New ZENworks: sys admin boys are happy

Novell reckons upgrade times will be slashed by 96%

By Kieren McCarthy • Get more from this author

Posted in Software, 1st February 2001 16:32 GMT

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Novell has kicked out a beta for ZENworks for Servers 2 featuring improved server management, namely that NetWare support packs can be installed automatically, so saving sys admin loads of time and making the world a better place.

However, not only will the backroom boys have more time to deal with ignorant end users but execs will be able to yabber on in management speak about leveraging and advantages and all that stuff because by not having to install service packs manually, the whole system will be more efficient - and that means money saved.

Novell reckons it will shorten the time for upgrades by 96 per cent. That seems a little generous but the point is still made. Admin will now only have to install software or images on one server and they will be fed around the rest of the network and delivered to different OSes.

This version of ZENworks for Servers 2 is free to existing customers and the beta version is available here. The finished version will be out mid-March apparently and will be put up for download on Novell's download site unsurprisingly. If you're not a licence holder, you won't know that everyone else pays $59 a user or $3,000 a server. ®

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