8.0 ZENworks Configuration Management Introduction

ZENworks Configuration Management is a component of a solution portfolio that provides centralized patch management together with configuration management, imaging functions, reporting functions, and Linux server and workstation remote management.

Patch management involves obtaining patches from external sources (Novell, Red Hat Network, or others) and distributing them to servers or workstations internal to the company. To mirror the patches from Novell or Red Hat mirror servers, an appropriate registration code from the supplier must be available. In-house applications and patches can also be managed and distributed by using ZENworks Configuration Management.

Patches can either be distributed by a push process (distribution of patches predetermined by the ZCM server) or by a pull process (installation of patches controlled by the ZENworks Configuration Management agent component from the server being patched).

Imaging makes the Image and Restore functions available for partitions or whole hard drives. Imaging and Restore can follow specific policies automatically or can be performed manually. In addition to the standardized processes, scripted Image and Restore solutions can also be set up with ZENworks Configuration Management.

In addition to patch management via RPM packages, ZENworks Configuration Management has the ability to deploy configuration files or archives. Several actions can be combined with remote execution of binary files, scripts, or Java applications on the devices to be managed.

Novell Consulting has developed a methodology to configure and manage SUSE Linux Enterprise Servers (SLES) and Open Enterprise (OES) servers by using the ZENworks Configuration Management framework.

Special attention has been given to questions that arise in every project situation, such as:

  • How to manage different patch levels (frozen patch level)

  • How to manage different staging areas such as test, development, and production

  • How different or unique configuration settings can be managed across many servers

  • Which mechanisms are available to remotely execute tasks on one or more devices

In ZENworks Configuration Management, a Management Zone consists of one or more Primary Servers, optional Satellite Servers, and manageable devices (Windows or Linux).

Because managing Linux servers in typical environments is easily achieved with a single Primary Server, this document does not cover ZENworks Configuration Management environments with multiple Primary Servers. More details on such designs can be found in the System Planning, Deployment, and Best Practices Guide and corresponding TIDs.

Nor does this document cover how to install or configure ZENworks Configuration Management on operating systems other than SLES. An overview of operating systems that are suitable as ZCM servers is found “Primary Server Requirements” in the ZENworks 11 SP2 Server Installation Guide.