CCTK Introduction

CCTK Introduction
A Dell technical white paper
Dell | Product Group
Muneer K
Md Sahid Shaik
Harsha Yalagach
CCTK Introduction
This document is for informational purposes only and may contain typographical errors and technical
inaccuracies. The content is provided as is, without express or implied warranties of any kind.
© 2012 Dell Inc. All rights reserved. Dell and its affiliates cannot be responsible for errors or omissions in
typography or photography. Dell, the Dell logo, and PowerEdge are trademarks of Dell Inc. Intel and Xeon are
registered trademarks of Intel Corporation in the U.S. and other countries. Microsoft, Windows, and Windows
Server are either trademarks or registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other
countries. Other trademarks and trade names may be used in this document to refer to either the entities claiming
the marks and names or their products. Dell disclaims proprietary interest in the marks and names of others.
October 2012| Version 1.0
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CCTK Introduction
Contents
1
Introduction ....................................................................................................... 4
2
Scope ............................................................................................................... 4
3
Configuring and Applying Bios settings using CLI ........................................................... 4
3.1
On Same system / Host machine ........................................................................... 4
3.2
On all platforms ............................................................................................... 6
4
Configuring and Applying Bios settings using GUI........................................................... 7
4.1
On Same system / Host machine ........................................................................... 8
4.2
On all platforms ............................................................................................. 11
4.3
Miscellaneous Features ..................................................................................... 13
4.3.1
Validate .................................................................................................... 13
4.3.2
Category Filter ............................................................................................ 14
4.3.3
Search ...................................................................................................... 15
4.3.4
Sort ......................................................................................................... 16
4.4
Export the Configured Settings ........................................................................... 17
4.5
Deploy the configured file (exe – Self Contained executable). ..................................... 18
5
4.5.1
Deploying Using SCCM ................................................................................... 19
4.5.2
Deploying Using SCCM & DCIP .......................................................................... 22
4.5.3
Deploying Using ACTIVE DIRECTORY .................................................................. 23
Additional resources ........................................................................................... 24
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CCTK Introduction
1 Introduction
Dell Client Configuration Toolkit (CCTK) software provides Bios Configuration capability to Dell client
systems such as OptiPlex, Latitude, and Dell Precision workstation. You can configure the client
systems using Command Line Interface (CLI.) or a Graphical User Interface (GUI). CCTK CLI is a
command line exe where you can run the commands or you can make a script out of these commands
and apply in multiple platforms. GUI is a user interface, where you can select the bios settings which
you want to apply and create the exe (self-contained executable) to apply on one or more platforms.
You can use CCTK in Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) environments and Microsoft Windows Preinstallation Environment (Windows PE), and on the Microsoft Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7
and Windows8 operating systems.
Note: CCTK GUI is not available for Linux environment.
Note: To Install CCTK, Please follow the below link.
http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/SOFTWARE/smcctk/2.1.1/IG/CCTK2.1.1IG.pdf
2 Scope
This white paper illustrates how can you configure and deploy Bios settings using CCTK CLI and GUI.
This document will not cover in detail some specific tokens like TPM , BootOrder etc.,
3 Configuring and Applying Bios settings using CLI
Invoke CCTK CLI
Go to Start  All Programs  Dell  CCTK  CCTK Command Prompt
OR
Open Command Prompt and move to the CCTK installer directory
3.1 On Same system / Host machine
1. To configure Bios settings first try to get the help, this tells the bios options applicable in your
system.
Command:
cctk –h
Example:
Please see the below image...
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CCTK Introduction
2. To know about particular Bios option (description and possible values) use the below command
cctk –h <option name>
Example:
Please see the below image…
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CCTK Introduction
Note: Here the ‘+’ symbol after the Argument/Value tells the applicable values on this
machine. In the above example the Argument/Value ‘selectdays’ is not applicable on this
machine so no ‘+’ symbol added. You can’t configure ‘selectdays’ on this machine.
3. Use the below syntax to configure bios settings
cctk --optionname = <value>
If the system has admin or system password set, then you need to provide the password as well.
cctk --optionname= <value> --vasetuppwd=<password>
cctk --optionname= <value> --vasyspwd=<password>
Example:
cctk --autoon=weekdays
cctk --autoon=weekdays --valsetuppwd=adminpassword
3.2 On all platforms
1. To replicate all your host settings in other platforms, you have to capture the settings in a file
and then apply those setting in all other platforms.
