ZFD Mini Inventory

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Introduction

In the realm of IT management, inventory data plays a crucial role in maintaining accurate records of hardware and software assets within an organization. Novell's ZENworks for Desktops and ZENworks Asset Inventory are two popular solutions used for this purpose. However, there are situations where the minimal inventory data on workstation objects may not be up-to-date or may be affected by bugs in the system. This is where ZFD Mini Inventory Scanner comes into play, providing a reliable solution for gathering basic hardware and software inventory data from workstations and writing them to the appropriate eDirectory attributes.

What is ZFD Mini Inventory Scanner?

ZFD Mini Inventory Scanner is a minimal inventory data scanner designed specifically for Novell ZENworks for Desktops and ZENworks Asset Inventory. Its primary function is to gather basic hardware and software inventory data from a workstation and write them to the appropriate eDirectory attributes of the workstation object. This process is similar to that of ZFD 4.x Inventory or higher. The scanner is particularly useful in two scenarios:

  • Migration from ZENworks for Desktops Inventory to ZENworks Asset Inventory: When transitioning from ZENworks for Desktops Inventory to ZENworks Asset Inventory, it's essential to maintain the minimal inventory data on workstation objects up-to-date. ZFD Mini Inventory Scanner helps achieve this by gathering and writing the necessary data to the eDirectory attributes.
  • Maintaining asset tag information on workstation objects: In ZENworks for Desktops 6.5, there's a bug that clears the asset tag information on workstation objects. ZFD Mini Inventory Scanner can help maintain this information by gathering and writing it to the eDirectory attributes.

Features of ZFD Mini Inventory Scanner

ZFD Mini Inventory Scanner offers an optional enhanced mode that reformat some values for better readability and adds additional information to the minimal inventory data. This includes:

  • ZFD Agent version: The enhanced mode provides the version of the ZFD Agent installed on the workstation.
  • Screen resolution details: The scanner also gathers and writes the screen resolution details to the eDirectory attributes.

System Requirements and Licensing

To use ZFD Mini Inventory Scanner, direct eDirectory access via Novell Client32 is required. However, LDAP support is currently not available, and ZENworks Middle Tier support is neither available nor planned. The licensing model for ZFD Mini Inventory Scanner is per workstation tree, meaning you'll need one license for each tree where workstation objects reside. If you order multiple licenses at once, you can specify all tree names in a single order, and the same license file will be valid for all your trees.

Configuring ZFD Mini Inventory Scanner

To configure ZFD Mini Inventory Scanner, you'll need to follow these steps:

  1. Download and install the software: Download the ZFD Mini Inventory Scanner software from the official website and install it on your workstation.
  2. Configure the scanner: Configure the scanner to gather the necessary data from the workstation and write it to the eDirectory attributes.
  3. Run the scanner: Run the scanner to gather and write the inventory data to the eDirectory attributes.

Troubleshooting and Support

If you encounter any issues while using ZFD Mini Inventory Scanner, you can contact the support team for assistance. They'll be happy to help you troubleshoot and resolve any problems you may be experiencing.

Conclusion

In conclusion, ZFD Mini Inventory Scanner is a reliable solution for gathering basic hardware and software inventory data from workstations and writing them to the appropriate eDirectory attributes. Its optional enhanced mode provides additional information and reformat some values for better readability. With its per-workstation-tree licensing model and direct eDirectory access via Novell Client32, ZFD Mini Inventory Scanner is an excellent choice for organizations looking to maintain accurate records of their hardware and software assets.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is ZFD Mini Inventory Scanner?

A: ZFD Mini Inventory Scanner is a minimal inventory data scanner designed specifically for Novell ZENworks for Desktops and ZENworks Asset Inventory.

Q: What are the system requirements for ZFD Mini Inventory Scanner?

A: Direct eDirectory access via Novell Client32 is required. LDAP support is currently not available, and ZENworks Middle Tier support is neither available nor planned.

Q: How does ZFD Mini Inventory Scanner work?

A: ZFD Mini Inventory Scanner gathers basic hardware and software inventory data from a workstation and writes them to the appropriate eDirectory attributes of the workstation object.

Q: What is the licensing model for ZFD Mini Inventory Scanner?

A: The licensing model for ZFD Mini Inventory Scanner is per workstation tree, meaning you'll need one license for each tree where workstation objects reside.

