LANDESK Management Suite 9.6 Architecture - Overview

Applies to LANDesk Management Suite 9.6 (The information here may also generally apply to other versions of LANDesk Management Suite. Verify before planning any architecture)

LANDESK Management Suite and LANDESK Security Suite provide essential IT services to many organizations from simple "kiosk" machines to the CEO's laptop; from mission-critical servers to smartphones. It is often a keystone to many services provided by the IT department. Because of this, it is important that LANDESK perform well and be able to accomplish the tasks the each organization needs to get done in a manner that they can plan for and expect. LANDESK Software is constantly working to make sure that we can deliver a product that can do all of this for our customers. A critical component in the overall solution is the architecting of the LANDESK "environment". The servers, equipment and software that provide various services or functionality key to a smooth running LANDESK solution. When architected properly things go much smoother and you avoid the headaches that can come when every task requires careful consideration to not upset the balance that is just barely holding together.

LANDESK Architecture

There are several distinct services or functionalities that may be required or used with LANDESK Management Suite (LDMS). These can include some or all of the following:

• LANDESK Core Server
  • This server includes IIS which provides many key web services
• Database Server (MS SQL or Oracle)
• Mobile Device Management Server (MDM)
• LANDESK Cloud Services Appliance (CSA)
• Remote Management Console
• Preferred Servers
• PXE Representatives

There are other services or servers that can be used depending on the requirements, such as a Terminal Server to allow access to the Remote Management Console or a dedicated reporting server for custom reports and so forth.

Software Requirements

Core Server

The LANDESK Management Suite Core Server is now fully 64-bit, so it cannot be run on any 32-bit systems.

• Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2 with Service Pack 1, 64-bit (Supported for in-place upgrades only
• Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2 with Update 1, 64-bit

The install language of the Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2 should match the language LANDESK install language and the language of all Remote Consoles.

Important: Upgrading the Core Server Operating System over an existing Windows installation is not supported. A "clean" installation is required

Database Server

The following database systems are supported:

Microsoft SQL Server

• Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Express (Free to use, but limited)
• Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Standard/Enterprise
• Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Express (Free to use, but limited)
• Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Standard/Enterprise
• Microsoft SQL Server 2014 Standard/Enterprise

Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Express is only supported if doing an in-place upgrade of an existing "all-in-one" Core Server/DB. Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Express can be installed during the LANDESK Core Server setup if needed.

Important Note: Microsoft SQL Express editions are severly limited in CPU usage, memory usage and total database size. This can cause performance problems and even complete failure if those limits are exceeded. It should only be used in very small environments or test labs.

Oracle 11g

Oracle 11g is supported for in-place upgrades only with Windows Server 2012 R2 as the Core Server.

• Oracle 11g Release 2 (11.2)
  • The Core Server and remote consoles should have the Oracle 12c client installed

For more information about Oracle please see: Upgrading Oracle Client to 64-bit (prior to core upgrade)

Selecting a Database Server

When considering what database server software to use, many considerations come into play such as existing licenses, systems and organizational experience and knowledge. LANDESK Management Suite supports both Microsoft SQL and Oracle. However in independent (non-LANDESK) testing of database systems, Microsoft SQL has been found to have better performance for the type of database access and use employed by LANDESK. Therefore, LANDESK Software recommends Microsoft SQL Server for the best experience.

Critical Note: LANDESK Mobility Manager (LDMO) does not currently support Oracle. If you intend to manage mobile devices, such as phones and tablets now or in the future, you must use Microsoft SQL Server

Remote Console

The LANDESK Managment Console is installed as part of the Core Server installation. Additional Remote Consoles can be installed as well to provide access to the LANDESK Management Suite/Security Suite tools and features. For LANDESK Management Suite 9.6, the Remote Console can only be installed and run on 64-bit systems.

Supported Operating Systems:

• Windows XP Professional SP3 x64
• Windows 7 Business, Enterprise and Ultimate Editions x64
• Windows 8 Enterprise x64
• Windows 8.1 x64
• Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1
• Windows Server 2012 x64
• Windows Server 2012 R2 x64

Supported Client Platforms

For information on supported client platforms see: Supported Platforms and Compatibility Matrix for LANDESK Management Suite

Hardware Recommendations

Generic Guidelines

The following are some generic guidelines to get started. More details based on environment size listed below.

Additional Guidelines by Environment Size

Up to 750 Devices

All LANDESK Services on a single server

• Dual-core, 64-bit processor
• 4GB RAM
• 100/1000 Mb Network Adapter
• 72 GB of free disk space on 10K RPM or faster drives or arrays.
  • Drive/Array configuration
    • One drive or array for the operating system, LANDESK Management Suite application and database application
    • One drive or array for the database and database logs

750 to 1,500 Devices

All LANDESK Services on a single server

• Quad-core, 64-bit processor. (Preferably two physical quad-core processors)
• 4+ GB RAM
• 100/1000 Mb Network Adapter
• 72 GB of free disk space on 10K RPM of faster drives or arrays
  • Drive/Array configuration
    • One drive or array for the operating system, LANDESK Management Suite application and database application.
• One drive or array for the database and database logs. RAID 0, 5, 10, or an equivalent/faster redundant storage technology is recommended.

