We are using Novell eDirectory, ZfD (ZenWorks for Desktops) in a very large
terminal server + Citrix MetaFrame environement without any major issues. The
product works great, and Novell's ZenWorks has been a big help in getting
applications, especially ones that have a large and complex user piece, easily
and quickly distributed to Windows NT and 2000 terminal servers. The terminal
servers are divided between some that are in NT domains and some that in AD. No
issues with either side as far as any software from Novell is concerned.
So far we have not implemented any type of password synchronization between
Novell's eDirectory and Microsoft's AD, although my tests in a lab setting have
been successfull in delivering what Novell "says on paper". We do synchronize
credentials between Novell's eDirectory and NT domains using Novell's Account
Management product.
The nice thing we have found with ZfD is that the application effort expended
for our desktops (10,000+) does not have to be repeated for integrating the same
applications on our Citrix/Terminal servers. We can use the same ZfD
application object on both desktops and terminal servers with very minor
modifications.
--Moby
PS: Regarding the comment "Novell has decided NetWare is dead" by Ron Oglesby,
I am not sure if Ron works for Novell to know that. Either way, I am sure you
are not developing applications on NetWare. Services traditionally associated
with NetWare have been available on non-NetWare platforms for quite some time.
One really uses products such eDirectory, ZenWorks, etc. One really does not do
much with NetWare itself. While people might argue whether NetWare development
is going to continue or not (the vendor, Novell, says it will continue), these
other applications have been ported to non-NetWare operating systems. One of
the coolest things I like about ZfD is that it can be run in a totally
non-NetWare environemnt - pure 100% Windows.
Matt Kosht wrote:
I pulled the trigger on Zen/Novell route myself this past weekend. Still chasing down problems (printing mostly). Zen on paper looks great in practice very buggy/problematic. Also had some apps that had to map drive letters to Windows servers that's fun w/o any Windows credentials.
Microsoft has a product called Metadirectory service that can supposedly sync the two directories AD and eDirectory.
I am thinking that might be the best option to solve this dilemma.
I am just wishing I could have pulled the plug on Novell altogether and went pure AD but as John Belushi would say "Buuuttt Nooooo!".
>>> craig@xxxxxxxxxxxx 9/9/2003 12:25:01 AM >>>
BTW, I decided to go the AD/Novell route without the Zenworks piece. It's going
to be a terrible pain, though, over the next few days as everyone has to sync
their Novell password with their new Windows password. That's only 1500
students I get to deal with in a two day span.
What's even better about this setup is almost every app either has some video,
audio or COM port mapping that goes along with it. Woooot!
Quoting craig@xxxxxxxxxxxx:
> How did I know that you were going to respond?
>
> I might take a look at both solutions, then, this weekend. I need to get
> moving on this and I'm afraid that the Windows route is going to be a bit too
>
> burdensome. At this point in time, the school has no plans to move from
> NetWare any time soon. Actually, their servers have been rock solid and have
>
> had no problems since their inception (knock on wood).
>
> I know NetWare enough to do whatever I need in NWAdmin. Outside of that,
> though, I have to rely on others. We do have two guys though, that know
> Novell
> stuff inside and out. So, I'm not too worried about the support.
>
> My biggest concern is not that one of these routes wont work - I know that
> they
> will. My concern is about simplicity. Their "administrator" doesnt know
> much
> in the way of network administration and thankfully she knows as much. What
> I
> want is to be able to leave this project and know that Im not going to get a
>
> call every 4 hours on how to do such and such. By adding in the Windows
> component, I know that things will get a bit more complex than they would
> have
> with the ZENWorks route.
>
> Anyway, thanks for the input. Ill take a look at the DLU/Zenworks deal a bit
>
> more today.
>
> Quoting Ron Oglesby <roglesby@xxxxxxxxxxxx>:
>
> > Craig, Long time no see, or hear.....
> > Anyway, the Netware piece works but is not in use as much as the windows
> > stuff obviously. So when something breaks or doesn't work it is hard to
> > find help (or even good support) on it.
> >
> > If you don't know novell doing this is problematic. I have a real good
> > novel guy on my team so it doesn't scrare me. But if I didn't I would
> > recommend Windows every time.
> >
> > I guess the question is that if you HAVE to implement this and no one
> > else you still have to do what is best for the customer. If they don't
> > want windows use netware just be prepared to LEARN a lot.
> >
> > BTW the roaming profile is assigned as a User attribute just like NT/2K
> > and DLU handles creating the local user and setting up profiles etc....
> >
> > PS> Novell has decided netware is dead. No more development for that
> > network OS. Instead all of their development if for Linux. Why stay with
> > a dead product.
> >
> >
> >
> > Ron Oglesby
> > Senior Technical Architect
> > > > RapidApp
> > Office 312.372.7188
> > Mobile 815.325.7618
> > email roglesby@xxxxxxxxxxxx
> > > >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Craig M. Luchtefeld [mailto:craig@xxxxxxxxxxxx]
> > Sent: Friday, September 05, 2003 7:56 AM
> > To: thin@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > Subject: [THIN] Novell Integration
> >
> > Does anyone have any thoughts about which Novell integration route is
> > better
> > -- the ZENWorks/Dynamic Local User route or the simultaneous Windows
> > 2000
> > domain route with dual accounts?
> >
> > I've got a school I'm working with, approximately 1500 students with the
> > environment holding anywhere from 150-200 concurrent sessions. We're
> > still
> > in the 'testing' phase, so we can still go either route for deployment.
> > My
> > problem with the Windows 2000/Novell route is that they're going to have
> > to
> > create two accounts for every student, we're going to have to sync/reset
> > all
> > their passwords, and they're going to have one more point of failure (if
> > the
> > DC goes down).
> >
> > Honestly, I need to read up a bit more on how the ZENWorks deal works,
> > but
> > if its creating a dynamic local user, my thought is how are roaming
> > profiles
> > going to work?
> >
> > Anyway, has anyone had the opportunity to take a look at both of these
> > pieces and examine the advantages/disadvantages to both? From the
> > Advanced
> > Guide for FR3, I saw the integration steps for them both, but if I
> > remember
> > correctly, it didn't state advantages/disadvantages to either.
> >
> > Thanks in advance,
> >
> > Craig
> >
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>
>
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