To capture your host machine bios settings (configured by CCTK) use the below command.
cctk –o filename
where the filename is any file name as given in below example.
Example:
cctk –o config.ini
Now you can take config.ini file and apply this file in other platform using the command..
cctk –i config.ini
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CCTK Introduction
This command will apply all bios settings available in config.ini file to that platform.
Note: To apply with more Bios options, which may be applicable in other platforms, you can open
this config.ini file and add more bios options, and then run the above command.
To configure remotely on other platforms using Active Directory or SCCM or DCIP or some other
management tools,
You should write a small script with the command (cctk –i config.ini) and run this script.
Note: You have to give cctk.exe path properly. To do that go to the CCTK installer directory
(Example: C:\Program Files\Dell\CCTK) and copy this entire directory (including sub-directories)
into a some shared location. If the platform (where you are running this script) is 32bit then the
path should be C:\Program Files\Dell\CCTK\X86\cctk.exe else if the platform is 64bit then the path
should be C:\Program Files\Dell\CCTK\X86_64\cctk.exe.
Note: Similarly deploying BIOS configuration on other platforms can also be done easily using GUI
via SCE (self-contained executable). For more information please see the “Configuring and
Applying Bios Settings using GUI”
4 Configuring and Applying Bios settings using GUI
Using GUI you can configure BIOS settings and export the configured setting to a file to apply
on Target platform.
1. Launch the GUI from Start Menu or Desktop shortcut. It shows the Home screen as shown
below:
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CCTK Introduction
2. Click the Create Package, it shows the below screen
As shown in the above screen CCTK GUI allows you to configure BIOS settings in three different Ways.
1. Mult-Platform File
If you want to Deploy bios settings on all Platforms without caring about Host machine settings
then choose this option.
2. This System’s File
If you want to replicate your host machine bios settings in all other systems (OR) if you want to
consider all the host settings and want to modify or add more bios settings then choose this option.
3. A Saved File
If you have any saved .ini or .cctk file and want to modify or add more bios settings then choose
this option and browse to select the file.
4.1 On Same system / Host machine
This section explains how can you easily configure and apply bios settings in Host machine. This
section helps to know the applicable settings in Host machine and the present values of those
settings.
1. Follow the steps mentioned in section /Configuring and Applying Bios settings using GUI/ before
proceeding with next step.
2. Select the “This System’s File” button and then click “Next” Button , it shows the below
screen
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CCTK Introduction
3. In the above screen the “Green” colored rectangle shows the settings of Host machine, hence
the Present Value column shows their current values. The Red color rectangle shows the
values, which are not present (or) not available in this machine. Hence Value to Set column
shows Not Specified and Present value column is empty.
a. If you want to replicate this machine settings to other machines then you can directly
export these options (How to export is explained in session (4.4 Export the Configured
Settings))
b. If you want to modify these settings and want to add more Bios Options then click
“Edit” Button, which is present in right corner of the GUI (you can observe the red
color marked ellipse)
i. After clicking the Edit button all the bios options will be opened for editing.
Please see the below picture.
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CCTK Introduction
ii. Select the appropriate value from the combo box as shown in the screen (red
color)
iii. In Addition to Current System Bios setting, if you want to add more options
then click the Options, where the Value to Set column says “Not specified”and
Apply Setting column check box is unchecked. Change the values as show
below
Note: In the above picture if you change the asfmode value to “on” then
automatically Apply Setting column will be checked.
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CCTK Introduction
4. Miscellaneous Features
To configure easily some friendly features are added in GUI. Please read the section
“3.3 Miscellaneous Features.”
5. Export the Configured settings
After completing the steps 1, 2 and 3 for all desired settings you need to export these
configured Bios settings to a file. This file will contain all Bios settings configured by
you, which you can use to Deploy on target client systems. To know how to export
please read the session “3.4 Export the Configured Settings.”
6. Deploy the configured file.
After exporting the file (as mentioned in above step), you have to deploy this file to
the desired platforms. To know how to deploy please read the session “3.5 Deploy the
configured file (exe - self-contained executable)”
4.2 On all platforms
This section explains how can you configure and apply bios settings in all target platforms. In this
page, Value to Set column shows as Not Specified for every Option and you can’t find the
Present Value column, which shows present values of Host settings as specified in Section 4.1 On
Same system. This page mainly targeted to multiplatforms so you can configure all the desired
settings, which may applicable in all or most of the target platforms.
Note: if you want to know the applicable Options in host machine use Validate feature.
