7th Heaven
Articles and Tips: article
01 Aug 2005
This year marks the seventh anniversary of Novell ZENworks. And what better time to release ZENworks 7? That's right. Novell is releasing ZENworks 7 in calendar Q3!
ZENworks 7 has many enhancements and new capabilities. It includes updated versions of ZENworks Desktop Management, ZENworks Server Management, ZENworks Handheld Management, ZENworks Linux Management and more. But some of the most significant changes are in the Linux Management, Desktop Management and new Asset Inventory offerings. Table 1 shows the key features and functionality of ZENworks 7 and what's new or improved.
Desktop Management
How would you like to manage your Windows workstations using the power and security of Linux? Now you can! With Novell ZENworks 7 Desktop Management, you can now install the following key elements on SUSE LINUX Enterprise Server 9 Support Pack 1 or Novell Open Enterprise Server (Linux) 1.0:
ZENworks Desktop Management Server: This software enables you to centrally create and manage policies and profiles for users and workstations. These policies and profiles enable you to distribute, manage and update applications, perform advanced inventory and remote management functions, and automatically install operating systems on the Windows workstations in your network.
ZENworks Middle Tier Server: This software works with Web Server software installed on a Linux server to set up authentication and communication between the Desktop Management Server inside the corporate firewall and workstations outside the corporate firewall. This communication makes it possible for mobile users to get Desktop Management services when they are traveling or working from home. You can also fully manage PCs without the full Novell Client32.
Some of the most significant changes in ZENworks 7 are the Linux Management, Desktop Management, and New Asset Inventory Offerings.
During installation you can now choose between the two elements organized in various combinations called "install sets." You can choose any of the following install sets:
Install All ZENworks Features on a Linux Server
Install Only the Desktop Management Server on a Linux Server
Install Only the ZENworks Middle Tier Server on a Linux Server
Customize the ZENworks Desktop Management Installation on a Linux Server
Although you can store the workstation application and policy files on a Linux server, you must use Novell ConsoleOne to configure them from your administrative Windows workstation or server.
Linux Management
ZENworks 7 Linux Management makes it easy to embrace and extend Linux within your existing environment. It's the only solution that uses policy-driven automation to deploy, manage and maintain Linux resources. These automated and intelligent policies allow administrators to provide centralized control across the lifecycle of Linux systems for desktop lockdown, imaging, remote management, inventory and software management. The result is a comprehensive Linux management solution that eliminates IT effort by dramatically reducing the required overhead needed to manage Linux systems.)
Web-Based Administration
ZENworks 7 Linux Management introduces a new Web-based management tool for administering your ZENworks features: the ZENworks Control Center.
You can launch the ZENworks Control Center using either Internet Explorer 6 SP1 (or higher) or Firefox version 1.0 (or higher). If you are using a browser that's not supported, you'll get a warning message when you log in. After you log in, enter the URL into the URL locator. The default URL for the ZENworks Control Center is https://server/zenworks, where server is either the DNS or IP address of the ZENworks server.
The first screen to appear is the ZENworks Login. (See Figure 1.) Enter the username and password you assigned during the installation. You can also choose the language. The ZENworks Control Center supports English, French, German, Portuguese and Spanish.
Figure 1: ZENworks Control Center Login screen allows different administrators to gain secure access to only the information they have rights to.
After you successfully log in, you will see the Getting Started page. (See Figure 2.) From this page you can:
get a product overview
learn how to register Linux devices
learn how to deliver an application
learn how to use policies
link to online documentation
Figure 2: The Getting Started page provides a quick way to access information about ZENworks 7 Linux Management.
If you want the Getting Started page to come up every time you launch the ZENworks Control Center, uncheck the "Do not show me this again" option at the bottom of the page.
After viewing the Getting Started page the first time, you will see the main home page. (See Figure 3.) This page contains important information about the state of ZENworks Linux Management.
Figure 3: ZENworks Control Center task based approach gives you a single view into the health and status of the system.
