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NWC

NWC L-Pack 1 can be used for installing operating systems on desktop and server systems. Although existing operating system configurations can't be changed centrally out of the box, they can be changed by creating and deploying adapted Linux scripts and configuration files. A central management feature for these properties is planned for L-Pack 3. L-Pack 1 is an add-on for enteo OSD 3.2. Installation only takes a few minutes. The product integrates itself fully in enteo NetInstall. The integrated SetupBuilder allows users to adapt the administration interface and parameterise settings. According to NWC, enteo NetInstall is the market leader for Windows-related software in the German language area with about 2,500 customers and about 2.5 million PCs. This solution will primarily appeal to existing enteo customers who wish to install and later maintain and manage Linux systems in their usual enteo environment. It could also be attractive for heterogeneous corporate environments in which Windows dominates as a platform but Linux systems are also to be managed.

Red Hat

Red Hat Network Satellite is a product for the complete lifecycle management of Red Hat-based systems. A summary of machines arranged in groups allows easy management of the systems involved. The Activation Key concept allows limited installation and stock-keeping of software packages. Red Hat Network Satellite was developed for managing Red Hat Systems and appears to be best suited for this purpose.

Univention

With Univention Corporate Server (UCS), Univention offers a system for managing clients according to the domain concept under Linux. UCS is based on Debian GNU/Linux and other Open Source components and offers centralised administration of users, user groups and computers as well as other infrastructure components, for example DNS, DHCP and Mail by integrating Kolab 2, Scalix or Open-Xchange. Due to this approach, UCS can be used in a variety of environments [-] from 20 systems without any dedicated IT staff to environments comprising 3,000 systems. Apart from the Managed Client discussed in the study, Univention also offers a desktop system for installation on mobile computers (Mobile Client) and a solution for computers without hard disks (Thin Client). The system is available under GPL and the source code can be found in ISO images on Univention's website.

Xandros

Xandros Management Console xMC was written in C++ and integrates fully into KDE, the Xandros standard desktop. DHCP and DNS can be configured using assistants. A range of assistants for different desktop configurations, for example Network, makes configuring this Linux desktop an easy task for seasoned Windows users. The reviewed version is based on Debian GNU/Linux 3.1 (Sarge); the next version will use Debian GNU/Linux 4.0 (Etch) as its base. xDMS, the desktop management server, obtains security updates via Xandros Networks, and the managed desktops can be kept updated. Debian repositories may also be used. Xandros positions xDMS and XDMS as products for small and medium-size businesses.

Conclusion

When selecting a suitable program, both the current IT environment's type and its size as well as the in-house IT staff's skill levels play important roles. Some of the described systems can be deployed by a seasoned Linux team. Others are aimed at Microsoft users who wish to migrate to Linux more or less effortlessly.

In all configurations, client operating systems are provided via PXE boot. Depending on their focus, the systems differ in the next steps for client setup to enable users to find a solution which suits their requirements among the configurations reviewed. Review discussions also showed that vendors continue to develop their systems and integrate the features which were highlighted in the scenario team's catalogue of requirements and suit the product's focus.

Among the eight products reviewed in detail, only those of GONICUS and Univention are released under GPL. Both are Debian-based and support free distribution, also of derivatives, on the clients. Products working closely with individual distributions like those of Novell, Red Hat, Univention and Xandros principally support their own distributions best but endeavour to extend their support to other popular Linux distributions. The vendors of well-known desktop management systems for Windows are expanding their products to incorporate the functionality required for managing Linux systems.

On the whole, however, the conclusion is that a lively market segment offering a variety of systems for the desktop management of both Windows and Linux clients already exists. While this area is mainly populated by commercial suppliers there are also free projects offered under GPL. The general opinion that "there are no desktop management solutions for Linux desktops" has, therefore, lost its validity. Users should be able to find a suitable system among the reviewed products. When additional applications are required it is possible to access the knowledge and experience of the Linux Solutions Group's network. (odi)

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