1. Follow the steps mentioned in section “Configuring and Applying Bios Settings using GUI”
before proceeding with next step.
2. Select the “Multi-platform File” button and then click “Next” Button , it shows the below
screen
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CCTK Introduction
3. To modify these settings click “Edit” Button, which is present in right corner of the GUI (you
can observe the red color marked ellipse)
i. After clicking the Edit button all below bios options will be opened for editing.
Please see the below picture.
ii. Select the appropriate value from the combo box as showed in the screen (red
color)
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CCTK Introduction
Note: In the above picture if you change the forcepxe value to disable then
Value to Set column shows disable instead of Not Specified and automatically
Apply setting column will be checked.
4. Miscellaneous Features
To configure easily some friendly features are added in GUI. Please read the section
“4.3 Miscellaneous Features.”
5. Export the Configured settings
After completing the steps 1, 2 and 3 for all desired settings you need to export these
configured Bios settings to a file. This file will contain all Bios settings configured by
you, which you can use to Deploy on desired platforms. To know how to export please
read the section “4.4 Export the Configured Settings.”
6. Deploy the configured file.
After exporting the file (as mentioned in above step), you have to deploy this file to
the desired platforms. To know how to deploy please read the section “4.5 Deploy the
configured file (exe - self-contained executable)”
4.3 Miscellaneous Features
4.3.1 Validate
This feature allows to compare All CCTK supported Bios Options (listed in GUI) with Host Bios
Options and Values. As show in below picture click the Validate button (red color circled). The
result will be shown in the GUI as follows..
If the Option is not supported in Host machine, that option will be greyed out in GUI. The “Value
to Set” combo box will show all the applicable values with green tick mark and all the values not
applicable in the Host machine will be shown with red cross mark. Please see the below picture for
more information.
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CCTK Introduction
In this above image the first option (flashcachemodule) is greyed out because this option is not
supported in host machine. The second option camera is supported and the value “enable” also
supported so you can see green tick mark in Value to set column and Status column. The third
option embnic1 at present had a value onwithiscisi, which is not applicable so it is showing red
cross mark on both Status and Value to Set columns. The fourth option embsataraid has so many
values in which ata , off, ahci, raid are applicable in the host machine hence green tick mark but
remaining values are not supported and hence appears with red cross mark.
4.3.2 Category Filter
If you want to filter categories (or) if you want to configure some particular categories settings (or)
if you want to configure category wise one after the other then you can filter categories by clicking
category column as shown in below picture.
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CCTK Introduction
In the above picture if you select Category column (showed in red rectangle) it lists all the
available categories. All categories will be listed with checkbox in front of it. You can select the
categories you want by clicking the checkbox. In the above picture I selected four categories so if
you click outside category column then your view will be filtered and you can see only selected
categories and their bios options.
4.3.3 Search
This feature is helpful to search a particular option in the GUI. In the below picture we are trying
to find mediacard option as entered in search box. If you press enter it shows other options with
the same word. You can keep on pressing the enter button till you find the desired option. The
searched option will be shown in yellow shaded color as shown in below picture.
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CCTK Introduction
4.3.4 Sort
You can sort any column by clicking that column header. It helps to find the options easily because
all options are in sorted order. You can sort the Apply Settings column so you can get all the
selected settings in one place. In the below picture on column header has an upward pointing
arrow head, which tells that values are sorted in ascending order.
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CCTK Introduction
4.4 Export the Configured Settings
After configuring the settings you have to export to a file to apply those settings in host machine
or in other platforms. You can do this in two ways one is exporting to a .ini/.cctk file and other
is exporting to .exe (SCE - self-contained executable…). The first button as shown below “Export
Configuration” will export the configured settings to a .ini/.cctk file. This you can run using
“cctk –i “ command on the target machine. The second button “Export Configuration .exe” will
export the settings in an executable format. While exporting using this Option, it will ask for
Target Platform’s password information. If you have set any password (setuppwd/syspwd) on
Target Platforms, provide the password here else click OK button (Note: if you want to provide
password while running the exe, just click OK button). This exe can be used to run on one or
more target platforms. How to deploy this exe can be learned in the section “4.5 Deploy the
configured file (exe – self-contained executable).” The third button is “Export Report”, which
will save your configured settings in an html format.
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CCTK Introduction
Click the desired export button and save the file in desired location. Export Configuration .exe
Option will save two files, one is exe for windows and shell file for linux.
