Novell ZENworks
Encyclopedia
Novell ZENworks, a suite of software products developed and maintained by Novell, Inc. for computer systems management
, aims to manage the entire life cycle
of servers
, of desktop
PCs
(Windows
or Linux
), of laptop
s, and of handheld device
s such as personal digital assistant
s (PDAs). ZENworks recently included full disk encryption
functionality . ZENworks supports multiple server platforms and multiple directory service
s.
The prototype consisted of a demonstration app named "Magic Windows" due to the automatic correction of configuration errors after the double-click and before the launch. Kevin Hopton was the primary architect and developer of Magic Windows but received important assistance from JD Marymee in the creation of AppWare objects that enabled directory access. Hopton produced a second version, written in Delphi and with UI assistance from Eric Burkholder. That version added representation for users and several other object classes.
Once the demonstration application proved a hit with customers, Novell's software-engineering organization took over the code and rewrote it from scratch in C. The key engineers and architects for this official version (named Novell Application Launcher or NAL) were Damon Janis, Kelly Sonderegger, Matt Brooks and Calvin Gaisford. Sandy Marymee handled marketing. NAL was well received by the network-administrator community and its use and adoption quickly grew.
The success of NAL led to a desire to expand its functionality. Notably, Kent Prows lobbied for addition of software distribution capabilities, Samm DiStasio came up with the name "ZENworks" (for "Zero Effort Networking") with Allen Tietjen driving the bundle.
The "Novell Application Launcher" service and executable program-names with the .nal file extension persist.
Novell later created a version that diversified the managed object class to include users. That solution (based on the second iteration of Magic Windows, engineered primarily by Damon Janis) was named "UserNet" and appeared at the Novell Brainshare conference in 1994.
Kelly Sonderegger had done prior work relating to NDS as a shared Windows registry, and that work significantly influenced the design of the official versions of NAL and ZENworks.
The new name, "ZENworks", first appeared as "Z.E.N.works" in 1998 with ZENworks 1.0
and with ZENworks Starter Pack - a limited version of ZENworks 1.0 that came bundled with NetWare 5.0 (1998). Novell added server-management functionality, and the product grew into a suite consisting of:
Novell has continued to add components to the suite, which it sells under the consolidated name "ZENworks Suite".
Novell ZENworks 7.x Linux Management makes it easy to embrace and manage Linux devices on multiple hardware architectures distributed within your environment or infrastructure. It allows to gain the centralized control of Linux servers or workstations across the entire enterprise.
It uses policy and bundle driven automation to configure/update,secure,manage and maintain Linux resources and allows you to control workstation and server settings as well as certain applications. These automated and intelligent policies or bundles, allows administrators to provide centralized control across the lifecycle of Linux systems for capabilities like software/application management, device lockdown and configuration, imaging based Linux OS deployment/migration, remote management, inventory ,centralized event logging and monitoring system state etc. The result is a comprehensive Linux management solution that eliminates administration effort by dramatically reducing the time,expense,risk and continuous manual administration overhead required to maintain Linux systems in an enterprise environment. For more information refer to http://www.novell.com/documentation/zlm73/
ZLM centralizes and automates the deployment and management of Red Hat for Servers and SUSE Linux Enterprise environments for servers and desktops. Whether you use SUSE Linux Enterprise Server or Red Hat Enterprise Linux on your devices, you can automate the download,delivery of server or desktop software applications or data,deploying OS patches/updates,upgrade to service packs and manage rpm applications along with its dependencies, all from a single administrative console — the ZENworks Control Center.
Systems management
Systems management refers to enterprise-wide administration of distributed systems including computer systems. Systems management is strongly influenced by network management initiatives in telecommunications....
, aims to manage the entire life cycle
Product life cycle management
Product life-cycle management is the succession of strategies used by business management as a product goes through its life-cycle. The conditions in which a product is sold changes over time and must be managed as it moves through its succession of stages.Product life-cycle Like human beings,...
of servers
Server (computing)
In the context of client-server architecture, a server is a computer program running to serve the requests of other programs, the "clients". Thus, the "server" performs some computational task on behalf of "clients"...
, of desktop
Desktop computer
A desktop computer is a personal computer in a form intended for regular use at a single location, as opposed to a mobile laptop or portable computer. Early desktop computers are designed to lay flat on the desk, while modern towers stand upright...
PCs
Personal computer
A personal computer is any general-purpose computer whose size, capabilities, and original sales price make it useful for individuals, and which is intended to be operated directly by an end-user with no intervening computer operator...
(Windows
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows is a series of operating systems produced by Microsoft.Microsoft introduced an operating environment named Windows on November 20, 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces . Microsoft Windows came to dominate the world's personal...
or Linux
Linux
Linux is a Unix-like computer operating system assembled under the model of free and open source software development and distribution. The defining component of any Linux system is the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released October 5, 1991 by Linus Torvalds...
