Control-M Client 9.20 vs 9.21 Differences | Generated by AI
Question: What is the difference between v9.20 and v9.21 in Control-M client on Windows?
Answer:
Control-M (by BMC) uses versioning like 9.0.20 (often abbreviated as 9.20) and 9.0.21 (9.21) for the entire suite, including Control-M/Enterprise Manager (EM), Server, Agent, and the desktop client (Control-M GUI client on Windows).
The Control-M client on Windows is primarily the desktop application from the Control-M/EM installation package. It connects to the EM/Server and provides tools like the Configuration Control Manager (CCM) and job definition/monitoring interfaces.
Key Differences Between 9.0.20 and 9.0.21 (Relevant to the Windows Client)
- Users and Roles Management: In 9.0.21, user authorizations and roles are now managed exclusively in Control-M Web (the browser-based interface). The classic Authorizations tool in the Control-M Configuration Manager (CCM, part of the desktop client) is no longer available. This is a significant change for administrators who previously used the desktop client for privilege management.
- Compatibility and Connectivity: The client from 9.0.21 can connect to older EM/Server versions (down to 9.0.19 in compatibility mode), but to access new 9.0.21 features (e.g., enhanced role-based access), the EM/Server must also be upgraded. Older clients (9.0.20) can connect to 9.0.21 EM but with limited functionality for new features.
- Installation Changes: Control-M/EM installation in 9.0.21 now includes additional components like SLA Management, Control-M/Forecast, and Self Service by default. The client installation on Windows may bundle more features or updated dependencies.
- Other Client-Related Enhancements:
- Improved integration with Control-M Automation API (secrets protection, new token types).
- Updated terminology alignment with Helix Control-M.
- General bug fixes and security improvements (e.g., password encryption changes that prevent downgrading after upgrade).
- No Major UI Overhaul Specific to the Desktop Client: The core desktop client interface remains similar, but many new features (e.g., Workflow Insights dashboards, new plug-ins like Control-M for Airflow) are primarily in Control-M Web, encouraging a shift away from the desktop client for day-to-day operations.
- Windows-Specific Notes: No unique differences mentioned for the Windows client beyond general platform support. Both versions support Windows, with agents running as 64-bit only.
Overall, upgrading from 9.0.20 to 9.0.21 introduces modernized authorization management (moving to web-based) and encourages use of Control-M Web over the traditional desktop client, while adding backend enhancements in security, API, and plug-ins.
For detailed lists of all changes (including fixed issues and new features across the suite), refer to the official BMC release notes.
References:
- What’s New in Control-M 9.0.21
- Introducing Control-M 9.0.21 (Blog Summary)
- Control-M Compatibility for Version 9.0.21
- What’s New in Control-M 9.0.20