I went on the First Class training course for Novell’s new version of SuSE Enterprise Linux. Very impressive. Some big changes to patching and Xen workload management in that both areas now use a lib module to actually make changes allowing the applications to use consistent API’s and concentrate on functionality. Everybody who had used SLES 9 and 10 will be relieved that patching is now sorted! I recommend checking out zypper for installing packages.

The coolest thing (if you use Windows as a client) is the ability to RDP into servers and workstations using the standard Terminal Service client, you can even share sessions which is useful when managing a Linux estate.

There were some other cool things like PolicyKit which allows administrators to grant users to be able to do tasks. A bit like SUDO but more comprehensive and easier to configure. A lot of the interfaces look more attractive and offer a consistent look and feel. The Partitioner tool is much easier to understand and includes all storage including NFS.

The Desktop side is nice, but not for me. I can see that I could use it, but I’m too set in my ways in Windows. I’m still struggling to see why I need to spin my desktop around in a cube but it is pretty all the same.

Overall SLES 11 is a big step in the right direction for those looking to migrate to Linux away from Netware and looking for an alternate Virtualisation technology which is free in SLES! I’m sure our consultants will be out very shortly deploying SLES 11 because it’s worth the investment.