18.0 Installing in a Windows Network Environment

Novell® ZENworks® operates on Windows workstations regardless of the server environment in your network. Desktop Management functions in any IP network running Novell eDirectory™, including networks with Windows 2000/2003 servers, or with NetWare® 6.x servers, or a combination of both of these.

Traditionally, ZENworks has been deployed in a NetWare or in a mixed NetWare and Windows environment. Early versions of ZENworks were dependent on many of the features and capabilities that existed only in a LAN based on NetWare. As the product has matured, however, features have evolved that allow ZENworks 7 to provide significant functionality in a non-mixed Windows network environment.

Figure 18-1 ZENworks Desktop Management Components Deployed in an Active Directory Domain

ZENworks Desktop Management deployed in an Active Directory Domain.

As shown in the illustration above, ZENworks can be deployed into an Active Directory domain, providing ZENworks services through Windows 2003 servers and an IIS Web server. You can continue to administer user accounts through the domain while you administer applications, desktops, and policies using eDirectory as a repository independent of Active Directory.

ZENworks 7 ships other Novell products that let you synchronize your users and passwords between Active Directory (or NT Domains) and the eDirectory ZENworks repository. ZENworks is agent-based and does not require the Novell Client™ to be installed on user workstations or laptops. ZENworks authenticates to eDirectory and retrieves applications and policies, delivering them to user desktops using a browser, the Windows Start Menu, an application window, or desktop icons.

Significant differences exist in the installation of ZENworks 7 Desktop Management for a Windows environment and the installation of ZENworks 7 Desktop Management with SP1 for a Windows environment. The following sections are included for your use as you install either of these versions: