IRMA (Inet Remote Management Application)

What is IRMA

IRMA (Inet Remote Manager Application) is a suite of programs to allow system administrator to update and maintain software automatically on many client PCs.  It also allows for data distribution and executing of commands remotely.  It does not supply the interactive remote screen view and remote keyboard/mouse control.

When to Use IRMA

Use IRMA if you want to update or maintain software at many Windows PCs or you want to distribute files frequently to some PCs automatically from a central server.

What is Required to Use IRMA

You need a Windows 2000 or NT server to host the files and the server programs.  You need to run IrmaClient on all the client PCs.

How to License IRMA

The licence specifies the number of servers (normally one) and a separate licence specify the number of clients allowed.

Overview

IRMA allows you to keep one central “master” copy of software packages, and have all your client PC’s to automatically update their versions from the master copy.  IRMA is often distributed with Winet but is designed to be used for almost any data or software that needs to be distributed over a WAN.  Multiple applications can be managed from one server.  Regional http servers may be used to ease the load on your WAN connections by acting as local file servers to PCs in their vicinity (LAN).

You may define multiple images to tailor the master copy for different groups of users.  Each group (e.g. Finance or Production) will then have their own image.  It is also possible to set up regional http servers at various locations to allow clients to obtain files from the closest server.

IRMA uses a “pull” model to distribute updates where the clients take the initiative to pull updates from the server.  The other side is the “push” model where the server pushes the updates to the clients.  The “push” model allows the system administrator to address each individual PC by sending files or commands immediately.  The “push” model does not work very well through NAT (Network Address Translation) routers, since this hides PCs from the server.  IRMA includes the “push” option also to make selected updates faster.

IRMA Specifications

• IRMA (Inet Remote Management Application) is an optional module.
• It supplies automated updates and file distribution.
• It allows distributed file servers over a WAN.
• Updates are spread over time to avoid peak traffic.
• Remote command execution.
• Supports third party software also.
• Maintain multiple images (packages or applications) for multiple types of clients from one central point.
• Uses HTTP as the most robust protocol for file distribution.
• Firewall and NAT friendly.
• Built-in security.