Besides the ZENworks Control Center, the suite includes new capabilities for reporting, imaging, remote control, desktop lockdown and hardware/software inventory. For more information, check out "Hear Ye! Hear Ye!" in the March/April 2005 issue of Novell Connection magazine for an in-depth look at ZENworks 7 Linux Management.
Asset Inventory
In May, Novell announced the first shipment of Novell ZENworks Asset Management. (See Figure 4.) ZENworks Asset Management integrates asset inventory usage and license reconciliation capabilities to provide the most complete, accurate view of software installations and license compliance available. Combining data enables you to get a complete view of your IT assets. This ensures license compliance and eliminates software overspending so you only buy the licenses your organization needs.
Figure 4: Most ZENworks Asset Management administrators access the reports and analysis they need to complete projects from the Web Console.
While ZENworks 7 Suite does not include ZENworks Asset Management, it does include the Asset Inventory component of ZENworks Asset Management. ZENworks 7 Desktop Management and ZENworks 7 Server Management also include the Asset Inventory component. Table 2 shows the differences between the traditional inventory in ZENworks, Asset Inventory and ZENworks Asset Management.
Handheld Management, Server Management and more...
Although I've focused mainly on Desktop Management, Asset Inventory and Linux Management, other parts of the ZENworks 7 Suite also have key improvements. With ZENworks 7 Handheld Management you can now:
remote control or remotely view a handheld device
synchronize the device password with the network password
assign multiple Access Points to a device and define the order of the Access Points to which the Palm OS or Windows CE device must connect
specify the date and time when you want to install the Handheld Application object files on the device
automatically uninstall the software from the Windows CE devices
automatically delete the files from Palm or Windows CE devices
ZENworks 7 Server Management adds support for SUSE LINUX and Red Hat Linux servers. The Management and Monitoring Services also have improvements. You can enable, disable and specify intervals for NetWare and eDirectory Traps for multiple NetWare servers. You can create rules for managing incoming alarms and performing various actions when the alarms occur. The software processes the alarms based on the rules you create. You can create rules by combining the following parameters:
Source Address
Severity
State
Alarms
Varbinds of traps
Time
ZENworks 7 includes functionality for managing Tablet PCs, as well as support for Windows XP SP2. Novell Messenger, also included, provides administrators and help desk technicians with an easy, secure way of chatting with end users to resolve problems. (See Figure 5.)
Figure 5: Novell Messenger, also included in ZENworks 7, provides administrators and help desk technicians with an easy, secure way of chatting with end users to resolve problems.
Conclusion
ZENworks 7 provides significant improvements and can change the way you manage your diverse IT resources. Only ZENworks 7 provides you with a choice of back-end infrastructure and client devices. For more information on ZENworks 7, visit /zenworks.
And last, but not least, let's wish ZENworks Happy Birthday and many more to come!
You can install ZENworks 7 Desktop Management services on a SUSE LINUX Enterprise Server 9 or Novell Open Enterprise Server Linux server:
From the terminal console, use the su command to switch to the root user.
Run mount /media/cdrom to mount the ZENworks 7 Desktop Management Installation CD or CD recorder.
Change to the CD mount directory, and run ./setup to display the first page of the installation program.
Read the introduction, then press Enter to display the Installation Prerequisites page.
Read the prerequisites, pressing Enter to page down as you read. At the end of the prerequisites, press Enter to display the License Agreement page.
Read the terms of the license, pressing Enter to page down as you read. At the end of license agreement, enter Y if you accept the terms of the license.
Enter back on any page of the installation program to go back to the previous page.
Enter quit on any page to cancel the installation program.
The first page of the installation displays.
