* A book about ZENworks and another about Linux and open source
While I was at BrainShare a couple of weeks ago, I did come across two things that you really should consider adding to your arsenal of tools. It was two new books from Novell Press that belong on your desk, open and being read, and not in your bookcase.
When it comes to applications and services, it’s my opinion that the shiniest jewel in the Novell crown is ZENworks. Since 1997 (when it was introduced as Z.E.N.works, interpreted as “zero effort networks”) ZENworks has been an unqualified success. Late this year, ZENworks for Linux Management will join ZENworks for Desktop Management, ZENworks for Server Management, and ZENworks for Handheld Management as part of the yet to be released ZENworks Suite 7.
Those of you with the current offering, ZENworks Suite 6.5, know (at least conceptually) how easy it is to manage your entire Novell network with the tools. At least, it would be if you knew all that the tools could do for you. What you need, my friend, is the “ZENworks 6.5 Suite Administrator’s Handbook” available now from a bookstore near you.
This massive (over 1,000 pages) tome covers everything from the most basic questions (“What is ZENworks Server Management?”) to a detailed listing of the database schema for all of the products for those who enjoy getting under the hood and tweaking the engine. Along the way, it explains everything you need to know in detailed steps while avoiding jargon as much as possible. More details are available at the Novell Press Web site (https://www.novell.com/training/books/book.html?book=bookAdm&val=9).
The second book is one you’ll want to have handy while you plan your move to Open Enterprise Server (OES). It’s called “Expanding Choice: Moving to Linux and Open Source with Novell Open Enterprise Server,” quite a handle for this slim (approx. 250 page) volume! This isn’t a book on how to run OES. In fact, “Installing OES” doesn’t show up until chapter 6 of this 7-chapter book. What it does do is explores the background of Linux, the open source movement and NetWare and show how this all coalesced into OES. It also discusses the benefits and risks, pros and cons of open source then goes into a detailed blueprint for using open source (and Linux) in “the Real World” – which, to the authors, seems to equate to the business world.
This is then all tied together into a discussion of the creation of OES before going on to look at actually installing and running OES in your enterprise.
This is a great book for the network-technology-aware person who may not be totally familiar with open source and Linux. Its explanation of all the myriad open source licensing models is well worth the cover price. See the details at the Novell Press Web site (https://www.novell.com/training/books/book.html?book=bookCrt&val=3).
