The KACE Networks KBOX System Deployment Appliances (also known as the KBOX 2000 series) are targeted to mid-market network administrators and facilitate the remote and unattended provisioning of computers. From 100 to 20000 nodes are supported by the appliances.

The device exposes a Web-based admin console that allows both for the capture and deployment of system images to Windows and Linux nodes. An archive facility allows for the collection and storage of images on the KBOX itself; with the lower end appliance supporting the storage of up to 80 images while the high end device can hold up to 160 images.

According to the vendor, the device can be used to remotely provision operating systems, files, and applications ("Slipstreaming" of files and applications is supported) on desktops, laptops, or servers. Target nodes must be x86 boxes with a PXE-enabled NIC (no agents required); and the KBOX itself requires only a power connection and a static IP for deployment.

In addition to its disk image capture, archive, and deployment capabilities, the KBOX also supports remote, unattended scripted installations for heterogeneous computer environments (scripted installation definitions can also be stored on the device). Scripted installation, however, is supported only for Windows 2000/XP/2003/Vista targets.

Finally, in the event a target platform becomes corrupted (and is unable to boot) remote recovery features are provided by the appliance, leveraging a Windows PE-based recovery environment and or a bundled Knoppix-based recovery console.

Two appliances are available in the line. The KBOX 2100 supports 100-1,000 nodes and the storage of up to 80 images. It has 2 GB of memory, is driven by an Intel Core 2 Duo (2.13 GHz) processor, and includes a RAID 1 protected disk duo (2 x 250 GB SATA 7.2K RPM) with hot-swap support. The higher end KBOX 2200 supports 1,000-20,000 nodes and the storage of up to 160 images. It has 2 GB of memory, is driven by dual Xeon Quad Core (2GHz) processors, and includes a RAID 5 protected disk trio (3 x 250 GB SATA 7.2K RPM) with hot-swap support. Both boxes are 1U in size, and include a single power supply and dual Gig Ethernet ports.

New to the System Deployment Appliance is the inclusion of the KBOX Virtual Remote Appliance, which facilitates a Remote Replication feature enabling a central KBOX to extend systems provisioning to remote offices. While Remote Replication was possible in the prior version of the product, adding the Virtual Remote Appliance increases the overall Image support of the platform. The virtual remote appliance requires a VMware ESX Server 3.0+ or VMware Server 1.0+ at the remote location.

The KBOX System Deployment Appliances are available now; pricing starts at $4,900.

Contact KACE Networks for further information.

product submission by EITPlanet Staff

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