| SUSE Linux Documentation Part I. Deployment / Chapter 1. Planning for SUSE Linux Enterprise | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Part I. Deployment | 1.2. Deployment of SUSE Linux Enterprise |  | |
| SUSE Linux Documentation Part I. Deployment / Chapter 1. Planning for SUSE Linux Enterprise | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part I. Deployment | 1.2. Deployment of SUSE Linux Enterprise | | |
Contents
The implementation of an operating system either in an existing IT environment or as a completely new rollout must be carefully prepared. With SUSE Linux Enterprise 10, get a variety of new features. It is impossible to describe all the new features here. The following is just a list of major enhancements that might be of interest.
Runs many virtual machines on a single server, each with its own instance of an operating system. For more information about this technology, see the virtualization manual on http://www.novell.com/documentation/sles10/index.html.
Several new configuration options have been developed for YaST. These are normally described in the chapters about the technology involved.
The Common Information Model Object Manager (CIMON) is a Web-based enterprise management utility. It provides a mature management framework. See also Chapter 11, OpenWBEM.
The management utility SPident gives an overview of the installed software base and clarifies the current service pack level of the system.
Several LDAP-compliant directory services are available:
Microsoft Active Directory
OpenLDAP
Harden your System with the Novell AppArmor technology. This service is described in depth in Novell AppArmor Administration Guide (↑Novell AppArmor Administration Guide).
iSCSI provides an easy and reasonably inexpensive solution for connecting Linux computers to central storage systems. Find more information about iSCSI in Chapter 12, Mass Storage over IP Networks—iSCSI .
Starting with version 10, SUSE Linux Enterprise supports NFS also in version 4. This gives you performance improvements, strong security, and a “stateful” protocol. See also Chapter 38, Sharing File Systems with NFS.
OCFS2 is a general-purpose journaling file system that is fully integrated in the Linux 2.6 kernel and later. Find an overview of OCFS2 in Chapter 14, Oracle Cluster File System 2.
Heartbeat 2 provides a cluster membership and messaging infrastructure. The setup of such a cluster is described in the Heartbeat Guide.
Device mapping multipath IO features automatic configuration of the subsystem for a large variety of setups. For details, see the chapter about multipath I/O in Storage Administration Guide.
Debugging kernel-related problems is now much more comfortable when using Kexec and Kdump. This technology is available on x86, AMD64, Intel 64, and POWER platforms.
At the beginning of the planning process, you should try to define the project goals and needed features. This must be done individually for each project, but the questions to answer should include the following:
How many installations should be done? Depending on this, the best deployment method differs. See also Chapter 2, Deployment Strategies.
Will the system be in a hostile environment? Have a look at Chapter 49, Security and Confidentiality to get an overview of consequences.
How will you get regular updates? All patches are provided online for registered users. Find the registration and patch support database at http://www.novell.com/suselinuxportal.
Do you need help for your local installation? Novell provides training, support, and consulting for all topics around SUSE Linux Enterprise. Find more information about this at http://www.novell.com/products/linuxenterpriseserver/.
Do you need third-party products? Make sure that the required product is also supported on the desired platform. Novell can also provide help to port software to different platforms when needed.