), of laptop
Laptop
A laptop, also called a notebook, is a personal computer for mobile use. A laptop integrates most of the typical components of a desktop computer, including a display, a keyboard, a pointing device and speakers into a single unit...
s, and of handheld device
Handheld device
A mobile device is a small, hand-held computing device, typically having a display screen with touch input and/or a miniature keyboard and less than . Early pocket sized ones were joined in the late 2000s by larger but otherwise similar tablet computers...
s such as personal digital assistant
Personal digital assistant
A personal digital assistant , also known as a palmtop computer, or personal data assistant, is a mobile device that functions as a personal information manager. Current PDAs often have the ability to connect to the Internet...
s (PDAs). ZENworks recently included full disk encryption
Full disk encryption
Disk encryption uses disk encryption software or hardware to encrypt every bit of data that goes on a disk or disk volume. Disk encryption prevents unauthorized access to data storage. The term "full disk encryption" is often used to signify that everything on a disk is encrypted, including the...
functionality . ZENworks supports multiple server platforms and multiple directory service
Directory service
A directory service is the software system that stores, organizes and provides access to information in a directory. In software engineering, a directory is a map between names and values. It allows the lookup of values given a name, similar to a dictionary...
s.
History
Kevin Hopton, a corporate systems engineer at Novell, first conceived of the software which later became NAL (Novell Application Launcher) in 1993. The original concept involved using the Novell Directory Services (NDS) directory as a namespace and storage engine that, in concert with a client console program, would perform just-in-time application-configuration. The directory namespace - global, unambiguous and outside the influence of end users - provided a highly reliable mechanism for ensuring that the methods invoked for launching the application were those defined by expert staff.The prototype consisted of a demonstration app named "Magic Windows" due to the automatic correction of configuration errors after the double-click and before the launch. Kevin Hopton was the primary architect and developer of Magic Windows but received important assistance from JD Marymee in the creation of AppWare objects that enabled directory access. Hopton produced a second version, written in Delphi and with UI assistance from Eric Burkholder. That version added representation for users and several other object classes.
Once the demonstration application proved a hit with customers, Novell's software-engineering organization took over the code and rewrote it from scratch in C. The key engineers and architects for this official version (named Novell Application Launcher or NAL) were Damon Janis, Kelly Sonderegger, Matt Brooks and Calvin Gaisford. Sandy Marymee handled marketing. NAL was well received by the network-administrator community and its use and adoption quickly grew.
The success of NAL led to a desire to expand its functionality. Notably, Kent Prows lobbied for addition of software distribution capabilities, Samm DiStasio came up with the name "ZENworks" (for "Zero Effort Networking") with Allen Tietjen driving the bundle.
The "Novell Application Launcher" service and executable program-names with the .nal file extension persist.
Novell later created a version that diversified the managed object class to include users. That solution (based on the second iteration of Magic Windows, engineered primarily by Damon Janis) was named "UserNet" and appeared at the Novell Brainshare conference in 1994.
Kelly Sonderegger had done prior work relating to NDS as a shared Windows registry, and that work significantly influenced the design of the official versions of NAL and ZENworks.
The new name, "ZENworks", first appeared as "Z.E.N.works" in 1998 with ZENworks 1.0
and with ZENworks Starter Pack - a limited version of ZENworks 1.0 that came bundled with NetWare 5.0 (1998). Novell added server-management functionality, and the product grew into a suite consisting of:
- "ZENworks for Desktops" (ZfD)
- "ZENworks for Servers" (ZfS)
Novell has continued to add components to the suite, which it sells under the consolidated name "ZENworks Suite".
Capabilities
The ZENworks suite comprises nine packages, available individually.- Desktop Management (or ZDM — for "ZENworks 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 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 MSI packages and Group PoliciesGroup PolicyGroup Policy is a feature of the Microsoft Windows NT family of operating systems. Group Policy is a set of rules that control the working environment of user accounts and computer accounts. Group Policy provides the centralized management and configuration of operating systems, applications, and...
, despite the common misconception that systems administrators need Microsoft Active DirectoryActive DirectoryActive Directory is a directory service created by Microsoft for Windows domain networks. It is included in most Windows Server operating systems. Server computers on which Active Directory is running are called domain controllers....
and a Windows server to gain the full benefit of these technologies. - The Application Explorer utility (
nalview.exe) provides a Novell Application Launcher (NAL) view to link applications into Microsoft Windows desktop displays. - A Zenworks implementation on a desktop machine may include:
-
nalagent.exe -
nalntsrv.exe(runs the NT serviceWindows ServiceOn Microsoft Windows operating systems, a Windows service is a long-running executable that performs specific functions and which is designed not to require user intervention. Windows services can be configured to start when the operating system is booted and run in the background as long as...
) -
zenrem32.exe(allows remote users to manage a machine)
-
- Desktop Management software can operate both inside and outside firewalls.
- Linux Management (or ZLM — for "ZENworks Linux Management") - initially leveraged the Red Carpet software package (ZENworks Linux Management versions up to 6.6.2) which manages RPMRPM Package ManagerRPM Package Manager is a package management system. The name RPM variously refers to the .rpm file format, files in this format, software packaged in such files, and the package manager itself...
packages installed on LinuxLinuxLinux is a Unix-like computer operating system assembled under the model of free and open source software development and distribution. The defining component of any Linux system is the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released October 5, 1991 by Linus Torvalds...
workstations and servers. After a complete rewrite (version 7.x and upwards), the tool extended its functionality from Software Management to Asset Management, Policy Enforcement, and System Imaging.
