrade.

Options:

Edit the login script to run a setup script.

Use a tool such as the Microsoft Systems Management Server to facilitate the setup.

For information, see Chapter 5, "Custom, Automated, and Push Installations," and Appendix E, "Microsoft Systems Management Server."

Use peer resource sharing services

To allow a client computer to share files and resources such as printers and CD-ROM drives with other computers

Choose this feature based on your site's security needs. If users are allowed to share local resources on their computers, then peer resource sharing can save network traffic and hard disk space on the server. For central control or to prevent users from turning on this feature, use system policies.

This feature can only be installed on computers that use a 32-bit, protected-mode network client.

For information, see Chapter 11, "Logon, Browsing, and Resource Sharing."

Use user-level security

To implement control for a variety of services beyond network resource access, including File and Printer Sharing, Remote Registry, backup agents, and other network and system management functions

Choose this feature to enable users to specify the users and groups who have access to local shared resources (including the Registry). Validation by a Windows NT Server or a NetWare server can also be required before access to any resources is possible under Windows 95.

Options:

Users can specify access rights to shared resources for individuals and groups.

Access is validated based on user accounts on a Windows NT domain or a Novell NetWare bindery.

User-level security is required for remote administration of the Registry and for network access to full user profiles.

Optionally, share-level security can be used to protect files on Windows NT networks or Windows 95 peer networks.

For information, see Chapter 14, "Security."


Other Optional Windows 95 Features

Windows 95 feature

Decisions and issues

Use Microsoft Exchange Mail

To have a unified inbox for messages, faxes, and so on

Depends on whether you have an existing mail system and whether you want the added integration of messaging services offered by Microsoft Exchange.

Options:

Install all or part of Microsoft Exchange during the installation.

Run your existing mail client as usual.

For information, see Chapter 26, "Electronic Mail and Microsoft Exchange."

Use Windows 95 mobile computing features

To enable Windows 95 features that support mobile computing or switching between portable and docking-station configurations

Depends on the particular hardware and the working needs of mobile-computing users. Some of these features are not installed by default but can be specified during Setup or installed later:

Dial-Up Networking client software for dial-up connection to popular servers

Windows 95 Briefcase for synchronizing files between computers, and Direct Cable Connection for directly linking two computers, plus other built-in communications applications

Remote mail and deferred printing, for working away from the main office

Automatic configuration for PCMCIA cards, and for all components with Plug and Play-compliant hardware

User profiles to provide a custom desktop for each user, no matter where users log on to the network

For information, see Chapter 19, "Devices," and Chapter 28, "Dial-Up Networking and Mobile Computing."

Use other Windows 95 value-added features

To enable other Windows 95 ease-of-use innovations and capabilities such as The Microsoft Network and Microsoft Fax

Depends on your existing services and needs. In general, if client computers have the hard disk space and use a utility or an application with the same capabilities from another vendor, you should install the new features and test their value.

These features are not installed by default but can be specified during Setup or installed later:

Microsoft Fax for fax receipt and transmission

The Microsoft Network for online services

For information, see Chapter 26, "Electronic Mail and Microsoft Exchange," Chapter 27, "Microsoft Fax," and Chapter 29, "The Microsoft Network."