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Thank you for choosing Argon Managed PC Boot Agent (MBA), the world's best-
selling network preboot solution for PC networks. MBA is a package of multi-
protocol firmware and software tools that enables a network administrator to
remotely administer software, operating systems, and applications over the
network, eliminating the need to visit the client's desktop in person. MBA is a
universal, easy to configure preboot solution that is compatible with today's client
and network operating systems.
With MBA installed, your client PCs can boot from the network regardless of the
contents of their local hard drives or, in some cases, without any local drives at
all. MBA makes sure your users connect to the network every time.
MBA enables new and existing PCs to take advantage of preboot management
technology to perform operating system and application installations or upgrades
as well as desktop disaster recovery. MBA includes the Wired for Management
(WfM) standard Preboot eXecution Environment (PXE) protocol, but goes beyond
that to include legacy boot protocol support for networks such as NetWare and
UNIX. MBA is the most universal, pervasive preboot solution available on the
market today.
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To take advantage of current and emerging Managed PC applications, companies
need PCs that can cooperate in the management process. These PCs have
management-ready network interface cards (NICs) with functions implemented in
firmware, software, and hardware. While some features are applicable only to
newer PCs, many can be implemented on existing PCs through a software
download, flash ROM update, or ROM upgrade.
In selecting management-ready PC NICs, companies can smooth the transition to
a centrally-managed environment by choosing products that support the widest
range of industry-standard protocols, existing network administration services and
tools, and management applications. Wise choices will also help to future-proof
investments for what is sure to be a period of emerging technology developments
and rapid change.
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What It Does
The Argon Managed PC Boot Agent (MBA) enables a PC to boot from a remote
server even if the local operating system (OS) is unable to boot or is nonexistent.
It enables administrators to perform a wide range of preboot management tasks
such as virus scanning, backups, disaster recovery, reconfiguration, and
applications and OS installation and updates. MBA can automate a multicast boot,
bringing up hundreds of PCs simultaneously. All of these preboot processes are
transparent to the user, since the PC behaves as if the boot took place from the
local hard drive.
Benefits
MBA improves IS productivity and responsiveness as well as end-user satisfaction
by eliminating most of the need for on-site troubleshooting and disaster recovery.
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