Frequently Asked QuestionsQuest Management Xtensions - Configuration Manager 2007 Edition
What is Quest Management Xtensions - Configuration Manager 2007 Edition?
Quest Management Xtensions - Configuration Manager 2007 Edition (QMX for Configuration Manager) is a software solution that extends System Center Configuration Manager 2007 (Configuration Manager) to non-Windows systems enabling IT administrators and service providers to manage Unix, Linux, VMware and Mac OS X systems through the Configuration Manager Administration console.
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What problems does QMX for Configuration Manager solve?
QMX for Configuration Manager solves multi-platform administration and systems management problems by natively extending the change and configuration management capabilities of Configuration Manager to non-Windows platforms via the existing Configuration Manager infrastructure.
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Who is QMX for Configuration Manager designed for?
QMX for Configuration Manager is designed for Microsoft-centric organizations with heterogeneous platform environments that want to extend the configuration and deployment management capabilities of Configuration Manager to non-Windows systems.
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What benefits does QMX for Configuration Manager provide?
- Reduced Operating Costs and Complexities - leverage existing investments in Configuration Manager to reduce operational costs by eliminating redundant, non-integrated tools.
- Improved Operational Efficiency - standardize configuration and deployment management for all systems through the existing Configuration Manager infrastructure, allowing your organization to meet technical, security and business compliance standards.
- Simplified Change and Configuration Management - management consolidation allows the organization to provide better services, while achieving the greatest possible returns from IT - both in service and investment levels.
- Standards-based Integration - QMX for Configuration Manager is based on WBEM/CIM standards to deliver Unix/Linux/VMware/Mac clients that act just like Configuration Manager Advanced Clients.
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What makes QMX for Configuration Manager unique?
QMX for Configuration Manager is the only scalable solution available that seamlessly integrates Unix, Linux, VMware and Mac OS X systems into the Configuration Manager console. IT administrators can now utilize the same Configuration Manager capabilities they leverage to manage Windows systems.
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What features of Configuration Manager does QMX for Configuration Manager support?
QMX for Configuration Manager enables system administrators to utilize the following features in Configuration Manager for Unix, Linux, VMware and Mac OS X systems:
- System Discovery
- Software and Patch Distribution
- Hardware and Software Inventory
- Software Metering
- Remote Tools
- Queries and Collections
- Reporting
- Integration with Vintela Authentication Services (VAS) to discover non-Windows systems joined into Active Directory Domains
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What new features are available in the latest release of QMX for Configuration Manager?
See current release information for more details on new features for the latest release. Return to Top
How does QMX for Configuration Manager work with Configuration Manager?
QMX for Configuration Manager is designed to look, feel, and act as if it were written by the Configuration Manager development team. It uses the same database and tables, so all Configuration Manager features work as expected even when extended to manage Unix, Linux, VMware and/or Mac OS X systems. It does not replace the standard Configuration Manager Administration Console and other standard tools. It integrates non-Windows systems into Configuration Manager by extending existing functionality, and by adding system-specific functionality that acts the way you would expect Configuration Manager to behave. Fundamentally QMX for Configuration Manager delivers “WMI on Unix/Linux/VMware/Mac OS X”.
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What non-Windows OS platforms does QMX for Configuration Manager support in the current version?
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux - AS/ES/WS 2.1, 3, 4* and 5* (i386)
- SUSE Linux Standard Server - 8 (i386)
- SUSE Linux Enterprise Server - 8,9* and 10*
- SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop - 10*
- Novell Linux Desktop - 9 (i386)
- Sun Solaris - 8 (sparc); 9 and 10* (sparc & x86)
- Hewlett Packard HP-UX - 11i v1 (11.11); v2 (11.23) and v3 (11.31) (PA-RISC & Itanium)
- IBM AIX - 5.1, 5.2 and 5.3 (ppc)
- Mac OS X - 10.3 (ppc), 10.4 and 10.5 (ppc & Intel)
- Asianux 2.0
- VMware ESX Server 2.5.3, 3.0.1+ and 3.5
* Supports 64-bit
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Can I distribute software patches for non-Windows environments using QMX for Configuration Manager?
Yes, QMX for Configuration Manager will enable you to distribute Unix, Linux, VMware and Mac OS X patches through the Configuration Manager console. You can distribute either the native packages or distribute patches using a customized script for more flexibility.
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What remote tools does QMX for Configuration Manager enable?
QMX for Configuration Manager provides the ability to launch native Unix and Linux remote tools and utilities from the Configuration Manager console, such as Red Hat Logviewer or Gnome System Monitor. You can configure your own command lines to execute any task. Remote controlling Mac OS X systems is performed using the Virtual Network Computer (VNC) software.
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Is there any integration between Quest's Vintela Authentication Services (VAS) product and QMX for Configuration Manager?
Although VAS is not required to run QMX for Configuration Manager, there is integration with VAS that provides system discovery options for VAS-enabled systems. By using the complete VAS solution or VAS-based utility that is provided with the solution, administrators can join their non-Windows systems into an Active Directory Domain. Once added in the Domain, these non-Windows systems can be discovered and incorporated into the QMX for Configuration Manager environment.
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How is QMX for Configuration Manager supported?
QMX for Configuration Manager customers can receive support directly from Quest's support organization.
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How do I purchase QMX for Configuration Manager?
QMX for Configuration Manager can be purchased directly from Quest Software by contacting us via e-mail at SystemCenterSales@quest.com.
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What languages does QMX for Configuration Manager support?
The current version of QMX for Configuration Manager is available in U.S. English only. Quest will support additional languages in subsequent releases.
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How is QMX for Configuration Manager priced?
For pricing information, please contact a Quest sales representative via e-mail at SystemCenterSales@quest.com.
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Can I see a demo of QMX for Configuration Manager?
Yes, Quest offers a weekly technical demo of QMX for Configuration Manager. To receive an invite for this live demo, contact us via e-mail at SystemCenterSales@quest.com.
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How can I become a reseller and/or services partner of QMX for Configuration Manager?
Prospective partners interested in reselling and/or providing services for QMX for Configuration Manager can contact us via e-mail at SystemCenterSales@quest.com.
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How does QMX for Configuration Manager handle a dual boot environment where one box would have both a Unix and Windows host name?
The QMX for Configuration Manager client would only be installed on the Unix partition of the dual boot system. When the system is a Unix box, it will act like a Unix system regardless of being dual booted. The only thing to watch out for would be if the Windows system and the Unix system share the same hostname and IP address. There's no reason that they would need to share the same hostname and IP address, but if they did it might cause problems for how Configuration Manager manages them.
As long as the ip address / hostname of the two environments are different, it will just look to Configuration Manager like two different machines, both of which are only on half the time.
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Which version of Configuration Manager does QMX for Configuration Manager support?
QMX for Configuration Manager supports the current version of Configuration Manager as well as the prior Microsoft SMS 2003 platform. There have been no service packs offered for Configuration Manager.
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