Symantec ALTIRIS INVENTORY SOLUTION 7.0 SP2 - V1.0 Manual page 19

Method
Agent-based inventory on
managed computers
(computers with the Altiris
Agent)
Stand-alone Inventory
(for computers without the
Altiris Agent or connection
to a Notification Server)
Inventory methods (continued)
Table 1-3
Description
You can use this method by installing the Inventory plug-in on your managed
computers and running inventory policies. The inventory plug-in works with the
Altiris Agent and uses scheduled policies to collect more detailed information than
basic inventory. You can collect detailed information about the hardware, operating
system, local users and groups, and software.
Using the Inventory plug-in on managed computers, all inventory policies are remotely
managed from the Symantec Management Console. Inventory policies can be
scheduled to run at configurable intervals that provide up-to-date data. They can
also run at the times that do not affect your network s performance.
You can use the Inventory plug-in on Windows, Linux, UNIX, and Mac platforms.
The advantages are as follows:
You can gather a broad range of inventory data.
Inventory data is automatically collected and updated using scheduled tasks.
You can configure policies to report only changed data from the previous inventory.
Can be easily used on multiple platforms.
The disadvantages are as follows:
The target computer must be managed using the Altiris Agent.
Maintaining current inventory data can be difficult on the computers that are not
regularly connected to the network.
See "About gathering inventory on managed computers"
You can use this method by creating stand-alone programs that can be run on target
computers. These programs can be run on the computers that do not have the
Inventory plug-in. These programs are created using configuration pages in the
Symantec Management Console. The programs can be distributed using email, network
shares, log-in scripts, and so on.
The advantages are as follows:
Does not require the computer to be managed using the Altiris Agent or connected
to a Notification Server.
The disadvantages are as follows:
External delivery of inventory package is required.
The inventory schedule is not centrally managed.
Inventory data may not be current.
If the target computer is not connected to a Notification Server, the data must be
posted manually.
See Table 1-1 on page 14.
See "About gathering inventory using stand-alone packages"
Introducing Inventory Solution
Methods for gathering inventory
on page 32.
on page 59.
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