Distributing Software

ZENworks Configuration Management provides great flexibility in distributing software. You can distribute applications and individual files, or simply make modifications to existing files on a device.

Software is distributed though the use of bundles. A bundle consists of all the files, configuration settings, installation instructions, and so forth required to deploy and manage the application or files on a device. There are four types of bundles you can create:

Directive Bundle: Performs one or more actions on a device. For example, you can use a Directive bundle to edit a Windows* INI file or text file. You can run a script, start or stop a service, or delete a file. In addition, the bundle can include multiple actions to perform.
File Bundle: Copies or installs files or directories to a device. For example, you can use a File bundle to include configuration files or data files. A File bundle is useful to distribute files that are not part of a Windows bundle.
Imaging Bundle: Performs operations before the operating system boots. The various Imaging bundle types let you install images on one or more devices, or run ZENworks scripts containing any commands that you can issue from the imaging bash prompt.
Personality Bundle: Collects and stores the personality of one or more users on a Windows^* managed device to a personality file on the local or network path, or applies the personality to the users on the managed device from a stored personality file.
Windows Bundle: Distributes a Microsoft* Windows* Installer (MSI) package, Microsoft Windows Software Patch (MSP) package, thin-client application, or other Windows-based applications to a Windows device.

The software included with a bundle is uploaded to the ZENworks Server repository. This enables the ZENworks Server and ZENworks Adaptive Agent to distribute the software without requiring access to any other network locations.

To create a software bundle, you use the Create New Bundle Wizard. In addition to helping you create the bundle, the wizard also lets you assign it to devices and users and create distribution, launch, and availability schedules.

In ZENworks Control Center, click the Bundles tab.
In the Bundles panel, click New > Bundle to launch the Create New Bundle Wizard.
Follow the prompts to create, assign, and schedule the bundle. Click the Help button on each wizard page for detailed information about the page.

When you complete the wizard, the bundle is added to the Bundles panel. You can click the bundle to view the bundle’s details and modify assignments, schedules, and so forth.

For more information about distributing software, see the ZENworks 10 Configuration Management Software Distribution Reference.