This review includes detailed overview of ZENworks Desktop v7 (Desktop Management Product). the overview will include features, components, new competitive features, design guidelines and access methods.

ZENworks v7 General Overview

• ZENworks is a Resource Management Solution for automating the management of network resouces.
• ZENworks uses eDirectory as a Backend for handling it's policies, applications, workstations through objects.
• ZENworks access time depending on how eDirectory objects are placed, so good designing is required for better performance.
• ZENworks has 3 tier architecture (Backend services, middle-tier services and Workstations agents)
  • Back-end Services (servers which run Core ZENworks services)
  • Middle-tier an intermediate between Backend-Services and Workstation Agents and serve their requests through http and https.
  • Workstation Agents: which installed on Client Workstations and Novell Client not required.
• ZENworks Middle Tier Services can be on the same server of Backend Services or on a separate server.
• ZENworks Objects
  • Application and application folder (User access to applications)
  • Group objects, Workstation objects
  • Policy package object (Rules and group of policies in one package)

ZENworks v7 Suite Components

1. ZENworks Desktop Management:Manage Windows Laptops and Desktops to provide services such as Application Distribution, Imaging, Remote Management, Workstation Inventory, Policies.
2. ZENworks Server Management:Manage Netware, Windows, Linux and Solaries Servers to provide services such as Application Deployment, Update Server Configuration, Server Inventory (SW and HW), Policies, Server Processes Management and Real Time Monitoring.
3. ZENworks Handheld Management:Manage Palm, Windows CE, BlackBerry and Pocket PC handheld devices to provide Application distribution, HW and SW Inventory, Data Compression for Bandwidth, Remote Management, Access Points Management, Install, Delete and Uninstall SWs remotely.
4. ZENworks Linux Management:Centralized Control for Linux Servers and Workstation to provide User and Group management, Software-Providers Integration, Roll Back Software Update and Automic Solve for Dependencies.
5. ZENworks Asset Management:Centralized Management of HW and SW by Control how data organized, Schedule when to collect data, Roles assignment for users for access control and provide Inventory Analysis, Quiers and Reports.
6. ZENworks Data Management (iFolder):Store and Access Users' Files from anywhere anytime, online or offline, through Web Access, Internet or Platform-specific clients.
7. ZENworks Instant Messenger (GroupWise Instant Messenger v1): Provide Secure Communications for conversations, Policy Based Management through eDirectory for Users administration and more.
8. ZENworks Software Packaging (InstallShield AdminStudio ZENworks Edition):MSI Packages Management through Creating MSI, Converting Legacy-based install to MSIs, Customizing MSIs and Automate creation and distribtion ob eDirectory objects.
9. ZENworks Personality Migration (Unicenter Desktop DNA from Computer Associates): Migrate System settings, Desktop Settings, Application Settings, Folder and Files, Backup and Restore Desktop Env and Automate Migrations from computer to another.
10. ZENworks Patch Management (PatchLink Update):Software Update and Patch Management for Windows and Netware by providing Vendors' Software Update such as Symantec, Schedule Updates, Review Patch Info and Generate Patches Reports.

ZENworks v7 Suite Management - Backend Services Components

• Application Management (Performs every thing related to applications)
  • Distribute MSI windows applications and create dependiences
  • Determine access to the application
  • Determine how distributed applications presented to users
  • Distribute applications during the imaging process of workstation
  • Uninstll any distributed applications.
• Automatic Workstation Import
  • handle the entire lifecycle of a workstation from Import through AWI to its removal using AWR
• Imaging Service
  • Capturing Workstations images, store them locally or remotely on imaging server and restore images to multiple workstations.
  • Images handled through eDirectory using Workstation image object
  • Can be combined with server policy and scripting to define and perform imaging operations.
  • Compress images and restore the images individually or for group of workstations using a multicast session.
  • Create, delete, activate and view partitions.
  • using Preboot Services for PXE management.
• Remote Management (eDirectory)
  • Complete Management for Workstation locally or remotly and remote Wake up for power off machines.
  • Enables Auditing and logging, Wake up and reboot Machines at scheduled time, execute files, transfer files between remote management console and managed workstation, Diagnose workstation problem, Lock keyboard and mouse .. etc
• Workstation Inventory
  • Don't Install Workstation Inventory with Middle Tier on Win2000 same server.
  • Gather SW and HW information about workstation and store then in database that sys admin can query, view and report.
• Inventory Database
  • Stores information gathered by other services in RDBMS (Sybase, Microsoft SQL2000 and Oracle dbs)
• Workstation Management
  • Complete management for workstation such as change wallpaper, install software, workstation based policies and credentials.

