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Symantec Ghost Solution Suite (GSS) Frequently Asked Questions

Symantec Ghost Solution Suite (SGSS) Frequently Asked Questions

This selection of Symantec Ghost Solution Suite FAQs covers only a fraction of information usually requested by GSS users. For detailed feature listing and in-depth program information, please refer to the Ghost Solution Suite page.

Question Answer
What is Symantec Ghost Solution Suite (GSS) version 2.5 and what are its core concepts? Symantec Ghost Solution Suite is the imaging, deployment and migration software developed by Symantec that is used in a wide range of industries and companies, to create and deploy images, and to ensure safe hardware and software retirement.

Symantec Ghost Solution Suite features remote administration and management, user, profile, settings, files and OS migration tools, single centralized management console, hot imaging features, DeployAnywhere technology, hardware and software inventories, data wiper, multicasting technology for saving bandwidth and many more facilities that are described in more detail on this website.

Question Answer
Why should I upgrade Ghost Solution Suite to version 2.5? There are multiple new features added in the last version of Ghost Solution Suite version 2.5 so that you may consider upgrading:
  • Support for Windows Vista, including improved stability and identification of migration gaps
  • Now GSS 2.5 features a single centralized management and administration console for all
    migration and management tasks
  • Speedy, safe and hardware-independent migration thanks to the DeployAnywhere technology by Symantec
  • Vastly simplified management of images
  • Safe and reliable migration of users, profiles and settings
  • New generic variable-based tasks
  • Simplified usage and transparent interface
  • Support for Logical Volumes and enhanced RAID support
  • Built-in support for non-Ghost images such as VMware VMDK, PowerQuest PQI files, and Symantec Backup Exec™ System Recovery V2i files
  • New approach to Enterprise Licensing - administrators are notified by Symantec when their license is pending renewal

For a detailed comparison matrix of new features, please refer to the 'Compare' section of this page.

Question Answer
What new features appeared in GSS 2.5? Most new features that appeared in Ghost Solution Suite 2.5 have been listed in the previous answer. For more detailed information about selected new features please refer to the table below.
New feature Feature description
Hot imaging The hot imaging technology developed by Symantec prevents stale and out-of-date images by keeping them synced with the reference image at all times. Hot imaging enables administrators to migrate directly from a reference machine to an endpoint and this new feature also eliminates the need to restart the box while creating Ghost Solution Suite images.
DeployAnywhere DeployAnywhere technology by Symantec appeared in GSS 2.5. It enables hardware-independent migration while reducing the risk of an error during moving files and OSes between different hardware configurations. DeployAnywhere can automatically recognize new hardware and install appropriate drivers to avoid errors during migration.
Support for third-party image files This new feature can save you much time and energy while creating and managing image files in various, non-Ghost formats. As of GSS 2.5 you can use VMware VMDK, PowerQuest PQI, and Symantec Backup Exec System Recovery (BESR) files.
Support for Logical Volumes Give more speed to your imaging and deployment of files and systems spanned across multiple logical volumes. With this newly included support for Logical Volumes you can image Windows and Linux partitions hands down.
Question Answer
What is the difference between Norton Ghost and Ghost Solution Suite? Generally speaking, Norton Ghost is intended for home PC users as a simple backup and restore tool, whereas Ghost Solution Suite is intended for sophisticated migration and deployment assignments in a corporate environment.

Moreover, Norton Ghost comes without the Management Console, which is a handy tool included in Ghost Solution Suite that allows administrators to execute migration tasks, perform software and hardware inventories and migrate virtually thousands of users within the network without the need of physical presence at their desktops.

Norton Ghost also creates system- and hardware-specific backup files which means you cannot restore your files on any other machine. However, Ghost Solution Suite creates images that are hardware-independent and they can be restored on any new hardware.

Question Answer
What is the difference between Ghost Solution Suite and Backup Exec System Recovery?
Ghost Solution Suite Backup Exec System Recovery
Main usage purpose Normally used for backup and migration purposes on machines that are not mission-critical Perfectly suited for boxes that require periodical, or continuous automatic backups
Hardware independent? Not recognized hardware is being supported via automatic insertion of required drivers The image created may be used in any hardware configuration
Administration and Management Console Single centralized management console that can be used for imaging, migration, deployment, and software / hardware inventory No console is included
Deployment Deploy images and software on a one-to-many basis No support for deployment
Imaging methods Capable of creating both "cold" and "hot" images accross the network Images are always "hot" and created on a live Windows system
Question Answer
Is there a free Ghost Solution Suite trial available for download? Yes, Ghost Solution Suite trial ware is available for free download from Symantec website. This free 30-day Ghost Solution Suite trial is limited to 10 client licenses.

Download Ghost Solution Suite free trial

Question Answer
What languages besides English are also available for Symantec Ghost Solution Suite trial? Ghost Solution Suite trialware will be also available in German, French, Italian, Chinese Traditional, Chinese Simplified, Korean, and Japanese.
Question Answer
Can existing Ghost customers upgrade their license to Ghost Solution Suite 2.5? Yes, customers who own Ghost Solution Suite version 1.x with current active maintenance are eligible to upgrade to GSS 2.5 via Symantec automatic upgrade center.

Customers owning Symantec Ghost 8.0, Ghost Solution Suite 1.x, and DeployCenter Library 2.0 with current active are eligible for update via the standard Ghost upgrade SKU at the discounted upgrade price.

Customers owning other Symantec licenses or not owning any at all, will need to buy license of Ghost Solution Suite 2.5 at the full price. Please note there are no cross-grade possibilities for GSS 2.5.
ghost solution suite migration matrix

Question Answer
What is the GDisk tool included in Ghost Solution Suite and what standards does it meet for secure file wiping? The GDisk disk wipe feature included in GSS 2.5 is an industry-standard compliant tool to securely and irrecoverably wiping disks and files for increased security of data stored on retired and disposed hardware.

GDisk conforms to the following data wiping standards:

  • U.S. DoD (Department of Defense), NISPOM (National Industrial Security Program
    Operating Manual)—DoD 5220.22-M, January 1995. Standard specification may be obtained here.
  • Assistant Secretary of Defense, Memorandum of Disposition of Unclassified
    DoD Computer Hard Drives, 4th June 2001.
Question Answer
Will Ghost Solution Suite 2.5 be available in my language? Symantec plans to release GSS 2.5 in the following localized versions:
  • Chinese Simplified
  • Chinese Traditional
  • German
  • French
  • International English
  • Italian
  • Japanese
  • Korean
This article applies to the following products: 
Symantec Ghost Solution Suite

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