2.6 Installing Components on Multiple Computers

A complete installation of GPA requires one GP Repository, one GPA Server, and at least one GPA Console. Install an additional GPA Console in each untrusted domain where you want to manage GPOs. To complete the installation successfully on multiple computers, install these components in the following order:

  1. GP Repository

  2. GPA Server

  3. GPA Console

If you want to install the GP Repository on a remote computer, follow the steps for installing the GPA Server, and select both the GP Repository and the GPA Server components from the setup program.

2.6.1 Installing the GP Repository

The GP Repository uses Microsoft SQL Server. If your organization has specific policies determining where you can install Microsoft SQL Server and who can administer it, these policies may affect where you install the GP Repository. For more information about installation requirements, see Section 2.3, Understanding Common GPA Setup Scenarios. For more information about where to install the GP Repository, see Section 1.2, How GPA Works.

During the setup process, the setup program prompts you for a Repository Authorization Code. The Repository Authorization Code is a unique identifier you create when you install the GP Repository. Each GPA Console must use the Repository Authorization Code to gain access to the GP Repository.

NOTE:

  • Record the Repository Authorization Code you define for later use. You must provide the Repository Authorization Code whenever you install a GPA Console to enable communication between the GP Repository and the GPA Console. For more information about the Repository Authorization Code, see Specifying the Repository Authorization Code.

  • When you install the GP Repository, you can specify either the default instance or a named instance for the Microsoft SQL Server.

The following procedure guides you through the process of installing the GP Repository on the local computer. Optionally, you can also install the GP Repository on a remote computer.

To install the GP Repository:

  1. Log on to the computer where you want to install the GP Repository with an account that has administrative rights in the domain as well as database administrator rights for Microsoft SQL Server. For more information about the requirements, see Section 2.2.1, GP Repository Requirements.

    NOTE:If you want to install the GP Repository on a remote computer, follow the steps for installing the GPA Server, and select both the GP Repository and the GPA Server components from the setup program.

  2. Close all open applications.

  3. Run the setup program from the GPA installation kit.

  4. Click Start Installation on the left menu.

  5. Follow the instructions in the setup program until you finish installing the GP Repository.

  6. To complete the installation, click Finish.

2.6.2 Installing the GPA Server

You must install the GPA Server in the same domain or a domain trusted by the domain where you installed the GP Repository and to export GPOs to AD. The GPA Server cannot operate across untrusted domains. For more information about where to install the GPA Server, see Section 1.2, How GPA Works.

Consider the following requirements:

  • You must configure the GPA Server with a GPA Security account. The GPA Server uses this account to access the GP Repository. For more information about the GPA Security account, see Section 2.4.1, Creating the GPA Security Account.

  • You can use only one GPA Server for each GP Repository. If you have more than one GP Repository, you must install a GPA Server for each GP Repository.

For more information about installation requirements, see Section 2.3, Understanding Common GPA Setup Scenarios.

To install the GPA Server:

  1. Log on to the computer where you want to install the GPA Server with an account that has administrative rights in the domain as well as database administrator rights for Microsoft SQL Server. For more information about the requirements, see Section 2.2.2, GPA Server Requirements.

  2. Close all open applications.

  3. Run the setup program from the GPA installation kit.

  4. Click Start Installation on the left menu.

  5. Follow the instructions in the setup program until you finish installing the GPA Server.

  6. To complete the installation, click Finish.

2.6.3 Installing the GPA Console

You can install the GPA Console on multiple computers to distribute Group Policy management tasks among several GPA users. If you want to manage GPOs in untrusted domains, install the GPA Console in each untrusted domain. For more information about where to install the GPA Console, see Section 1.2, How GPA Works.

Consider the following requirements:

  • Install the GPA Console on a computer in either the same domain or a domain trusted by the domain where you installed the GP Repository.

  • Configure the GPA Console with the Repository Authorization Code of the GP Repository you want the GPA Console to access.

For more information about installation requirements and installing on 64‑bit platforms, see Section 2.3, Understanding Common GPA Setup Scenarios.

To install the GPA Console:

  1. Log on to the computer where you want to install the GPA Console with an account that has local administrator rights on the computer where you want to install the GPA Console. You must also know the Repository Authorization Code for the GP Repository with which the GPA Console is going to communicate. For more information about the requirements, see Section 2.2.3, GPA Console Requirements.

  2. Close all open applications.

  3. Double-click the setup.exe file from the GPA installation kit.

  4. Follow the instructions in the setup program until you finish installing the GPA Console.

  5. To complete the installation, click Finish.