1.2 System Architecture

The ZENworks system architecture consists of two main components, ZENworks Servers and managed devices. These components, organized into management domains, are referred to as ZENworks Management Zones.

Figure 1-1 ZENworks Management Zone with a Primary Server, a Secondary Server, and Several Managed Devices

ZENworks Server

The ZENworks Server is the backbone of the ZENworks system. The first ZENworks Server installed is called the ZENworks Primary Server. The Primary Server contains the following ZENworks components:

Depending on the number and location of the devices you want to manage with ZENworks, you might need additional ZENworks Servers, referred to as ZENworks Secondary Servers. Secondary Servers contain the services, package repository, and Object Store, but not the Data Store. Basically, Secondary Servers are mirrors of the Primary Server.

The ZENworks services and Object Store are added to a Secondary Server during installation and configuration of the ZENworks software. Packages are automatically replicated from the ZENworks Primary Server to all Secondary Servers based upon a schedule you can control (see Replicating Content in the ZENworks Management Zone in the Novell ZENworks 7.2 Linux Management Administration Guide). Like the Primary Server, a Secondary Server must have access to the Data Store, whether the Data Store is located on the Primary Server or on another server.

Managed Device

A managed device is a server or workstation that you want to manage using ZENworks. The ZENworks Agent must be installed on each device. The ZENworks Agent communicates with the ZENworks Server to enable delivery of software packages, enforcement of configuration policies, inventorying of hardware and software, and remote management of the device.

ZENworks Management Zone

A ZENworks Management Zone consists of one ZENworks Primary Server and one or more managed devices. In addition, the Management Zone can include one or more ZENworks Secondary Servers if required. The ZENworks Servers in the zone work together to manage the devices in the zone.

If necessary, you can have more than one ZENworks Management Zone. There are two main reasons for having multiple zones: 1) you have managed devices that are separated from your ZENworks Servers by a slow WAN link, or 2) you need to have autonomous zones for administrative purposes. These reasons are discussed in more detail in Section 6.0, Installing a ZENworks Secondary Server.

Information is not automatically shared between ZENworks Management Zones. However, you can use the zlmmirror utility to copy software catalogs, bundles, or packages from one Zone’s Primary Server to another zone’s Primary Server. The zlmmirror utility can also be used to pull catalogs, bundles, and packages from the following servers: Dell FTP, YaST Online Updates, Red Hat Network, Red Carpet® Enterprise™, ZENworks 6.x Linux Management, or Novell Updates. For more information, see Mirroring Software in the Novell ZENworks 7.2 Linux Management Administration Guide.