ZENworks Configuration Management
Developer(s)Micro Focus, Novell
Stable release
2020[1] / 2 April 2020 (2020-04-02)
Operating systemCross-platform
TypeSystems management
LicenseProprietary
Websitewww.microfocus.com/products/zenworks/configuration-management/

ZENworks, a suite of software products developed and maintained by Micro Focus International for computer systems management, aims to manage the entire life cycle of servers, of desktop PCs (Windows, Linux or Mac), of laptops, and of handheld devices such as Android and iOS mobile phones and tablets. As of 2011 Novell planned to include Full Disk Encryption (FDE) functionality within ZENworks.[2] ZENworks supports multiple server platforms and multiple directory services.[3]

History

The name, "ZENworks", first appeared as "Z.E.N.works" in 1998 with ZENworks 1.0[4] 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)
  • "ZENworks for Handhelds" (ZfH)

Novell has continued to add components to the suite, which it sells under the consolidated name "ZENworks Suite".

The initial ZENworks products had a tight integration with Novell Directory Service (NDS). With the release of ZENworks Configuration Management 10 (2007) the product architecture completely changed, the product became directory agnostic and ZENworks Suite products were integrated into a single management framework.

ZENworks Releases:

ProductVersionRelease DateNotes
Novell Application Launcher (NAL) 1 1996 Pre-ZENworks
Z.E.N.works1.018 May 1998Initial release
Z.E.N.works1.116 Nov 1998
Z.E.N.works Starter Pack16 Nov 1998
ZENworks228 Jun 1999
ZENworks for Servers17 Mar 2000
ZENworks for Desktops322 Aug 2000
ZENworks for Servers231 Jan 2001
ZENworks for Desktops3.213 Aug 2001
ZENworks for Servers33 Apr 2002
ZENworks for Desktops427 Aug 2002
ZENworks for Desktops4.0.114 Apr 2002
ZENworks Suite614 Apr 2003Version number jumped to version 6 as the ZENworks Suite merged ZFD 4, ZFS 3 and ZFH 5
ZENworks Suite6.53 Jun 2004
ZENworks Suite 7 26 Aug 2005
ZENworks Configuration Management1021 Sep 2007First release of new architecture, version 10 as ZENworks existed for 10 years
ZENworks Configuration Management10.128 Jan 2009
ZENworks Configuration Management10.22 Jan 2010
ZENworks Configuration Management10.36 Apr 2012
ZENworks Configuration Management115 Jan 2011
ZENworks Configuration Management11.18 Nov 2011
ZENworks Configuration Management11.213 Dec 2012Full Disk Encryption
ZENworks Configuration Management11.39 Jul 2013
ZENworks Configuration Management 11.4 Jul 2015
ZENworks Configuration Management2017Dec 2016Integration of Mobile Device Management
ZENworks Configuration Management2017 Update 111 Jul 2017
ZENworks Configuration Management2017 Update 224 Jan 2018
ZENworks Configuration Management2017 Update 316 Aug 2018
ZENworks Configuration Management2017 Update 4Jan 2019
ZENworks Configuration Management2020Sep 2019
ZENworks Configuration Management2020 Update 1Apr 2020Patching and tracking CVEs
ZENworks Configuration Management 2020 Update 2 Aug 2021 Includes Antimalware

Elements of the ZENworks Suite

In the latest version of ZENworks known as ZENworks 2017 the ZENworks Suite consists of seven individual products:

ZENworks Suite
(March 2017)
ZENworks Suite / Platform Product
ZENworks Suite ZENworks 2017 Platform ZENworks Asset Management
ZENworks Configuration Management
ZENworks Endpoint Security Management
ZENworks Full Disk Encryption
ZENworks Mobile Device Management
ZENworks Patch Management
ZENworks Application Virtualization
Micro Focus Service Desk (Incident Management Edition)

Additionally, Novell offers an ITIL version of "Novell Service Desk". This version is ITIL-certified by PinkVERIFY and supports ten ITIL v3 processes, e.g. Change, Incident, Problem and Service Level Management.[5]

In terms of implementation, the ZENworks Agent (also known as the "ZENworks Management Daemon" or "zmd") installs, updates and removes software.[6] The ZENworks Configuration Management (ZCM) addresses patching, endpoint security, asset management and provisioning.[7]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Micro Focus ZENworks 2020 Update 1 is Now Available!".
  2. ↑ "SECUDE Provides Full Disk Encryption Capability to Novell ZENworks". Media Syndicate. MediaSyndicate.com. 2011-11-18. Retrieved 2014-11-05. Novell will integrate and distribute SECUDE's Full Disk Encryption technology to its enterprise customers and prospects under the Novell ZENworks brand.
  3. ↑ "Novell Doc: ZENworks 11 SP2 Installation Guide - System Requirements". Novell. 2012-04-20.
  4. ↑ Heskett, Ben (1998-02-11). "Novell Z.E.N. enlightens desktops". CNET News. Retrieved 2010-08-03. The company [...] will release an open beta version of its Z.E.N.works (Zero Effort Networks) software suite next month [...], with final shipment due in the second quarter.
  5. ↑ "Novell ZENworks Frequently Asked Questions. What's the difference between the incident management version and the ITIL version of Novell Service Desk?". novell.com. 2015. Retrieved 2015-08-12.
  6. ↑ "ZENworks 7.2 Linux Management Administration Guide". Novell Doc. Novell. Retrieved 2014-06-11. The ZENworks Agent [...] sometimes referred to as the ZENworks Management Daemon (zmd) [...] performs software management functions on the ZENworks managed device, including updating, installing, and removing software and performing basic queries of the device's package management database.
  7. ↑ Robison, Christopher C.; Broussard, Frederick W. (August 2007). "New Novell Release: ZENworks Configuration Management" (PDF). PC and Device Management Software: Event Flash. Framingham, Massachusetts, USA: IDC. Retrieved 2015-01-15. On August 14, Novell announced the worldwide availability of ZENworks Configuration Management (ZCM). Novell is adding ZENworks Configuration Management to its stable of configuration management products. This new product has integrated patch, endpoint security, and asset management as well as the ability to provision desktops and single servers.

Further reading

  • Dayley, Brad (2006). Novell ZENworks 7 Suite Administrator's Handbook. Novell Press. ISBN 978-0-672-32846-6.
  • Tanner, Ron (2006). Novell ZENworks 7 Linux Management Administrator's Handbook. Novell Press. ISBN 978-0-672-32784-1.
  • Dayley, Brad (2005). ZENworks 6.5 Suite Administrator's Handbook. Novell Press. ISBN 978-0-7897-3204-0.
  • Dayley, Brad (2003). Novell ZENworks for Desktops 4 Administrator's Handbook. Novell Press. ISBN 978-0-7897-2985-9.
  • Dayley, Brad (2003). Novell ZENworks for Servers 3 Administrator's Handbook. Novell Press. ISBN 978-0-7897-2986-6.
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