avoiding common novell zenworks configuration management implementation pitfalls
DESCRIPTION
Migrations and deployments aren't always straightforward and training and manuals don't always provide all the information needed for a successful deployment. In this session, you will learn the top 10 implementation pitfalls encountered in dozens of Novell ZENworks Configuration Management customer installations—and how to avoid them. The session will also cover deployment and ongoing maintenance tips, to enable you to do it right the first time!TRANSCRIPT
Avoiding Common Novell® ZENworks® Configuration Management Implementation Pitfalls
Ryan KensrudSenior Technology SpecialistNovell, Inc./[email protected]
© Novell, Inc. All rights reserved.2
Agenda
Introductions
Top 10 pitfalls
Questions and Answers
Introduction
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Introductions
• Who am I?
• Reviewing those items if done correctly that make an implementation go smoothly. If they are not done correctly they present major pitfalls to a Novell® ZENworks® Configuration Management implementation.
• Top ten list from least to most critical
• Products to be talked about
– ZENworks® Configuration Manager, ZENworks Application Virtualization and ZENworks Asset Management
Top Ten Pitfalls to Avoid
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10 - OS Choice
• Your choice of OS for the ZENworks® Configuration Management servers can affect the implementation
– Choose the flavor your team has experience with
– Do not use a ZCM implementation as a foray into Linux
– Make sure to use a supported OS platform
> Windows 2k3, 2k8 both 32 and 64 bit versions
> Linux SUSE® Linux Enterprise Server 10 and 11 both 32 and 64 bit versions, OES 2
– Look at using Virtualization for the OS
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9 - Training
• Training on ZENworks® Configuration Management is very important to the success of the implementation
– Get training ahead of implementation
– Use classroom or study materials
– Build a lab to install ZCM in for testing and learning
– Use Virtualization for Lab servers to save on costs
– Match OS and Database choice to production
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8 - Certificate Choice
ZENworks® Configuration Management can use either a self signed certificates or an external certificate. There is not a bad choice with either, it just needs to be a long term choice since changing from one to the other will result in needing to install new agents to all managed devices.
– Make the choice and make sure you have all parties buy in on the decision
– This needs to be the long term choice
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7 - User Source Choice
• LDAP user source choice
– Can use eDirectory™ or AD
– Needs to be an enterprise tree to be most effective
> Contains OU structure
> Not flat
– Look to assigning content (applications and policies) via group and folder assignments
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6 - Database Choice
Make sure and use a supported Database platform
– Sybase Version 10.0.1
– MS SQL 2005
– Oracle 10g Version 10.2.0.1.0
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5 - Migration Planning
Important step to minimize the impact of the migration to ZENworks® Configuration Management
– Use hardware replacement as a migration point– Use new desktop OS as migration point– Abandon the current management practices with old
hardware or OS– If staying with current OS do not change how locked down
the OS is– Roll out in manageable groups of devices– Perform lots of testing prior to production roll outs
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4 - Executive Buy In
• Get executive buy in before rolling anything out to end users
– Especially true if deploying a secured desktop
– Minimizes risk of end user push back
– Develop success criteria as part of buy in
– Use success criteria as project goals
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3 - Organizational Policies
• Get the acceptable use policies in place prior to locking down desktops
– Technology should be enforcing organizational policies
– Examples of organizational policies> Acceptable computer use
> Software installation
> Remote access
– Once organizational policies are in place you can use ZENworks® Configuration Management and Endpoint management to secure the desktops
– Use a change in OS as a good time to further lock downa desktop
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2 - Application Readiness
• Prior to deployment the applications need to be packaged and organized for deployment
– Start this process early, can be before deployment of ZENworks® Configuration Management core infrastructure
– Use inventory tools to gather information on what is currently deployed, what version, how many, and to whom
– Make sure current App versions are supported on new OS if deploying ZCM on new OS
– Create prioritized list for packaging– Deploy new apps in staged approach– App Virtualization can help some common app deployment
hurdles
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1 - Capacity Planning
• Improper capacity planning can severely impact the implementation– Understand numbers of currently deployed devices– Look to management for potential growth numbers– Critical for Database choice– Critical for server sizing and numbers– ZENworks® Configuration Management can grow very easily if good
choices made around Database in the beginning– Use DNS names for accessing your servers– Look at using Virtualization or Platespin® to assist in making changes if
not where it needs to be– Use “Best Practice and scalability doc” for guidelines
Questions and Answers
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Information Sources
• Good sources of information to help plan your deployment
– Documentation - http://www.novell.com/documentation/zcm10/ – Best Practices Guide -
http://www.novell.com/documentation/zcm10/zcm10_deployment_bp/?page=/documentation/zcm10/zcm10_deployment_bp/data/
– App Deploy - http://www.appdeploy.com/– Admin Studio -
http://www.flexerasoftware.com/products/adminstudio/features.htm– Novell® Training - http://www.novell.com/training/ – Novell® Self Study Training -
http://www.novell.com/training/courseware/ts_proj_info.jsp?pid=20402
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