4.5 Deploy the configured file (exe – Self Contained executable).
We are going to use the below softwares to deploy CCTK SCE (exported exe in above sections).
SCCM (System Center Configuration Manager)
System Center Configuration Manager is system management software product by Microsoft for
managing large groups of Windows based computer systems. For more information please follow the
link below.
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/gg682041.aspx
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/System_Center_Configuration_Manager
DCIP(Dell Client Integration Pack)
Dell Client Integration Pack (DCIP) is an easy to use GUI based tool to configure and deploy your Dell
client systems. The DCIP integrated directly into the Configuration Manager console. It eliminates the
need for command line tools and scripts normally used. It also adds new functionality for remote
management using AMT, Intel’s out-of-band technology. The features include:



Importing Dell Client Driver-Packages.
OMCI and CCTK Integration.
Dell Warranty Tracking.
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CCTK Introduction

Intel AMT out-of-band management features.
For more information please follow the link below.
DCIP 2.0 for SCCM 2007:
http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/SOFTWARE/smdcip/2_0/index.htm
DCIP 3.0 for SCCM 2012:
http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/SOFTWARE/smdcip/3_0/index.htm
Active Directory (AD)
Active Directory is a database that keeps track of all the user accounts and passwords in your
organization. It allows you to store your user accounts and passwords in one protected location,
improving your organization's security.
Active Directory is subdivided into one or more domains. A domain is a security boundary. Each domain
is hosted by a server computer called a domain controller (DC). A domain controller manages all of the
user accounts and passwords for a domain.
You can deploy applications using Group Policies. Group Policy is a feature of the Microsoft Windows
NT family of operating systems that control the working environment of user accounts and computer
accounts. Group Policy provides the centralized management and configuration of operating systems,
applications, and users' settings in an Active Directory environment.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Active_Directory
http://www.doecirc.energy.gov/documents/MS_Active_Directory_Design_Guide.pdf
http://www.softwareshelf.com/news/printmanager/tips/Deploying_Applications_with_Group_Policy
.pdf
4.5.1 Deploying Using SCCM
To Deploy the CCTK SCE using Configuration Manager (SCCM), follow the below steps:
I.
I.
Create a Pacakage
II.
Create a Program
III.
Advertisement to run CCTK SCE program
IV.
Create and update distribution points
V.
Initiate Client Action Using the Configuration Manager
Create a Pacakage
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CCTK Introduction
1. Launch the Microsoft Configuration Manager Console.
2. Navigate to component Management > Software Distribution > packages.
3. Right-click Packages and click New, then Package.
4. In the New Package Wizard, specify the Package name (example CCTK SCE)
5. In Data Source Page, Specify the Source directory where the CCTK SCE files are stored.
6. In Data Access Page, select Access the distribution folder through common
ConfigMgr package Share
7. In Distribution Settings Page, select the Sending Priority as High
8. In Reporting Page, select Use the package properites for status MIF matching
9. In Security Page, Specify the Security rights
10. Verify the selected settings in Summary page and Click on Next
11. The new package was created successfully screen will be shown.
II.
Create a Program
1. In the Configuration Manager console, navigate to System Center Configuration
Manager  Site Database  Computer Management  Software Distribution 
Package  <package name>.
2. Right-click Programs, point to New, and then click Program.
3. In the New Program Wizard, specify the Program name. Browse and specify the
command line as SCE file name followed by /nolog option.
For example: cctk_sce /nolog
4. In the Requirements Page, select This program can run on any platform option.
5. In the Environment Page, select the desired Options
6. In Advance Page, retain the default selections.
7. In Windows Installer Page, retain the default selections
8. In MOM Maintenance Page, retain the default selections.
9. In Summary page, verify the settings given.
10. Next The New Program Wizard completed successfully screen will be shown.
III.
Advertisement to run CCTK SCE program
1. In the Configuration Manager console, navigate to System Center Configuration
Manager > Site Database > Computer Management > Software Distribution.
2. Right-click Advertisements, point to New, and then click Advertisement.
3. Specify an Advertisement name , Package Name , Program Name ( for CCTK SCE) and
Collection.
4. When you click Next, Configuration Manager Warning Dialog will be shown because of
no distribution points. Click Yes to proceed.
5. In Schedule page, provide the schedule information.
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CCTK Introduction
6. In Distribution Points, Spefify the distribution points.
7. In Security Page, Specify the security rights.
8. Verify the selected settings in Summary page
9. Next The New Advertisement Wizard completed successfully screen will be shown.
IV.
