The initial minimal set should include three VMs that cover the majority of the MIT community and provide for the flexible use by DLCs to meet localized needs.

  1. Base VM - configured to provide the most fundamental pieces such as security patches and configuration
  2. Administrative Staff VM - Business applications and customizations layered on top of the Base VM
  3. Student VM - Academic and education focused applications and customizations layered on top of the Base VM

All VMs are based on Windows 7 and use Microsoft's sysprep and minor VMware generalization steps to make the resulting VM unique.

Beyond that, some additional VMs that we could provide include:

  • DebAthena VM
  • VM with all of Microsoft Office (not just Outlook)
  • more to be deteremined

We feel that in terms of a service to the community, before adding a VM to the deployment options, a group must provide a resource to refresh the VM on the scheduled basis.

Base VM

  • Windows 7 Enterprise
  • Audience: IT Partners to build custom DLC VMs from as we'd expect most of the community to use either Student or Administrative Staff VMs

SysPrep Screens:

  • INCLUDE: User Name/Machine Name
  • SKIP: TimeZone (set to EST5EDT)
  • SKIP: Language and Keyboard (set to US English)
  • SKIP: EULA (if possible or customize with MIT specific licensing info)
  • SKIP: Network Type selection (set network to Public)

Windows Configuration

  • Set to use MIT WAUS
  • Apply all current patches/updates for OS
  • Include Microsoft Update for Office (check to make sure this is doing the right thing)
  • Customized Background Image for easy support reference on phone
  • Add VM version information and details to system properties
  • Do NOT include direct link to Help Desk
  • Run IE Cert Tool to install MIT CA, etc.
  • Set IE homepage to http://web.mit.edu
  • Run Once Pop Up to documentation (Hermes Article)
  • additional security configuration (need help from ITSS - Mike Halsall)

Software

  • VirusScan 8.7i
  • DO NOT INCLUDE: Adobe Flash Player
  • DO NOT INCLUDE: Adobe Reader
  • DO NOT INCLUDE: Firefox
  • DO NOT INCLUDE: Kerberos for Windows
  • Cisco Anywhere Connect VPN
  • VMware Tools
  • SysPrep (still on system)

VMware configuration

  • Use local host default printer from within VM (double check this works in Windows) - need stock answer for awareness
  • No Sharing or Write access directly to HOST machine (security concern) - need to document how to switch/add
  • VMX configuration file Generalization

Administrative Staff VM

NOTE: Updated version of this list is available in the Knowledge Base: http://kb.mit.edu/confluence/x/VoBYBg

  • Base VM plus
  • Audience: Administrative staff and Macintosh Exchange users

SysPrep Screens:

  • SAME as BASE

Windows Configuration

  • same as base
  • different custom background image
  • possible different first launch hermes article for business users

Software

  • base plus
  • SAPgui 7.10
  • BrioQuery 6.6
  • Kerberos for Windows (KfW 3.2.2)
  • Oracle Client 11g (not yet released)
  • IXOS Viewer (Livelink Imaging 9.5)
  • Adobe Reader 9.x (needed for IXOS viewing)
  • DO NOT INCLUDE: Firefox (they should have it in the host OS)
  • DO NOT INCLUDE: Adobe Shockwave Player (too many updates)
  • DO NOT INCLUDE: Adobe Flash Player (too many updates)
  • Sun JRE 1.6.x
  • Outlook 2007 (only Outlook) - make sure office updates working

VMware configuration

  • Use local host default printer from within VM (double check this works in Windows) - need stock answer for awareness
  • Mirrored Desktop and My Documents  - need warning about deleting from the VM deletes from host machine
  • VMX configuration file Generalization

Student VM

  • Base VM plus
  • Audience: Students using Linux, Macintosh or Windows host OS needing to run academic software packages

SysPrep Screens:

  • SAME as BASE

Windows Configuration

  • same as base
  • different custom background image
  • possible different first launch hermes article for students
  • Athena Cluster Printers configured

Software

  • base plus
  • Kerberos for Windows (KfW 3.2.2)
  • Adobe Reader 9.x (needed for IXOS viewing)
  • Firefox
  • Adobe Flash Player
  • Sun JRE 1.6.x
  • Student Matlab
  • Student Mathematica
  • OpenOffice
  • Java Development Environment
  • VLC (video player)
  • SecureCRT/FX 6.0
  • OpenAFS
  • Pidgin

VMware configuration

  • Use local host default printer from within VM (double check this works in Windows) - need stock answer for awareness
  • Mirrored Desktop and My Documents  - need warning about deleting from the VM deletes from host machine
  • VMX configuration file Generalization