Q: Can I use ZFD Mini Inventory Scanner with multiple trees?

A: Yes, you can use ZFD Mini Inventory Scanner with multiple trees. If you order multiple licenses at once, you can specify all tree names in a single order, and the same license file will be valid for all your trees.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What is the difference between ZFD Mini Inventory Scanner and ZFD 4.x Inventory?

A: ZFD Mini Inventory Scanner is a minimal inventory data scanner designed specifically for Novell ZENworks for Desktops and ZENworks Asset Inventory. ZFD 4.x Inventory is a more comprehensive inventory solution that provides detailed information about hardware and software assets. ZFD Mini Inventory Scanner is designed to gather basic hardware and software inventory data and write it to the eDirectory attributes, whereas ZFD 4.x Inventory provides more detailed information.

Q: Can I use ZFD Mini Inventory Scanner with ZENworks for Desktops 6.5?

A: Yes, you can use ZFD Mini Inventory Scanner with ZENworks for Desktops 6.5. However, please note that there's a bug in ZENworks for Desktops 6.5 that clears the asset tag information on workstation objects. ZFD Mini Inventory Scanner can help maintain this information by gathering and writing it to the eDirectory attributes.

Q: How do I configure ZFD Mini Inventory Scanner to gather screen resolution details?

A: To configure ZFD Mini Inventory Scanner to gather screen resolution details, you'll need to enable the enhanced mode in the scanner settings. This will allow the scanner to gather and write the screen resolution details to the eDirectory attributes.

Q: Can I use ZFD Mini Inventory Scanner with multiple workstations?

A: Yes, you can use ZFD Mini Inventory Scanner with multiple workstations. The scanner is designed to gather inventory data from a single workstation and write it to the eDirectory attributes. However, you can use the scanner to gather inventory data from multiple workstations by running the scanner on each workstation individually.

Q: How do I troubleshoot issues with ZFD Mini Inventory Scanner?

A: If you encounter any issues with ZFD Mini Inventory Scanner, you can contact the support team for assistance. They'll be happy to help you troubleshoot and resolve any problems you may be experiencing.

Q: Can I customize the inventory data gathered by ZFD Mini Inventory Scanner?

A: Yes, you can customize the inventory data gathered by ZFD Mini Inventory Scanner. The scanner allows you to select which data to gather and write to the eDirectory attributes. You can also use the enhanced mode to gather additional information and reformat some values for better readability.

Q: How do I upgrade to a newer version of ZFD Mini Inventory Scanner?

A: To upgrade to a newer version of ZFD Mini Inventory Scanner, you'll need to download the latest version from the official website and follow the installation instructions. You may also need to update your license file to reflect the new version.

Q: Can I use ZFD Mini Inventory Scanner with other Novell products?

A: Yes, you can use ZFD Mini Inventory Scanner with other Novell products. The scanner is designed to work with Novell ZENworks for Desktops and ZENworks Asset Inventory, but it may also work with other Novell products that use eDirectory attributes.

Q: How do I contact the support team for ZFD Mini Inventory Scanner?

A: You can contact the support team for ZFD Mini Inventory Scanner by emailing support@novell.com or by visiting the Novell website and submitting a support request.

Q: What is the cost of ZFD Mini Inventory Scanner?

A: The cost of ZFD Mini Inventory Scanner varies depending on the licensing model and the number of workstations you need to scan. You can contact the sales team for a quote or to discuss your specific needs.

Q: Can I use ZFD Mini Inventory Scanner with a trial license?

A: Yes, you can use ZFD Mini Inventory Scanner with a trial license. The trial license allows you to test the scanner and gather inventory data from a limited number of workstations. You can contact the sales team to request a trial license.

Q: How do I cancel my subscription to ZFD Mini Inventory Scanner?

A: To cancel your subscription to ZFD Mini Inventory Scanner, you'll need to contact the sales team and request a cancellation. You may also need to return any unused licenses or software.

Q: Can I use ZFD Mini Inventory Scanner with a third-party inventory solution?

A: Yes, you can use ZFD Mini Inventory Scanner with a third-party inventory solution. The scanner is designed to work with other inventory solutions that use eDirectory attributes. However, you may need to customize the scanner settings to work with your specific inventory solution.