Novell ZENworks, a suite of Software products developed and maintained by Novell, Inc. for computer systems management, aims to manage the entire lifecycle of servers, of desktop computer personal computer-based and Linux-based), of laptops, and of handheld devices (such as Personal digital assistants).
The ZENworks suite comprises nine individual packages:
# #Desktop Management
# #Personality Migration
# #Software Packaging
# #Data Management
# #Patch Management
# #Linux Management
# #Server Management
# #Handheld Management
# #Asset Management.
As of 2005 Novell ships version 7 of ZENworks.
= History =
ZENworks originated as a product named NAL (Novell Application Launcher), but its functionality outgrew the meaning of its name and therefore it became ZENworks (for [http://support.novell.com/techcenter/articles/ana19980502.html Zero Effort Networks ]). (The Novell Application Launcher service and executable program-names with the NAL- prefix persist internally, however.) The new name first appeared with ZENworks 1.0 and with ZENworks Starter Pack (the limited version of ZENworks 1.0 bundled with NetWare 5.0). It then became known as ZENworks for Desktops (ZfD) because Novell produced a server-management tool called ZENworks for Servers (ZfS). Since then Novell has has released a number of products under the ZENworks name, and consolidated the two products (for servers and for desktops) under the unadorned name ZENworks .
= Capabilities =
Desktop Management allows administrators to install software on, configure, put a hard disk image on, inventory and remotely troubleshoot Windows-based workstations and laptops from a central location, through the use of policy-driven automation.
Software packages installed via Desktop Management can have self-healing features and can install themselves on demand.
Desktop Management also supports Microsoft_Installer packages and Group Policy, despite the common misconception that systems administrators need Active Directory and a Windows server to gain the full benefit of these technologies.
Desktop Management software can work both inside and outside the firewall.
Personality Migration software consists of a modified version of the DesktopDNA currently owned by Computer Associates. Administrators can use it to migrate documents and settings from one Windows-based computer to another, regardless of the version of Windows running on either machine.
Software Packaging comprises a special edition of Macrovision s AdminStudio software, which allows administrators to create reliable MSI pakages for distribution using the desktop-management software components.
Data Management, a version of Novell s iFolder software, allows users to synchronise data in a specified local folder (an iFolder folder on a Windows workstation with iFolder client software installed) with an iFolder server. Users can access iFolder data on the server from within the local network and via the Internet using iFolder server web interface. (Novell significantly extended iFolder functionality in iFolder 3.0, adding support for Linux workstations and many other features.)
Patch Management takes place using a modified version of PatchLink s software.
Linux Management leverages the Red Carpet software package which manages RPM Package Manager packages installed on Linux workstations. Future releases will allow for further configuration of Linux stations.
Server Management allows remotely-located administrators to update, configure and troubleshoot Windows, NetWare, and Linux servers through the use of policy-driven automation.
Handheld Management allows administrators to remotely update, configure, and inventory Palm OS, Windows CE, PocketPC and Research In Motion BlackBerry devices.
Asset Management, the newcomer to the suite, did not actually form part of the ZENworks 6.5 Suite, but operated as a stand-alone product prior to integration into the suite with the next revision. This product allows for a greater array of options for inventory, both hardware and software.
= System Requirements =
==Managed devices==
Desktop Management
Windows XP Professional SP1
Windows 2000 Professional SP4
Windows 98 SE
Windows XP Tablet PC Edition
Server Management
NetWare 5.1, NetWare 6 and NetWare 6.5
Novell Open Enterprise Server
Windows 2000 Server and Windows Server 2003
SUSE LINUX Enterprise Server 8 and 9
Red Hat Advanced Server 2.1 and Red Hat Enterprise Server 2.1
Red Hat Enterprise Linux AS 3 and 4 and Red Hat Enterprise Linux ES 3 and 4
Solaris 9
Linux Management
Novell Linux Desktop SP1, x86, x86_64 and x86_EM64T
Novell Open Enterprise Server, x86
SUSE LINUX Enterprise Server 9 SP1 x86, x86_64 and x86_EM64T
SUSE LINUX Professional 9.3, x86, x86_64 and x86_EM64T
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 4.0 AS, ES, WS and x86
Handheld Management
Palm OS 3.5 and later on Palm devices
Windows CE 2.11 and later including Pocket PC devices
BlackBerry 850/857 devices using the DataTAC network and BlackBerry 950/957 devices using the Mobitex network
Synchronized devices, through a Windows 95 and later desktop, or via TCP/IP to the ZENworks Handheld Management server.
==Server used for managing==
Desktop Management
NetWare 6.5 SP1
NetWare 6 SP4
Windows 2000 Server SP4
Windows Server 2003
SUSE LINUX Enterprise Server 9 SP1
Server Management
NetWare 5.1, NetWare 6 or NetWare 6.5
Windows 2000 Server or Windows Server 2003
SUSE LINUX Enterprise Server 8 and 9
Red Hat Advanced Server 2.1 or Red Hat Enterprise Server 2.1
Red Hat Enterprise Linux AS 3 and 4 and Red Hat Enterprise Linux ES 3 and 4
Linux Management
SUSE LINUX Enterprise Server 9 SP1 x86
Handheld Management
Windows 2000 server or workstation
Windows Server 2003
==Directories supported==
Novell eDirectory
Active Directory
= See also =
Systems management
= External links =
[http://www.novell.com/products/zenworks/ Novell ZENworks Product page]
[http://download.novell.com/Downloadbuildid=L4szhrG8K30~ Download an Evaluation copy of the ZENworks Suite from Novell]
[http://www.novell.jghlkjhgl.kujcom/coolsolutions/zenworks/ Novell s Cool Solutions community site for ZENworks]
[http://www.novell.com/products/ifolder/ Novell iFolder Product page]