Help a bonehead - ZfD server modules for desktop agents?

Question

Ok guys, I have to be honest I was really versed on ZfD but it has been a good number of years since I've really touched it. Here is what is going on, we are migrating fully to OES2 SLES10/OES11 and removing all our Netware servers over time. We are at a point where we can retire 2 of our 3 remaining Netware servers if ZfD doesn't require them. We are in the process of also going to Windows 7 on all workstations, we'll use ZCM 11 for them. Here is my question....
What does the Windows Desktop Agents rely on for user related policies? Does it connect to eDirectory directly and read the policies? In other words we have Windows XP Pro workstations running the ZFD Agents. We are only are using the user associated policies for DLU(mandatory remaining profiles) and user associated group policies. We'd like to keep these running and if memory serves they don't call any specific NLMs on the Netware servers, they just read eDirectory for their information.
Is this correct? Please be kind, my ZfD 7 knowledge is simply fading away. Thanks.
-Nyle

Answer 1

Thanks Craig,
I really appreciate the confirmation. That is what I had thought but you know what assuming does. We aren't using any software bundles or Workstation assigned policies only user policies so it sounds like we should be good to go.
Only one more Netware 6.5sp8 server to go, I'm kind of sad to see the end of such a reliable legacy. I hope that Novell can infect the Linux side of the house with the idea that with power, management complexity doesn't have to be the norm. 8^D
-Nyle
Originally Posted by craig_wilson
It's possible to get by without ANY server side components.
The two main server functions are the Inventory Server and Workstation
Import Service.
If you are not worried about Inventory, then the Inventory Server does
not matter.
Workstation Import Service is not required, though not having it is a
slightly larger issue. There are two main things you lose if the WS is
not imported.
#1 - You cannot assign Bundles/Policies directly to Devices, only uses.
Duh :>
#2 - The System Account will not have any File Rights for running User
Associated Bundles set to run as System Directly from a Network share.
However, you could run the bundle as Logged on User or 1st copy the
files local and then run an install as System.
On 7/6/2012 3:26 PM, nlandas wrote:
>
> Ok guys, I have to be honest I was really versed on ZfD but it has been
> a good number of years since I've really touched it. Here is what is
> going on, we are migrating fully to OES2 SLES10/OES11 and removing all
> our Netware servers over time. We are at a point where we can retire 2
> of our 3 remaining Netware servers if ZfD doesn't require them. We are
> in the process of also going to Windows 7 on all workstations, we'll use
> ZCM 11 for them. Here is my question....
>
> What does the Windows Desktop Agents rely on for user related policies?
> Does it connect to eDirectory directly and read the policies? In other
> words we have Windows XP Pro workstations running the ZFD Agents. We are
> only are using the user associated policies for DLU(mandatory remaining
> profiles) and user associated group policies. We'd like to keep these
> running and if memory serves they don't call any specific NLMs on the
> Netware servers, they just read eDirectory for their information.
>
> Is this correct? Please be kind, my ZfD 7 knowledge is simply fading
> away. Thanks.
>
> -Nyle
>
>
Craig Wilson - MCNE, MCSE, CCNA
Novell Knowledge Partner
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Suggestions/Opinions/Statements made by me are solely my own.
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