ZENworks/ZCM:ZENworks Configuration Management 10

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Contents

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WHAT IS ZCM

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OVERVIEW

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BASIC CONCEPTS


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Bundles

In ZCM 10 application objects (and images) have been replaced with bundles . For those of us that are new to ZENworks, Bundles are a compilation of files, scripts, or actions that should be performed. These actions could be performed when a user authentications to a workstation, when a workstation boots, or when a user clicks a icon.


Troubleshooting information can be found at ZCM Bundle Troubleshooting

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BASIC INSTALLATION

Intallation and deployment of Brimstone are two separate distinct administrative activities.

Typically installation is only required once within any Management Zone to establish the first Primary Server. Once this activity is completed the process of expanding the Management Zone is done using deployment tasks accessed from the ZENworks Control Center (ZCC).

Installation results in the creation of the first Primary Server in a particular Management Zone. This is done by executing an installation process available on DVD or download.

The installation process performs the following operations: 

   * Copies all programs and files to the local server for that server to function as a Primary Server.
   * Starts all processes found on a Primary Server.
   * Copies all programs and files to the local server for that server to become a Managed Device.
   * Start all processes for the server to become a Managed Device.
   * Copies all files required for future installation of any other Zone Server and/or Managed Device.

After the installation process is complete the media used to perform the installation is no longer required for that Management Zone.

On the installation server, insert the Novell ZENworks 10 Configuration Management with SP1 installation DVD.

For Windows, the installation page where you can select the language is displayed. If it is not automatically displayed after inserting the DVD, run setup.exe from the root of the DVD.

For Linux, mount the DVD, then run sh /media/cdrom/setup.sh.Using the sh command resolves rights issues.

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INFORMATION and NOTES


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User Sources

Multiple LDAP servers can be configured for a single Directory. The directory would be Active Directory or eDirectory. Multiple LDAP servers allow for load balance and fault tolerance.

Novell has included a sample configuration file. Please see ZCM User Sources for more information and troubleshooting information.


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Database Information

Database authentication information can be found in the following places. This is the information that ZCM uses to authenticate to the external database.

Linux 

/etc/opt/novell/zenworks/datamodel/dmaccounts.properties


Additional information, troubleshooting, moving databases, etc. Can be find Here


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Imaging


How to modify, split, and interact with OS images created by ZCM can be found at ZCM Image Explorer


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Image Safe Data

As in previous version of ZENWorks, utilies are provided both for the command-line and the Windows GUI to clear or edit the image safe data. Some of you may not know, so I will explain the Image safe Data. Image Safe Data, sometimes referred to as ZENworks Image Safe Data (ZISD), stores information about the device and it's location in eDirectory(ZFD7x and older) or ZCM management system. The information contains device name, IP address information, and GUID information.

See more information about Image Safe Data Here


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File Locations of Useful Programs

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Image Boot CD

This CD Image can be used to boot into imaging instead of using PXE Boot.

  • Windows 
"\Program Files\Novell\ZENworks\bin\preboot\bootcd.iso"
  • Linux 
"/opt/novell/zenworks/zdm/winutils/bootcd.iso"
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ZEN Cache, Bundle Cache

The ZEN Cache holds information about bundles and settings. In the ZDM days, this was known as the NALCACHE. This directory exists on every managed device. 

"C:\Program Files\Novell\ZENworks\cache\zmd\ZenCache"
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Inventory

I cannot say enough about ZCM Inventory functionality

I suppose I should say something about it then, if it's so great.

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Collecting Information for Local Products

ZCM Inventory contains functionality to collect information about files and programs that Novell does not know about. With this information products can be created to better manage this information. These Local Products become inventory information like "Microsoft Office", "Microsoft Excel".


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Custom Inventory Attributes

Please view the following PDF which outlines how to customize and auto-fill some of the default attributes of workstations or users.

[Cool Solution ZCM custom inventory attribute]

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Server-Backend Configuration Options


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You can control the address that the ZCM server listens on

By Default, the ZCM server listens on all IP addresses bound to the server Host. By modifying the server.xml configuration file and adding an address="IP_address" option, the ZCM server will only listen to this address.

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LOGS and TROUBLESHOOTING


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Server-Side Logs Loader Logs

The loader handles almost all messages and acts as the primary service for most all functions.

On Linux, the loader-messages.log is located here 

/var/opt/novell/log/zenworks/loader-messages.log

ON Windows, The Loader-messages.log is located here 

Program Files\Novell\Zenworks\logs\loader-messages.log


Explanation and Notes about Loader Message Logs


I thought I would compile a page with log entries and the resolution associated. Hopefully it would help with tracking issues and understand what's being logged.


Compiled ZCM errors from Logs


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Discovery and Deployment Tasks

conf\loader there's a

discovery xml file - in there, change INFO to FINEST, then restart the

loader process. you should get messages in the loader log...


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Adaptive Agent

Controls all communication between the workstation and server. In ZFD days, the agent was called zfdagent. Or ZENworks NAL Agent.

Adaptive Agent Information


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Troubleshooting Bundles


List all bundles first, so we can see the path to the bundle and the bundle name 

zman bl --host ZCM_host -U admin_user -P admin_password

Export the Bundle to an XML file 

zman bundle-export-to-file /Bundles/BUNDLE_NAME bundle_name.xml --host ZCM_host -U admin_user -P admin_password


Additional information can be found at ZCM Bundle Troubleshooting


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Inventory

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FAQ and Technical Documents

I usually hate these type of sections, FAQ are usually worthless, but I thought I would list TIDs in this section for a lot of common things. It will probably become long and useless also.

  • 3633799: Cannot do text file or ini file updates as logged-in user
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