Table 1: A High-Level Features Summary of ZENworks
|
Feature Key
|
ZENworks 7 Suite
|
ZENworks 7 Desktop Management
|
ZENworks 7 Server Management
|
ZENworks 7 Handheld Management
|
ZENworks 7 Linux Management
|
|
Common |
|||||
|
Policy-Driven Automation |
|
|
|
|
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Novell Open Enterprise Server support |
|
|
|
|
|
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Windows Server support |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server support |
|
|
|
||
|
SUSE LINUX Enterprise Server support |
|
|
|
|
|
|
eDirectory and Active Directory support |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Software and content distribution |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Agent-based architecture |
|
|
|
|
|
|
ZENworks Control Center for Linux Management |
|
|
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|
Imaging |
|
|
|
|
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|
Data Management |
|
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Remote Management |
|
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|
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Desktop Management |
|||||
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Windows 98/NT4/2000/XP Pro/Tablet support |
|
|
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Novell Linux Desktop support |
|
|
|
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Firewall friendly |
|
|
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Rogue process termination |
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Advanced MSI support |
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Application chaining |
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Checkpoint restart |
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Mobile user management |
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Web-based application delivery |
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"Lights out" distribution |
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Personality migration |
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|
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Novell Messenger |
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|
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Self-healing |
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|
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Asset Management |
|||||
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Network Discovery |
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Increased inventory accuracy |
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Inventory Routers/Hubs/Switches |
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Inventory printers |
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Prebuilt reports |
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Web-based reporting |
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Integration with ZENworks Asset Management |
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Reporting and querying |
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Hardware and Software Inventory |
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Inventory History Reporting |
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Inventory Change Alerting |
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Extensible and customizable inventory |
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Integration with Remedy |
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Patch Management |
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Automated patch management |
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Windows patches* |
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Linux patches |
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Citrix, Microsoft, Adobe, Symantec and more |
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Flexible scheduling options |
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Vulnerability assessment |
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Detailed patch information |
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Applicable target selection |
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Patch compliance reporting |
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Server Management |
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Distribution reporting |
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Versioning notification |
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System management & monitoring |
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Traffic analysis |
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Network discovery |
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Web-based health reporting |
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Linux management & monitoring |
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eDirectory management & monitoring |
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Handheld Management |
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Sync device password with network password |
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RIM BlackBerry support |
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WinCE management |
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Palm OS management |
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Windows Mobile 2003 for Pocket PC management |
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Remote wireless access points |
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Configuration management |
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Device Self-destruct |
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Handheld restore |
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Password Enhancement and Enforcement |
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File retrieval |
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Yes
New/Improved
*Patch subscription for 90 days on 100 devices
Table 2: ZENworks Asset Management Feature Summary
|
Feature Key
|
ZENworks 7 Suite
|
Asset Inventory Component
|
ZENworks Asset Management
|
|
Functionality Provided |
Basic ZENworks inventory and canned reports installed as part of ZENworks 7 and component products |
Included with ZENworks 7 Suite, ZENworks 7 Desktop Management, ZENworks 7 Server Management |
Available as separate purchase. Not included in the ZENworks Suite. |
|
General |
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Supported Operating Systems |
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NetWare |
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Windows 2003 |
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Windows 2000 |
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Inventoried Servers |
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NetWare |
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Windows Server 2003 |
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Windows Server 2000 |
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Managed Desktops |
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Windows XP Desktop |
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Windows 2000 Desktop |
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Windows NT Desktop |
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Windows 98SE |
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Windows 95 |
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IP-Based Device Discover |
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Desktops |
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Servers |
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Printers |
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Routers |
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Hubs |
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Switches |
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IP-Based devices |
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Console |
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32-bit console |
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Browser-based console |
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Role-based administration |
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Integration & Data Access |
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SMS |
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Data access |
Export |
Export/Open access |
