ZENworks

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ZENworks Configuration Management
Developer(s)OpenText
Stable release
2020[1] / 2 April 2020; 3 years ago (2020-04-02)
Operating systemCross-platform
TypeSystems management
LicenseProprietary
Websitewww.microfocus.com/products/zenworks/configuration-management/

ZENworks, a suite of software products developed and maintained by OpenText for computer systems management, aims to manage the entire life cycle of servers, of desktop PCs (Windows, Linux or Mac), of laptops, and of handheld devices such as Android and iOS mobile phones and tablets. As of 2011 Novell planned to include Full Disk Encryption (FDE) functionality within ZENworks.[2] ZENworks supports multiple server platforms and multiple directory services.[3]

History[edit]

The name, "ZENworks", first appeared as "Z.E.N.works" in 1998 with ZENworks 1.0[4] and with ZENworks Starter Pack - a limited version of ZENworks 1.0 that came bundled with NetWare 5.0 (1998). Novell added server-management functionality, and the product grew into a suite consisting of:

  • "ZENworks for Desktops" (ZfD)
  • "ZENworks for Servers" (ZfS)
  • "ZENworks for Handhelds" (ZfH)

Novell has continued to add components to the suite, which it sells under the consolidated name "ZENworks Suite".

The initial ZENworks products had a tight integration with Novell Directory Service (NDS). With the release of ZENworks Configuration Management 10 (2007) the product architecture completely changed, the product became directory agnostic and ZENworks Suite products were integrated into a single management framework.

ZENworks Releases:

Product Version Release Date Notes
Novell Application Launcher (NAL) 1 1996 Pre-ZENworks
Z.E.N.works 1.0 18 May 1998 Initial release
Z.E.N.works 1.1 16 Nov 1998
Z.E.N.works Starter Pack 16 Nov 1998
ZENworks 2 28 Jun 1999
ZENworks for Servers 1 7 Mar 2000
ZENworks for Desktops 3 22 Aug 2000
ZENworks for Servers 2 31 Jan 2001
ZENworks for Desktops 3.2 13 Aug 2001
ZENworks for Servers 3 3 Apr 2002
ZENworks for Desktops 4 27 Aug 2002
ZENworks for Desktops 4.0.1 14 Apr 2002
ZENworks Suite 6 14 Apr 2003 Version number jumped to version 6 as the ZENworks Suite merged ZFD 4, ZFS 3 and ZFH 5
ZENworks Suite 6.5 3 Jun 2004
ZENworks Suite 7 26 Aug 2005
ZENworks Configuration Management 10 21 Sep 2007 First release of new architecture, version 10 as ZENworks existed for 10 years
ZENworks Configuration Management 10.1 28 Jan 2009
ZENworks Configuration Management 10.2 2 Jan 2010
ZENworks Configuration Management 10.3 6 Apr 2012
ZENworks Configuration Management 11 5 Jan 2011
ZENworks Configuration Management 11.1 8 Nov 2011
ZENworks Configuration Management 11.2 13 Dec 2012 Full Disk Encryption
ZENworks Configuration Management 11.3 9 Jul 2013
ZENworks Configuration Management 11.4 Jul 2015
ZENworks Configuration Management 2017 Dec 2016 Integration of Mobile Device Management
ZENworks Configuration Management 2017 Update 1 11 Jul 2017
ZENworks Configuration Management 2017 Update 2 24 Jan 2018
ZENworks Configuration Management 2017 Update 3 16 Aug 2018
ZENworks Configuration Management 2017 Update 4 Jan 2019
ZENworks Configuration Management 2020 Sep 2019
ZENworks Configuration Management 2020 Update 1 Apr 2020 Patching and tracking CVEs
ZENworks Configuration Management 2020 Update 2 Aug 2021 Includes Antimalware

Elements of the ZENworks Suite[edit]

In the latest version of ZENworks known as ZENworks 2017 the ZENworks Suite consists of seven individual products:

ZENworks Suite
(March 2017)
ZENworks Suite / Platform Product
ZENworks Suite ZENworks 2017 Platform ZENworks Asset Management
ZENworks Configuration Management
ZENworks Endpoint Security Management
ZENworks Full Disk Encryption
ZENworks Mobile Device Management
ZENworks Patch Management
ZENworks Application Virtualization
Micro Focus Service Desk (Incident Management Edition)

Additionally, Novell offers an ITIL version of "Novell Service Desk". This version is ITIL-certified by PinkVERIFY and supports ten ITIL v3 processes, e.g. Change, Incident, Problem and Service Level Management.[5]

In terms of implementation, the ZENworks Agent (also known as the "ZENworks Management Daemon" or "zmd") installs, updates and removes software.[6] The ZENworks Configuration Management (ZCM) addresses patching, endpoint security, asset management and provisioning.[7]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Micro Focus ZENworks 2020 Update 1 is Now Available!".
  2. ^ "SECUDE Provides Full Disk Encryption Capability to Novell ZENworks". Media Syndicate. MediaSyndicate.com. 2011-11-18. Retrieved 2014-11-05. Novell will integrate and distribute SECUDE's Full Disk Encryption technology to its enterprise customers and prospects under the Novell ZENworks brand.
  3. ^ "Novell Doc: ZENworks 11 SP2 Installation Guide - System Requirements". Novell. 2012-04-20.
  4. ^ Heskett, Ben (1998-02-11). "Novell Z.E.N. enlightens desktops". CNET News. Retrieved 2010-08-03. The company [...] will release an open beta version of its Z.E.N.works (Zero Effort Networks) software suite next month [...], with final shipment due in the second quarter.
  5. ^ "Novell ZENworks Frequently Asked Questions. What's the difference between the incident management version and the ITIL version of Novell Service Desk?". novell.com. 2015. Retrieved 2015-08-12.
  6. ^ "ZENworks 7.2 Linux Management Administration Guide". Novell Doc. Novell. Retrieved 2014-06-11. The ZENworks Agent [...] sometimes referred to as the ZENworks Management Daemon (zmd) [...] performs software management functions on the ZENworks managed device, including updating, installing, and removing software and performing basic queries of the device's package management database.
  7. ^ Robison, Christopher C.; Broussard, Frederick W. (August 2007). "New Novell Release: ZENworks Configuration Management" (PDF). PC and Device Management Software: Event Flash. Framingham, Massachusetts, USA: IDC. Retrieved 2015-01-15. On August 14, Novell announced the worldwide availability of ZENworks Configuration Management (ZCM). Novell is adding ZENworks Configuration Management to its stable of configuration management products. This new product has integrated patch, endpoint security, and asset management as well as the ability to provision desktops and single servers.

Further reading[edit]

External links[edit]