Apple ARD31 manual Hardware Reports, Computer information fields

Computer information fields

Administrators can view up to four organization-specific computer information fields, such as asset tags or AppleCare contract details. You can set these fields centrally from your computer and include them in your System Overview report or computer lists, along with other system attributes.

Technology Overview 18

Apple Remote Desktop 3

Hardware Reports

Hardware reports cover details on hard drives, network interfaces, memory, USB and FireWire devices, and PCI cards.

System Overview. This report provides information about a client’s processor and memory, system software, AirPort setup, attached devices, displays, network settings, Lights Out Management configurations, system preferences, printer lists, and key software attributes. The report can be used to identify problems, verify system config- urations before installing new software, or determine how many devices of a particular type, such as scanners, are being used in a particular lab.

Storage. Information about the client’s internal hard disks includes the hardware itself, the volumes on the disk, file system information, and journaling information.

Network Interfaces. This report provides information for all active and inactive network interfaces, including detailed network input, network output, and Ethernet statistics from the client computer. Use this information to identify network errors or faulty network equipment, troubleshoot network performance, and query the network settings of client computers.

Memory. Specific information about the memory (RAM) installed in the client system includes each memory module’s size, type, speed, and slot location. Memory reports can be used to manage computer resources, troubleshoot hardware, or determine which client computer can best handle a memory-intensive application or task.

FireWire Devices. Information on FireWire devices connected to the client computer includes the manufacturer, model, speed, software version, and firmware version for each device.

USB Devices. Information on Universal Serial Bus devices connected to the client computer includes product name and ID, vendor name and ID, speed, and bus power for each device.

PCI Cards. This report provides specific information about the PCI cards—such as card name, type, and vendor ID—installed in a client computer, as well as the card’s slot location.

Network Performance. This test measures and troubleshoots the communication between client computers and the administrator system. Use the report to help identify reasons for network communication problems that could affect Apple Remote Desktop. For example, if there are issues copying items to a particular client computer, the Network Performance report can isolate the problem to a particular cable or hub.

Administration Settings. This report shows which Apple Remote Desktop 3 adminis- tration privileges are enabled or disabled. These privileges can also be found in the Sharing or Remote Desktop pane of System Preferences on individual client computers.