News

Microsoft Extends Client Management Rights to Opalis 6.3 Users

Opalis 6.3 can now manage clients through System Center Client Management Suite or Enterprise Client Access License.

• By Kurt Mackie
• 02/17/2011

Microsoft announced on Wednesday that it now provides Opalis 6.3 the capability to manage clients through the System Center Client Management Suite or Enterprise Client Access License.

Opalis provides IT process automation primarily for datacenters and enterprise-level services. Microsoft acquired the suite in 2009, with plans to integrate its automation features into the System Center product line.

Opalis 6.3 has had the capability to manage servers, as long as customers had purchased a server management suite enterprise (SMSE) license or server management suite datacenter (SMSD) license with Software Assurance. Now, Microsoft allows those customers to manage client devices as long as customers are "licensed for the System Center Client Management Suite or Enterprise CAL [client access license]," according to a Microsoft blog post.

"This additional grant provides our customers with full rights to leverage the power of the Opalis automation and integration capabilities against devices covered by either a CMS or Enterprise CAL license," explained Adam Hall, senior technical product manager for Microsoft Opalis, in the blog post.

Microsoft extended the 32-bit Opalis 6.3 to run on Windows Server 2008 and Windows Server 2008 R2, in addition to Windows Server 2003, back in December. Microsoft is currently working to remediate all of its integration packs for use on its flagship Windows Server 2008 products.

Those wanting to get the client management rights need to download Opalis 6.3 and accept the end user licensing agreement, according to the blog. Microsoft also offers a free 180-day trail version of the software at the Opalis download page.

Microsoft released an Integration Pack for System Center Virtual Machine Manager as an add-in for Opalis 6.3 back in November 2010.