Zen for Desktops 4.0.1 installation 1

[LawnBoy]

We bought Zfd 4.0.1, and I'm trying to figure out what I need to install it. I've read through the documentation and I dearly hope that I'm not understanding the prerequisites.

As I read it:
I can't load any part of zfd4 on either of my hot new NW6.5 servers. This really blows.

I can load the server and middle tier components on the same W2K server running <shudder> IIS.

I can load the server on NW6.0 and the middle tier on W2K running <ick, ptooey> IIS.

I can load the server on NW6.0 and the middle tier on another NW6.0 running Apache.

Please, somebody tell me I can load it all on NW6.5...

 

[marvhuffaker]

I've found that most incompatibilities between Zen and any server version is very minor, only affecting one or two single components. Most likely, everything will run fine and you will need to install a patch to make it work correctly on NW6.5. The thing that comes to mind is inventory service and perhaps the import/removal policies that run on Java. But I have not installed it on NW6.5, so I haven't read the docs either.

If you look at the differences between Netware 6.0 and NetWare 6.5, there are a few key areas that could affect ZEN..

Tomcat -- NW6 - Tomcat 3x. NW6.5 - Tomcat 4.
Java - most likely different unless you've patched the NW6.0 box
Apache -- NW6.5 uses full apache 2.x while NW6.0 uses Novonyx and Apache 1.2.

Other than those, the servers are pretty much the same. So any incompatibility will be on services that rely on those components.

I would recommend looking closer at the docs and doing research on the NOvell forums, find out what specific components break on NW6.5, and find out if you can find a solution. I'm guessing that you are reading original release documetation and a patch has since been released to work around the problems.

Marvin Huffaker MCNE, CNE
Marvin Huffaker Consulting

http://www.redjuju.com

 

[LawnBoy]

I've been through the release notes for zfd4 patches and I don't see anything that affects platform choices. I'm hoping I've overlooked something.

Running the middle tier (web) server on 6.5 is specifically prohibited, due to the reasons you listed.

You're probably right, the best place for this is the Novell forums.

Thanks.

 

[ITsmyfault]

I am running Zen 4.0.1 on NW 6.5 so here are some real world observations..
Don't despair.. only piece that does not run on 6.5 is the middle tier (which is a PITA, but should soon be fixed to run on Apache) Of course, patchmanagement (in Zen 6.5) also only runs on IIS.. (bleah!) but that also is on the road to being addressed. Have faith. I don't miss the middle tier bc I use the client on all internal workstations and can wait before I start managing everyone's home PC.

Meanwhile I have all other agents up and running on 6.5. PXE was the hardest to get going on my cluster for two reasons:
1 - I clustered DHCP, and depending on where DHCP is, you either use DHCP Option60, or not. Make sure you understand your config and then plan failover mapping appropriately. This had me chasing my tail for a while I am ashamed to say.
2 - The Posix subsystem (PKernel) portmapper interferes with the Zen portmapper so you can't run NFAU on the same box with pre-boot services. On my cluster it was not a big deal, I run NFAU from the other nodes and dedicate a single node to PXE. YMMV.
3 - If you have any kind of redundant or load sharing NIC setup, disable it to get PXE working reliably. I have not done exaustive testing, but did find various vendor MP solutions broke the PXE process. (probably due to different MAC's talking part in the same transaction)

Inventory, remote control, app distribution etc all seem to work fine.
Just FWIW Zen 6.5 does not run clustered yet, so be aware. I'm staying on 4.0.1 until it is a bit more polished.

hth - Joe

 

[LawnBoy]

That's some welcome news. In particular,
"Inventory, remote control, app distribution etc all seem to work fine."
is just what I wanted to hear.

Thanks.

 

[ITsmyfault]

1 thing I just learned today is that w/ C1 v1.3.6 there are some snapin issues with Zen 4.0.1 so stay with 1.3.5 (or keep a copy around) to manage Zen. In particular, if you go to a container object properties, and the go to Zenworks-->Launcher configuration, it will come up blank. An issue if you need to configure it..
Also, if you like writing custom reports in Crystal, there is a decent article about how to write Crystals against the Sybase/Zen database in the Oct 2003 edition of Novell Appnotes (availble for free online)
hth and good luck with your rollout!
- Joe

 

[LawnBoy]

Thanks for the info. Since I leapfrogged from NW5.0 to NW6.5, I don't have C1 v1.3.5, only v1.3.6. How can I lay hands on v1.3.5?

 

[LawnBoy]

Nevermind, there's a copy of C1 v1.3.5 on the companion CD.
Thanks.