Expanded system information   The client can send hardware, software, and 

system information to the server.

Using Zenworks Linux management it is possible to remote manage software 

distribution to a large number of clients. Using the group and set functions, these 

client do not all have to be similar. Although a lot of the interface and commands 

still have Red Carpet Enterprise (RCE) embedded in them, it is clear that Linux 

management is going to be integrated in the Zenworks suite.

More information about Zenworks 6.5 Linux management can be found at:

http://www.novell.com/documentation/zenworks65/index.html

More information can also be found in  ZENworks Linux management  on 

page 186.

4.6  Desktop vs. notebook considerations

While looking at differences between desktops and notebooks, not only the 

included hardware pieces will differ, but the way of working might be different, 

too. Users of notebooks are considered to be working offline and therefore need 

to be able to synchronize their data once they are back online. Another topic in 

this relation is remote connectivity through wired or wireless networks.

But not only the hardware should support working in disconnected mode; the 

software should also have mechanisms necessary to adapt to the current 

connection type if necessary. 

Planning tip:

 Notebook computer users are very likely to fall into the 

advanced end of the client functional segmentation shown in Figure 4 6 on 

page 66. Because of this, migrating notebook users will always require an 

extra level of technical planning, both for hardware compatibility issues as well 

as application migration.

4.6.1  Hardware considerations

Talking about hardware support in Linux, it is first important to state that this has 

improved a lot in the last years. More manufacturers see the rising distribution 

and use of Linux both in private and in corporate environments, and therefore 

start to deliver device drivers for Linux. Unfortunately there is still a lot to be 

done, especially in areas like wireless LAN device support, or specialities like 

Winmodems or GDI printers. Also, the open source community runs several 

projects that develop device drivers, such as in the case of the WLan driver for 

the Intel Centrino  chipset. A problem in this context is the firmware files, which 

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Linux Client Migration Cookbook   A Practical Planning and Implementation Guide for Migrating to Desktop Linux