11.1 Managing System Variables

The Bundles Settings page lets you manage the variables that are available for use on bundles.

The Inherited Variables panel displays all system variables that are inherited from the ZENworks Management Zone or parent folders. You cannot delete or modify inherited variables. However, if you add the same system variable, but give it a different value, the new variable value overrides the inherited variable value.

When specifying the variable in a field, use the following syntax:

${VAR_NAME}

Replace VAR_NAME with the name of the variable.

The System Variables panel lets you define variables that can be used to replace paths, names, and so forth as you enter information. For more information on the system variables supported in Novell ZENworks Configuration Management, see Using System Variablesand Using Special System Variablesin the ZENworks Control Center Reference.

You can define system variables at three levels:

Management Zone: The system variables are inherited by the following: device folders, devices, and bundles.
Device Folder: The system variables are inherited by all devices contained within the folder or its subfolders.
Device or Bundle: The system variables apply only to the device or bundle for which they are configured.

NOTE:Certain user-specific variables should not be used if no user has logged in to the device. Example: For device-associated bundles, user-specific variables such as Cookies,Desktop,Favorites,Fonts,NetHood,History,Personal,Programs,Recent,SendTo,StartMenu,StartUp,TempDir,Templates,WinDesktop,AdminTools,MyPictures,and PrintHood should not be used when no user has logged in. If these variables are used, they will not be resolved.

The following table lists the tasks you can perform to manage the system variables:

Task	Steps	Additional Details
Add a variable	If you are configuring system variables for an object (not for the entire Management Zone), click Override settings to activate the System Variables panel. Click Add, provide the name and value for the variable, then click OK. Click Apply.	When configuring system variables for an object, you can override an inherited variable by defining a new variable with the same name but a different value. For example, if Var1=c:\ is inherited, you can override it by defining Var1=d:\. Variable names cannot include spaces and must be unique at the level where they are defined. For example, you cannot have two variables named Var1 defined at the device level (unless one is inherited, in which case the device level variable overrides the inherited variable). Variable values cannot include the characters & and <.
Remove a variable	Select the check box next to the variable (or variables). Click Remove. Click Apply.
Edit a variable	Select the check box next to the variable. Click Edit. Modify the Name and Value fields as desired, then click OK. Click Apply.	Variable names cannot include spaces and must be unique at the level where they are defined. For example, you cannot have two variables named Var1 defined at the device level (unless one is inherited, in which case the device level variable overrides the inherited variable). Variable values cannot include the characters & and <.
Use a variable	Use the following syntax: ${VAR_NAME} Replace VAR_NAME with the name of the variable.

NOTE:The ${ZENUSER} system variable maps to the user logged into the graphical session on the Linux or Macintosh device. For example, if user 'bob' is logged into the display:0 of a Linux device, then any bundle that references the ${ZENUSER} variable resolves to 'bob'. There are various applications to do this. For example, the ${ZENUSER} variable can be used to install Desktop icons in the home directory of the logged-in user by setting the path of the icon file to /home/${ZENUSER}/Desktop/. The ${ZENUSER} variable is applicable for only Linux and Macintosh bundles, not for Windows bundles. A system variable could also be used to set the permission of a installed file to the logged-in user.