Novell ZENworks 7.x Linux Management makes it easy to embrace and manage Linux devices on multiple hardware architectures distributed within your environment or infrastructure. It allows to gain the centralized control of Linux servers or workstations across the entire enterprise.
It uses policy and bundle driven automation to configure/update,secure,manage and maintain Linux resources and allows you to control workstation and server settings as well as certain applications. These automated and intelligent policies or bundles, allows administrators to provide centralized control across the lifecycle of Linux systems for capabilities like software/application management, device lockdown and configuration, imaging based Linux OS deployment/migration, remote management, inventory ,centralized event logging and monitoring system state etc. The result is a comprehensive Linux management solution that eliminates administration effort by dramatically reducing the time,expense,risk and continuous manual administration overhead required to maintain Linux systems in an enterprise environment. For more information refer to http://www.novell.com/documentation/zlm73/
ZLM centralizes and automates the deployment and management of Red Hat for Servers and SUSE Linux Enterprise environments for servers and desktops. Whether you use SUSE Linux Enterprise Server or Red Hat Enterprise Linux on your devices, you can automate the download,delivery of server or desktop software applications or data,deploying OS patches/updates,upgrade to service packs and manage rpm applications along with its dependencies, all from a single administrative console — the ZENworks Control Center.
- Personality Migration 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 MacrovisionMacrovisionRovi Corporation is a globally operating, US-based company that provides guidance technology, entertainment data, copy protection, industry standard networking and media management technology for digital entertainment devices and services...
's AdminStudio software, which allows administrators to create MSI (installer) packages for distribution. - Data Management, a version of Novell's iFolderIFolderiFolder is an open source application, developed by Novell, Inc., intended to allow cross-platform file sharing across computer networks.iFolder operates on the concept of shared folders, where a folder is marked as shared and the contents of the folder are then synchronized to other computers over...
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 InternetInternetThe Internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks that use the standard Internet protocol suite to serve billions of users worldwide...
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 provides automated patch management, allowing administrators to mitigate patch-related security threats by automating the collection, analysis, and delivery of patches throughout an enterprise network. Patch Management includes a subscription to the world's largest repository of fully automated patches spanning Windows and many Linux and Unix platforms. Patch deployment takes place rapidly and accurately with wizard-based tools and the ability to continuously monitor to ensure that computers stay patched over time.
- 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 PalmPalm OSPalm OS is a mobile operating system initially developed by Palm, Inc., for personal digital assistants in 1996. Palm OS is designed for ease of use with a touchscreen-based graphical user interface. It is provided with a suite of basic applications for personal information management...
, Windows CEWindows CEMicrosoft Windows CE is an operating system developed by Microsoft for embedded systems. Windows CE is a distinct operating system and kernel, rather than a trimmed-down version of desktop Windows...
, Pocket PCPocket PCA Pocket PC is also known by Microsoft as a 'Windows Mobile Classic device'. It is a hardware specification for a handheld-sized computer, personal digital assistant , that runs the Microsoft 'Windows Mobile Classic' operating system...
, and RIMResearch In MotionResearch In Motion Limited or RIM is a Canadian multinational telecommunications company headquartered in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada that designs, manufactures and markets wireless solutions for the worldwide mobile communications market...
BlackBerryBlackBerryBlackBerry is a line of mobile email and smartphone devices developed and designed by Canadian company Research In Motion since 1999.BlackBerry devices are smartphones, designed to function as personal digital assistants, portable media players, internet browsers, gaming devices, and much more...
devices. - Asset Management handles hardware and software inventories.
Managed platforms and devices
- Desktop Management
- Windows 7
- Windows Vista
- Windows XP
- Windows 2000 Professional SP4
- Windows 98 SE
- Server Management
- NetWare 5.1, NetWare 6 and NetWare 6.5
- Novell Open Enterprise Server
- Windows 2000, 2003, 2008
- SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 8, 9, 10, 11
- Red Hat 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 formerly EM64T
- Novell Open Enterprise Server, x86
- SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 9 SP1 x86, x86-64 formerly EM64T
- SUSE Linux Professional 9.3, x86, x86-64 formerly 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.
Management Server Platforms
- 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
- SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 10 SP1-SP3
- SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 11 and SP1
- Handheld Management
- Windows 2000 server or workstation
- Windows Server 2003
- Configuration Management
- Windows 2000 Server
- Windows 2003 Server
- SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 10 SP1
- Open Enterprise Server 2 (Linux)
Supported directory services
- Novell eDirectoryNovell eDirectoryNovell eDirectory is an X.500-compatible directory service software product initially released in 1993 by Novell for centrally managing access to resources on multiple servers and computers within a given network...
- Microsoft Active DirectoryActive DirectoryActive Directory is a directory service created by Microsoft for Windows domain networks. It is included in most Windows Server operating systems. Server computers on which Active Directory is running are called domain controllers....