Introduction - HP Compaq NC4000 New Features Manual

Introduction

Today's complex client/server computing environments can contain hundreds, if not thousands, of
client computers such as workstations, business PCs, and notebooks. Managing the hardware and
software on client computers can be challenging and often requires that each computer be visited
individually for tasks such as upgrading the BIOS firmware or performing diagnostics. It's often
difficult to keep track of the computer hardware deployed within the enterprise as well as the version
of the operating system installed on each client computer.
To help solve these problems, Hewlett-Packard Company (HP) and Altiris, Inc., have developed HP
Client Manager Software 6.1 (HPCM 6.1). HPCM is a free hardware management tool that allows
HP workstations, business PCs, and notebook computers running Microsoft Windows to be efficiently
managed from a central location.
Figure 1 shows HP workstations, business PCs, and notebook computers connected to a Microsoft
Windows 2000 server or Microsoft Windows 2003 server running HPCM. This server is called the
HPCM Server. All operations are performed on the HPCM Server through the Altiris Console window,
which allows local or remote Web-based operation. From the Altiris Console window, you can obtain
information from and perform operations on the client computers.
Figure 1. HP workstations, business PCs, and notebook computers connected to a Microsoft Windows 2000 server or Microsoft
Windows 2003 server running HPCM 6.1
2