Client delivery services for workplace and server management

The IT workstation and server infrastructure used at ETH Zurich is tailored to the specific needs of research, teaching and adminis­tration. To operate this infrastructure efficiently, flexibly and scalably, the following operating system and software distribution systems, client deployment systems, and other tools are available. Together, these solutions manage approximately 20,000 clients and servers.

The packaging of software products forms part of this service. Packaging entails the preparation of all required software products so that they can be automatically installed and uninstalled without user intervention as well as making ETH- or customer-specific presets and configurations.

A central antivirus management console is available to complement the above services and provides an additional security element.

All solutions used have an easy-to-use user interface and enable the extensive delegation of functions and roles to support groups or end-customer advisers, known as deployment managers. These features allow independent adaptation and optimisation of the managed systems, for example with regard to configuration, software package integration, type of software distribution (from automated to self-service), continuous patch management, inventory, flexible help for support in the area of IT security and much more