ZENworks v7 Desktop Management New Features

• ZENworks v7 can be installed on all Novell Linux supported Servers (SUSE, OES and NLSBS).
• Policies and Applications distribution on Tablet PCs.
• New Products bundled with ZENworks (Included in License):
  • Asset Inventory Component, Instant Messenger, IDM v2.02 with AD Driver and iManager v2.5
• Application Management: Ability to deploy Desktop Management Agent to Workstation in Windows Workgroup.
• Workstation Imaging:Linux Kernel v2.6 add support for a varity of cards.
• Workstation Inventory:Ability to set and use Oracle9i and 10gR1 on UNIX server and Windows and QuickReports Tool for fast reports.

eDirectory Design Guidelines for ZENworks

• Tree Design Guidelines
  • Design Upperlevels according to WAN Links and Lowerlevels according to network resources.
  • Users and Workstations in the same WAN Link should be grouped together through group memebership.
• Paritions Design Guidlines: Create paritions according to geographical locations and don't span paritions across WANs.
• Replica Design Guidlines: Maintain 3 Replicas for Fault Torlerance and Store them locally if possible for performance.
• Create ZENworks objects (Policies, Applications, Folder) in the same container of associated users with these objects.
• Create ZENworks Workstation objects in the same location or container of physical workstations (Quick Login and Info Gathering).
• ZENworks Installation in a separate TREE needed only if:
  • Prevent the need to update file, print and directory servers while upgrading ZENworks.
• Multiple eDirectory Tree Support: During NAL and GINA Agents installation, both should be modified to support multiple trees.

ZENworks v7 Access Methods

• Traditional Novell Client Access Method
  • Client and Agent running on the Workstation and access ZEN Server through NCP.
  • VPN Connection can be established to avoid security problems. (Not Firewall Friendly - NCP and SMB Ports open)
  • Client Benefits: Map drives and Access to NDS based printers.
• Web Services Access Method (Outside the Firewall)
  • Using the Client with VPN has disadvantages:
• Not Firewall friendly (Open Ports) and Delay Login time till establish the VPN Connection.
• Companies were not comfortable using Novell Client and VPN (No Ease of Use).
  • The need for Web services raised to aviod Client disadvantages by:
• Access ZENworks Server through http and https through Middle Tier Server (Firewall Friendly)
• No need for Novell Client but will lose Map Drives and Access printers benefits.
• Works by Workstation send request (XML Files ) to Middle Tier Server which pass it to ZEN Server and send back its replay to Workstation.
• Web Services Access Method (Inside Firewall)
  • Using Outside the Firewall method, Internal Users faced High Traffic problems while remote users get benefit from it.
  • ZENworks7 uses (ZENMUP) ZENworks Multiple UNC Provider instead of UNC in previous versions.
  • Using ZENMUP enable users (Inside and Outside Firewall) to use web services access method with no depreciation in traffic.
  • ZENMUP provide automatically configured multiple UNC paths to Middle Tier Server and ZENworks server directly (Transparent to users.)

ZENworks v7 Desktop Management Agent

• ZENworks DM Agent must be installed on all workstations regardless of Novell Client.
• ZENworks Agent enable workstation to communicate with both MiddleTier and Backend Servers.
• GINA responsible for Login Dialog on the Workstation and can be edited through /HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/Software/Novell/NWGINA/ Passive Mode to 0 or 1.
• Desktop Management Agent Components
  • NAL (Novell Application launcher): responsible for Application distribution, Uninstall and Management.
  • Workstation Manager: Ability to apply user and workstation policies and any workstation based service.
  • Workstation Inventory: enables workstation inventory on the workstation.
  • Remote Management: enables Remote Management service of ZENworks7 DM.
  • Workstation Imaging: enable unique track for workstation information to be used by imaging service.
• Agent Installation and Distribution Methods
  • Agent Distributor Utility through ConsoleOne: Require Active Directory or Windows Domain.
  • MSI NAL Application: Require previous version of ZENworks to distribute the application.
  • Login Script: Require Novell Client installed and all domain users are in administrators group.
    • msiexec /i \\oes-sp1.valuesys.com\sys\public\zenworks\zfdagent\english\zfdagent.msi
  • Website: Place the MSI file on a website accessable by all users.

ZENworks v7 Desktop - Services Management under Linux

• Start Service: /opt/novell/zenworks/bin/ZDMstart
• Stop Service:/opt/novell/zenworks/bin/ZDMstop

References

• Novell Website
• Novell Online Published Documentations
• My technical demonstration
• Some third party websites