Location change not detected when connected over 3G

  • 7012413
  • 14-May-2013
  • 04-Jun-2013

Environment

Novell ZENworks Configuration Management 11.2
Novell ZENworks Configuration Management 11.2.1
Novell ZENworks Configuration Management 11.2.2
Novell ZENworks Configuration Management 11.2.3a

Situation

The correct location configuration is not detected when a device connects to the ZENworks zone over a 3G connection.

Resolution

A fix for this issue is intended to be included in a future update to the product: however, in the interim, Novell has made a Patch available for testing, as part of a Monthly patch update: it can be obtained at https://download.novell.com/Download?buildid=s5zcEae9xcI~ as "ZCM 11.2.3a Monthly Update 1 - see TID 7012025". This update should only be applied if the symptoms above are being experienced, and are causing problems.

Please report any problems encountered when using this Patch, by using the feedback link on this TID.

Cause

Many 3G cards have the ability to use the card either as a modem interface or as an Ethernet card interface on Windows.
Some allow for the user to choose, others are dictated by the OS version, Internet Service Provider and hardware. In this case the 3G card is detected as a normal ethernet card: the required match must NOT be on the phonebook entry, as this will not be used in that case.

For a lot of newer 3G cards Windows does not correctly identify the 3G card and therefore the Location Decider does not identify the card resulting in a failed location change.