Create and update distribution points
Creating distribution points
1. In the Configuration Manager console, navigate to System Center Configuration
Manager > Site Database > Computer Management > Software Distribution > Package
> CCTK SCE > <Distribution Points>.
2. Right-click Distribution Points, and then click New Distribution Points.
3. In Copy Package, select the site Server
Update Distribution Points
1. In the Configuration Manager console, navigate to System Center Configuration
Manager > Site Database > Computer Management > Software Distribution > Package
> CCTK SCE > <Distribution Points>.
2. Right-click Distribution Points, and then click Update Distribution Points.
3. Confirm Update Distribution Points Dilaog will be shown. Click Yes to continue.
Distribution Points are updated.
V.
Initiate Client Action Using the Configuration Manager
Next initiate the Client action on the target client systems to see the advertised programs. For
initiating the Client actions on clients, use the following steps:
For Windows 7 /Vista Operating systems:
1. Go to Control Panel.
2. Select View by Large icons.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Select Configuration Manager , Right click and select Properties
On the Configuration Manager Properties window, select Actions tab.
Select Machine Policy Retrieval & Evaluation Cycle and click Initiate Actions.
The below dialog will be shown.
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CCTK Introduction
7. Click OK
8. Select Software Inventory Cycle and Click Initiate Action
9. The below dialog will be shown
10. Click OK
11. Select Software Update Deployment Evaluation Cycle and Click Initiate Action
12. The below dialog will be shown
13. Click OK
14. The above cycles initiate the actions on the target systems and display the pop-up.
15. Click Run
4.5.2 Deploying Using SCCM & DCIP
To Deploy the CCTK SCE using DCIP & Configuration Manager 2007, follow the below steps:
1. Launch Configuration Manager 2007 console.
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CCTK Introduction
2. On the Configuration Manager console, navigate to Site Database -> Computer Management ->
Software Distribution-> Packages.
3. Right Click on “Packages”, and then click Dell -> Import Dell CCTK Package.
4. Click Browse on the Import Wizard and navigate to the location of the CCTK SCE file and select
it.
5. Click OK and then Click Close to create the package.
After the package is created, distribute the package.
To Deploy the CCTK SCE using DCIP & Configuration Manager 2012, follow the below steps:
1. Launch Configuration Manager 2012.
2. On the Configuration Manager console, navigate to Software Library -> Overview ->
Application Management -> Packages.
3. Right Click on “Packages”, and then click Dell Client Integration Pack -> Import Dell CCTK SCE
Package.
4. Click Browse on the Import Wizard and navigate to the location of the CCTK SCE file and select
it.
5. Select your distribution point from the list available under Select the Distribution Points to
Distribute Content to distribute the package automatically once it is created.
6. Click OK and follow the onscreen instructions to create a CCTK SCE Package.
After the wizard completes, the CCTK SCE Software Package is created under Packages -> Dell Client
Packages.
You can associate these packages with task sequences for pre-OS Deployment or use them as software
package during post-OS configuration.
4.5.3 Deploying Using ACTIVE DIRECTORY
1. Get the exe (Self-contained executable - SCE)
2. Copy the exe (SCE) to a UNC share.
a) Make sure that the share is accessible by the members of the OU you are
going to assign it to.
b) If you deploy by computers, make sure that everyone or authenticated users
have read permissions to the share.
3. Create Group Policy.
a) Create a Group Policy Object to the OU you are deploying it to.
b) Right-click, select New Package. Navigate to the UNC location where the MSI
is stored.
c) Use Assigned.
4. Testing
You need to wait until replication has taken place and test on the computers that
are a part of the OU you assigned it to. Check the log generated by exe (SCE).
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CCTK Introduction
5 Additional resources
1. Download latest version of CCTK from Support.dell.com or ftp.dell.com
2. CCTK on Dell Tech Center (you can find all documents, whitepapers and videos here)
http://en.community.dell.com/techcenter/systems-management/w/wiki/1952.dell-clientconfiguration-toolkit.aspx
3. CCTK Documentation
http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/SOFTWARE/smcctk/
4. Enabling the TPM with ConfigMgr (SCCM) and CCTK
http://en.community.dell.com/techcenter/extras/m/white_papers/20209083.aspx
5. CCTK Videos
http://en.community.dell.com/techcenter/m/videos/20105740.aspx
http://en.community.dell.com/techcenter/m/videos/20105105.aspx
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