Altiris, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATRS), a pioneer of service-oriented management solutions, today announced the addition of new Linux1 patch and virtual server management capabilities to help secure and manage heterogeneous server environments. Altiris also today announced updates to integrated deployment, patch and monitoring capabilities for Dell1 servers.
The Lafayette School Corporation uses a co-developed server hardware and software management solution from Altiris and Dell to manage 130 Dell servers. Kevin Little, Lafayette School Corporation CTO and director of facilities, said, “Servers are critical to computing operations at Lafayette School Corporation. We need the proactive server protection of Altiris and Dell hardware and software management solutions to help avoid a failure that could affect hundreds of PCs and potentially the productivity of thousands of employees and students. The Altiris platform delivers the only solution we need to address all of our systems management requirements which, in the end, saves us time and money on administrative overhead.”
Businesses can realize significant cost savings through integration and automation of server management processes. Utilizing an open, integrated platform, Altiris solutions are designed to simplify server lifecycle management, automate operations, improve system availability and security, and reduce overall infrastructure costs.
Steve Morton, Altiris VP of product management and marketing, said, “New technologies can increase complexity if not well managed. Altiris service-oriented management helps reduce complexity of the most heterogeneous server environments. The breadth and depth of our management solutions for Windows1, Linux, UNIX, blade, and virtual servers distinguish us from the competition. Our integrated platform helps reduce server costs and positions Altiris as the price-value leader for diverse data center management requirements.”
IT organizations face several challenges in deploying and managing server infrastructure, including the cost of manual management efforts, accommodating new technologies like blades and virtualization, escalating security risks, and the ability to rapidly respond to business needs.
Altiris provides a suite of server management solutions to help improve system availability and reliability, monitor performance, maintain operations and remediate security vulnerabilities. New features will include:
- New heterogeneous patch management support for Red Hat Enterprise Linux1
- Improved support of VMware1 virtual server resources now includes expanded deployment, inventory and software delivery for VMware ESX Server and GSX Server1
- New performance and fault monitoring for Microsoft Exchange Server1 and Microsoft SQL Server1
- Expanded server application inventory includes Microsoft Exchange Server and SQL Server configurations and Windows services (DNS, DHCP, WINS, RRAS)
According to Gartner research, “It is virtually impossible for administrators to perform patch management manually for Linux — there are simply too many software packages and too many systems they need to be applied to. In addition, it is complicated and there are issues with the interrelationships between patches and installed software, and the need for quick deployment. Thus, the proactive use of patch management tools by end users is essential.”2
Dell recently announced a new systems management strategy with Altiris that extends the partnership to provide co-developed OpenManage1 hardware and software management tools based on the Altiris platform. Customers who also want advanced server management capabilities from the same platform can purchase the Altiris® Management Suite™ for Dell Servers.
“We work with Altiris because they share a vision of driving standards in how customers manage their datacenters and clients,” said Subo Guha, director of enterprise software at Dell. “By working together and automating heterogeneous systems management, we will help customers reduce cost and complexity, while securing vital computing systems.”
The Altiris Management Suite for Dell Servers helps optimize Dell server deployment, monitoring, and OS and hardware patch management. Updates to this suite will include:
- OS and hardware patch management integrated with Dell’s hardware update tools
- Hardware health monitoring for Dell servers running both Windows and Linux
- Remote hardware configuration and OS and application deployment integrated with the Dell Server Assistant CD and online hardware update catalog
- Support for the latest generation of Dell servers
Licensing and availability
Altiris® Server Management Suite™ software is now available starting at an MSRP of $253 USD per node with volume discounts available. Altiris® Management Suite™ for Dell Servers is also available from either Altiris or Dell and pricing is upon request. For more information or to contact your local Altiris representative, please visit http://www.altiris.com/sales/
About Altiris
Altiris, Inc. is a leading provider of service-oriented management software that enables IT organizations to easily manage, secure and service heterogeneous IT assets. Flexible solutions from Altiris help IT align services to drive business objectives, deliver audit-ready security, automate tasks, and reduce the cost and complexity of management. For more information, visit www.altiris.com.
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Altiris is a registered trademark of Altiris, Inc. in the U.S. and in other countries. Server Management Suite is a trademark of Altiris, Inc.
1 The other company names or products mentioned are or may be trademarks of their respective owners.
2 Gartner, Inc., “Patch Management for Linux Operating Systems,” Mary I. Hubley, Ronni J. Colville, June 20, 2006. |