Integrating ZENworks for Desktops with Nterprise Branch Office

ZENworks^® for Desktops reduces the total cost of ownership of desktops and laptops. With ZENworks, administrators can automatically and transparently configure, update, and troubleshoot workstations from wherever they are-inside or outside the firewall-without having to visit each device. Using directory-based policies and profiles, they can generate work environments with content and applications tailored to the personal needs of each user or group of users.

IMPORTANT:  This document assumes that there is already an existing installation of ZENworks for Desktops 4 or later at the central office and that the administrator possesses a basic working knowledge of ZENworks for Desktops. If necessary, install and configure a ZENworks for Desktops middle tier server at the central office that is accessible to workstations located in the branch office.

ZENworks for Desktops can be integrated with Nterprise Branch Office 2.0 using a centralized architecture, which lets you manage ZENworks centrally while using the branch office server as a repository for application files.

One of the key advantages of a centralized architecture is that it minimizes the number of ZENworks for Desktops servers that you need to manage. For example, if you have 50 branch offices, you need to set up ZENworks for Desktops only at the central office rather than installing it on each of the 50 servers.

In a centralized architecture, desktops in the branch office use the ZENworks for Desktops 4.0 Management Agent to connect to a centralized ZENworks for Desktops Middle Tier Server. The middle tier server handles all of the ZENworks functions. Application objects point to a mapped drive for the application files. The mapped drive is connected to the Nterprise Branch Office server. This allows lightweight ZENworks functions to be handled centrally and data-intensive functions to be handled locally on the Nterprise Branch Office server.

If the network connection to the central office fails, you can configure ZENworks to cache its services locally, which lets users in the branch office log in to ZENworks and have uninterrupted access to ZENworks services.