Group

Machine set

Channel

Transaction

Activation key

We describe each of these concepts in some detail in the ZENworks Linux 

management context. Some of these same terms exist as a concept in the 

satellite server as well (see  Concepts  on page 166), but might have a slightly 

different meaning.

Machine

Machine is the term used for a client system. The ZENworks server collects a lot 

of information about the system through the rcd daemon. This information can be 

used to search machines, but also to create sets to perform transactions on.

Group

A group of machines is a collection of machines that can share certain 

properties, like administrators or channels. The group is used to segment an 

enterprise into smaller entities, for example, to limit the scope of administrators.

Machine set

The machine set is like a group. Only one set exists and it is populated from all 

machines by hand or by a search on properties of the machines. The machine 

set can contain all machines with a certain graphics card, or all machines 

needing a specific update and not having installed it yet. The set is a very 

powerful mechanism to perform a change across the enterprise.

Channel

A channel is a collection of RPM packages or package sets for a specific 

distribution and/or architecture. The package set is a collection of packages that 

is handled by ZENworks as a single package. It can have a version and 

dependencies.

Transaction

Transactions are generally updates that can be performed on machines, groups, 

or the machine set. The transactions can be scheduled. A new feature in 

ZENworks 6.5, for example, is the ability to do a  dry run  of a transaction on the 

server to decrease the load on client machines.

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