SQL Server Magazine

Supporting Onsite Visits
Even the most widely traveled mobile users sometimes show up at the office. You have several options for letting visiting mobile users connect directly to the network. The most common choices are docking stations, PC Card network adapters, and wireless adapters.

Docking stations contain NICs and other components that let users easily work with a direct connection to a full-size monitor, keyboard, and mouse. A user simply attaches the laptop to a docking station through a cable connection, then boots the laptop. Using a docking station once required multiple hardware profiles on portable computers, and administrators needed to teach users how to load the right profile when they booted their laptops. Because Win2K's Plug and Play (PnP) feature automatically senses the presence of the docking station, most Win2K computers don't require this step. However, a legacy laptop might require a user to load a hardware profile. To create a profile, right-click My Computer and choose Properties from the context menu. Go to the Hardware tab and click Hardware Profiles. Click Copy to copy the current profile, and name the new profile Docking (or a similarly self-explanatory name). Then, enable or disable devices as necessary for the new profile. (For information about creating hardware profiles on Windows NT systems, see Michael D. Reilly, "Configuring Hardware Profiles," September 1997, InstantDoc ID 660.)

PC Card network adapters for portable computers are often handy because users can simply plug their systems into any available RJ-45 jack and log on. However, PC Cards are expensive, and the number of cards that end up lost is amazing. In my office, I've attached the cards to the end of the cable that comes from the jack, so the cards stay in the office rather than in the portable's slot. I use duct tape to keep each card with its cable. (I love duct tape—it's useful for so many things.)

Wireless network connections are becoming extremely popular and cost about the same as a PC Card. The best technology is radio frequency (RF), which is usually more powerful and more reliable than infrared (IR). Install an access point to act as a bridge between the wireless and wired network nodes. Then, provide a wireless connector to mobile users who visit the office.

Keeping Communication Flowing
Your rate of success when managing mobile users depends on two important factors: information and communication. Keep detailed records for every laptop that your company owns. This data should include obvious information such as the system's model and serial number, as well as detailed information about components and installed software. Also provide detailed instructions to your mobile users. Make sure those users know which procedures you insist on (e.g., security precautions) and which procedures are forbidden (e.g., which files are prohibited for offline use). Keep these two factors in mind whenever you deal with mobile users, and a good portion of your administrative headaches will hit the road.

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