1.4 Delivering Software Packages

Software packages are delivered to devices through the use of RPM bundles and catalogs.

An RPM bundle is a grouping of one or more software packages. Bundles contain one or more files that are installed to particular locations on a device, plus information about the bundle, such as version, description, what applications must also be present for it to be installed, and more. A catalog is a group of bundles.

The fundamental difference between RPM bundles and catalogs is that the software in bundles is automatically installed, but users can choose whether or not to install the software included in catalogs. Catalogs are displayed in the ZENworks Linux Management Updater Client, which is part of the ZENworks Agent. For more information, see Section 6.3, Using the Software Updater, Installer, and Remover from Users’ Managed Devices.

You can define both the deployment schedule and the installation schedule for a bundle. The deployment schedule determines when the bundle's software packages are copied to the device. The installation schedule determines when the packages are installed on the device.

You can also create bundle groups. A bundle group is simply a group of bundles, similar to a catalog. However, installation of bundles in groups is automatic, just like installation of individual bundles.

The following sections contain additional information:

1.4.1 Bundles

To create a bundle:

  1. In the ZENworks Control Center, click the Bundles tab.

  2. In the Bundle list, click New > Bundle to display the Create New Bundle Wizard.

  3. Select RPM Package Bundle (the default option), then click Next.

  4. Follow the prompts to create the bundle and assign it to devices. For information about what you need to supply at each step of the wizard, click the Help Question Mark icon.

    When assigning the bundle to devices, you can lessen your management overhead by assigning the bundle to groups of devices rather than to individual devices. For more information about device groups, see Section 1.1, Organizing Devices: Folders and Groups.

For more detailed information about using bundles and bundle groups to deliver software to devices, see Section 20.0, Using RPM and File Bundles.

1.4.2 Catalogs

To create a catalog:

  1. In the ZENworks Control Center, click the Bundles tab.

  2. In the Bundle list, click New > Catalog to display the Create New Catalog Wizard.

  3. Follow the prompts to create the catalog, add bundles to it, and assign it to devices. For information about what you need to supply at each step of the wizard, click the Help Question Mark icon.

    When assigning the catalog to devices, you can lessen your management overhead by assigning the catalog to groups of devices rather than to individual devices. For more information about device groups, see Section 1.1, Organizing Devices: Folders and Groups.

For more detailed information about delivering software to devices, see Section 22.0, Using Catalogs.