About GhostCasting

GhostCasting lets multiple computers running Symantec Ghost receive the same information over a computer network simultaneously. The GhostCast Server works with Ghost.exe to create an image file of a model computer, or restore an image file onto a number of client computers.

The GhostCast Server supports three forms of data transfer for transferring files:

  • Unicasting
  • Direct Broadcasting
  • Multicasting

GhostCasting makes workstation migration and rollouts more efficient and may eliminate replicated network traffic. You can use it through the Windows interface, command-line switches, batch files, or a combination of all three methods.

Two applications are used in GhostCasting: one on the network server and another on every client workstation to be restored or backed up.

  • The GhostCast Server restores image files to multiple clients or creates an image file from a single connected client.
  • On a client workstation, Ghost.exe receives and writes the image file to the local disk.

GhostCasting supports:

  • Ethernet networks
  • Token ring networks
  • Image file creation
  • Multicast-enabled routers
  • Automatic IP address selection using BOOTP or DHCP
  • Session start scheduling
  • Partition-only GhostCasting
  • Multiple, simultaneous sessions, or one session per server