1,500 - 3,000 Devices

All LANDESK Services on a single server

• Two Quad-core, 64-bit processors (8 CPU cores total)
• 8 - 12+ GB of RAM or more
• Gigabit network adapter
• 3 storage arrays with 72 GB of free space each on 15K or faster drives
  • One array for the Operating System. RAID 0, 1, 5 or faster
  • One array for LANDESK Management Suite software. RAID 0, 5, 10 or an equivalent/faster technology
  • One array for the database and database logs. RAID 0, 5, 10 or an equivalent/faster redundant storage technology

A LANDESK system for 1,500 to 3,000 devices all running on a single server could see performance issues with disk I/O depending on the use and configuration of both LANDESK and the storage arrays. Some tuning may be needed. As noted above, the arrays should be on separate spindles (physical disk) to reduce any resource conflicts.

3,000 to 5,000 Devices

LANDESK Core Server and Database Server on separate servers

The Core Server

• Two quad-core, 64-bit processors (8 CPU cores total)
• 4 - 8 GB RAM
• Gigabit Network Adapter
• 2 arrays with 72 GB of free space per array on 15K RPM or faster drives
  • The operating system should be on an array of RAID 0, 1 or an equivalent/faster technology
  • LANDESK Management Suite software should be on an array of RAID 0, 5, 10 or an equivalent/faster redundant storage technology

The Database Server

• Quad-core, 64-bit processors (4 CPU cores total)
• 8 GB to 12 GB of RAM
• Gigabit Network Adapter
• Three arrays with 72 GB of free space per array on 15K RPM or faster drives
  • The operating system array should be RAID 0, 1 or an equivalent/faster technology
  • One array for the database. RAID 0, 5, 10 or an equivalent/faster redundant storage technology
  • One array for the database logs, RAID 0 or an equivalent/faster redundant storage technology

5,000 to 8,000 Devices

LANDESK Core Server and Database Server on separate servers

The Core Server

• Three - four quad-core, 64-bit processors (12 - 16 CPU cores total)
• 4 - 8 GB RAM
• Gigabit Network Adapter
• 2 arrays with 72 GB of free space per array on 15K RPM or faster drives
  • The operating system should be on an array of RAID 0, 1 or an equivalent/faster technology
  • LANDESK Management Suite software should be on an array of RAID 0, 5, 10 or an equivalent/faster redundant storage technology

The Database Server

• Two quad-core, 64-bit processors (8 CPU cores total)
• 12 GB to 16 GB of RAM
• Gigabit Network Adapter
• Three arrays with 72 GB of free space per array on 15K RPM or faster drives
  • The operating system array should be RAID 0, 1 or an equivalent/faster technology
  • One array for the database. RAID 0, 5, 10 or an equivalent/faster redundant storage technology
  • One array for the database logs, RAID 0 or an equivalent/faster redundant storage technology

8,000 to 12,000 Devices

LANDESK Core Server and Database Server on separate servers

Important: For LANDESK Management Suite installations of this size, further tuning and design assistance from LANDESK Professional Services or from a valued Expert Solution Provider (ESP) may be required.

The Core Server

• Four quad-core, 64-bit processors (16 CPU cores total)
• 16+ GB RAM
• Gigabit Network Adapter
• 2 arrays with 72 GB of free space per array on 15K RPM or faster drives
  • The operating system should be on an array of RAID 0, 1 or an equivalent/faster technology
  • LANDESK Management Suite software should be on an array of RAID 0, 5, 10 or an equivalent/faster redundant storage technology

The Database Server

• 3+ quad-core premium 64-bit processors (12+ CPU cores total)
• 16 GB to 24 GB of RAM
• Gigabit Network Adapter
• Three arrays with 72 GB of free space per array on 15K RPM or faster drives
  • The operating system array should be RAID 0, 1 or an equivalent/faster technology
  • One array of four or more disks for the database. RAID 0, 5, 10 or an equivalent/faster redundant storage technology
  • One array for the database logs, RAID 0 or an equivalent/faster redundant storage technology
• Microsoft SQL Server Enterprise Edition is recommended for environments of this size. Consult Microsoft for a detailed SQL Server Edition comparison.

12,000 to 16,000 Devices

LANDESK Core Server and Database Server on separate servers

Important: For LANDESK Management Suite installations of this size, further tuning and design assistance from LANDESK Professional Services or from a valued Expert Solution Provider (ESP) may be required.

The Core Server

• Four quad-core, 64-bit processors (16 CPU cores total)
• 16+ GB RAM
• Gigabit Network Adapter
• 2 arrays with 72 GB of free space per array on 15K RPM or faster drives
  • The operating system should be on an array of RAID 0, 1 or an equivalent/faster technology
  • LANDESK Management Suite software should be on an array of RAID 0, 5, 10 or an equivalent/faster redundant storage technology

The Database Server

• Four quad-core premium, 64-bit processors (16 CPU cores total)
• 16 GB to 32 GB of RAM
• Gigabit Network Adapter
• Three arrays with 72 GB of free space per array on 15K RPM or faster drives
  • The operating system array should be RAID 0, 1 or an equivalent/faster technology
  • One array of four or more disks for the database. RAID 0, 5, 10 or an equivalent/faster redundant storage technology
  • One array for the database logs, RAID 0 or an equivalent/faster redundant storage technology
• Microsoft SQL Server Enterprise Edition is strongly recommended for environments of this size

More than 16,000 Devices

For LANDESK Management Suite installations of this size, additional tuning and design assistance from LANDESK Professional Services or from a valued Expert Solution Provider (ESP) is strongly recommended.