Export/Open access |
|
Required integration effort |
High |
Low |
Low |
|
Inventory Gathering |
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Scan Management |
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Initiate on event |
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Initiate on schedule |
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Initiate from script |
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Initiate by local user |
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Initiate by admin remotely |
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View local inventory on device |
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Output scan data locally |
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Run standalone or from media |
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File Scanning |
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Specify by directories to exclude |
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Scan for specified file extension |
|
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Retrieve file from device |
|
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Application & Hardware Recognition |
|||
|
Knowledgebase provided for identification |
Software only |
Software & Hardware |
Software & Hardware |
|
Update frequency |
Quarterly |
Monthly |
Monthly |
|
Automatic updates |
|
|
|
|
Predefined suites |
MS Office Only |
Extensive |
Extensive |
|
Number of products in Knowledgebase |
18,000 |
65,000 titles + versions |
65,000 titles + versions |
|
Inventory Gathering |
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Inventory Change Management |
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Retain hardware inventory history |
|
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Retain software inventory history |
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Compare inventory by date |
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Alert on change detected in database info |
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Report changes |
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E-mail alert |
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Hardware location management |
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Hardware lease information |
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Software categories |
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Software Tracking |
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Software Usage Tracking |
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Usage tracking by user |
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Usage tracking by device |
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Disconnected usage tracking |
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Domain the user is logged into |
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||
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Specify applications to track |
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Local applications |
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Server-based applications |
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Software use start and stop |
|
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Frequency / Active Use / Background Use |
|
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Usage trend gathering |
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Software License Compliance |
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Purchase Information |
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Connection to reseller systems |
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Import purchase/invoice data |
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License purchase data |
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Proof-of-license ownership reference |
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Cost Tracking |
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|
License Management |
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Manage software license information |
|
||
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Accomodates software update/upgrade |
|
||
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Suite aware |
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License Compliance |
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Passive usage metering (track and report) |
|
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Allow tolerance for overage |
|
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Assign license to device |
|
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Assign license to group |
|
||
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Assign license to cost center |
|
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Assign license to site |
|
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Reporting |
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General |
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Browser based |
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Report access controlled by permission |
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Query inventory |
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Save new query |
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Reporting |
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Includes canned reports |
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Report Creation |
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Save as new report |
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Run report on schedule |
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Alert user to new report data |
|
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Archive report results automatically |
|
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Secured/role-based access to reports |
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Drill down with report data and graphics |
|
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Canned & Custom Reports Overview* |
|
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General inventory component reports |
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Inventory by site, department and cost center |
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Discovered PCs, Servers, Hubs, Routers, Printers |
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Leased device list reports |
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Upgrade readiness reports |
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Windows XP SP2 application compatibility reports |
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Software usage reports |
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Used vs. installed software |
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Software not used in a defined time period |
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Unauthorized software (based on custom category) |
|
||
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Purchase summary details reports |
|
||
|
License allocations reports |
|
||
|
Software license compliance reports |
|
||
|
Installed software vs. licenses owned |
|
||
|
Calculate license excess/deficiency |
|
||
|
Cost of licenses in use |
|
Yes
New/Improved
*General list of report types. Does not represent a comprehensive list of available reports.
We have talked about many technologies and capabilities within ZENworks. Table 3 shows a highlevel view of what capabilities are in each product.
Table 3: ZENworks Products
|
Key
|
Suite
|
Desktop MGMT
|
Server MGMT
|
Handheld MGMT
|
Linux MGMT
|
Asset MGMT
|
|
Desktop Management |
|
|
||||
|
Server Management |
|
|
||||
|
Handheld Management |
|
|
||||
|
Linux Management |
|
|
||||
|
Asset Inventory |
|
|
|
|
||
|
Software Usage |
|
|||||
|
License Compliance |
|
|||||
|
Hardware/Software Inventory |
|
|
|
|
|
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|
Novell Messenger |
|
|
||||
|
Personality Migration |
|
|
||||
|
Patch Management* |
|
|
|
|||
|
Software Packaging |
|
|
|
|||
|
Data Management |
|
|||||
|
Imaging |
|
|
|
|||
|
Remote Management |
|
|
|
|
|
Yes
New/Improved
*Patch subscription for 90 days on 100 devices
* Originally published in Novell Connection Magazine
Disclaimer
The origin of this information may be internal or external to Novell. While Novell makes all reasonable efforts to verify this information, Novell does not make explicit or implied claims to its validity.