Novell Client-Free ZENworks for Desktops 4 Beta Released
Several weeks after a planned late-May release, Novell has announced public availability of the ZENworks for Desktops 4 beta. Zenworks is no longer dependent on the Novell client to manage a workstation.
Several weeks after a planned late-May release, Novell has announced public availability of the Novell ZENworks for Desktops 4 beta. In keeping with other recent developments in the company's product line, Zenworks is no longer dependent on the Novell client to manage a workstation.
According to Novell, ZENworks for Desktops features PXE (Preboot Execution Environment) functionality that allows a workstation to be booted and managed before the workstation operating system starts. The product can also be used in combination with ZENworks for Servers and ZENworks for Handhelds to bring systems built around Windows, Linux, Solaris and Novell NetWare into a single policy-based, management interface.
Additional features of Zenworks for Desktops include automatic restart of interrupted data delivery as soon as a user reconnects and transparent problem detection and correction when a user is disconnected. According to the company, ZENworks uses an intelligent agent that transparently adapts to the changing network environments of the mobile user. The agent automatically negotiates barriers such as low bandwidth.
ZENworks for Desktops 4 no longer requires the Novell client to be installed on managed workstations. According to the company, administrators will be able to distribute, configure, update and troubleshoot workstations via the Internet, whether inside or outside corporate firewalls without requiring users to launch a VPN client.
Novell ZENworks for Desktops 4 is built on Internet standards and automates key network management tasks, letting IT professionals manage their workstations more effectively with less work so they can focus on initiatives strategic to the organization. No longer dependent on the Novell client to manage a workstation, ZENworks for Desktops 4 is another key Novell solution that works across all leading operating systems, letting organizations use what they have more efficiently, rather than being forced into expensive infrastructure purchases.
Customers, partners and solution providers can order the public beta and obtain more information about ZENworks for Desktops 4 by visiting http://www.novell.com/products/zenworks. Pricing and general availability of ZENworks for Desktops 4 will be announced at a later date.
