Application Launcher/Explorer Workstation Helper

In addition to associating Application objects with users, you can associate Application objects with workstations. This requires that the workstations be included in NDS as Workstation objects and that Workstation Manager be running on the workstations (see Automatic Workstation Import and Removal in ZENworks for Desktops 3.2 Deployment Guide).

When Application Launcher/Explorer starts, a Workstation Helper (ZENAPPWS.DLL) is loaded by Workstation Manager. The Workstation Helper accesses NDS through the Workstation object and passes Application Launcher/Explorer the list of applications associated with the Workstation object. Application Launcher/Explorer then displays the workstation-associated applications just as it does the user-associated applications.

The Workstation Helper (ZENAPPWS.DLL) is installed on the workstation by Application Launcher/Explorer (through NALSTART.EXE) and is registered with Workstation Manager. As a result, Workstation Manager Scheduler, which is running on the workstation, adds an action called NAL Workstation Association Agent. You can view this scheduled action and others by double-clicking the Scheduler icon in the workstation's System tray.


Workstation Manager Scheduler

In some cases, as in the above example, the Currently Running status may display as No. You should ignore this. As long as the NAL Workstation Association Agent is displayed in the list of actions, the Workstation Helper is running.

The Workstation Helper will refresh (reread NDS for changes to Application objects associated with the workstation) when 1) Application Launcher/Explorer is started, 2) Application Launcher/Explorer is manually refreshed, or 3) the Workstation Helper's scheduled refresh time occurs (see Setting Configuration Options ).