A modern web GUI for managing legacy PureData for Analytics hardware and software. Useful on any PDA system, and essential after the optional legacy OS hardening service — which locks down the system so that direct command-line access is no longer possible.
What NZ Controller Delivers
NZ Controller is a browser-based web application for day-to-day management of your PureData for Analytics hardware and software. System overview, active sessions, and audit log are available on any PDA system. After the OS hardening service, direct command-line access to the host is no longer possible — NZ Controller becomes the sole management interface, providing the hardware and firmware diagnostics that would otherwise require CLI access.
Smart Associates containerises your existing RHEL6 NPS host inside a VM running on a new Enterprise Linux 9 shell — on four new SSDs shipped to your site and fitted into spare slots in your existing 2-host chassis. The original RAID array is preserved as a rollback. Only port 5480 is exposed. Direct CLI access to the host is locked down. NZ Controller replaces it as the management interface.
Why It's Needed
Netezza N2001 and N3001 systems run on Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6, which reached end of support in November 2020. IBM has never provided an official path to upgrade Netezza to RHEL7 or above — and RHEL7 itself reached end of support in July 2024. Known CVEs on RHEL6 Netezza systems will not receive patches from IBM or Red Hat.
This is often the main obstacle to keeping a Netezza appliance running long-term. Even where the business continues to get significant value from the platform, a compliance or security team that cannot accept an unpatched OS will push for decommission or expensive migration — regardless of whether the data platform itself is performing well.
NZ Controller removes that obstacle. The RHEL6 host is containerised inside a VM and hidden behind a fully patched, continuously maintained EL9 environment. Vulnerability exposure is eliminated. Compliance teams get what they need. The appliance keeps running.
Management Interface
The NZ Controller web application gives you a clear, browser-based window into your appliance — replacing CLI-dependent administration with a purpose-built management interface.
A consolidated dashboard showing the current state of your PureData for Analytics appliance — hardware status, software versions, and system health at a glance.
Real-time visibility into hardware health across the appliance chassis — identifying issues before they cause downtime, and providing the detail needed for rapid troubleshooting.
Monitor current database sessions, query activity, and connected users. Identify long-running or problematic queries without needing CLI access to the system.
A tamper-evident record of management actions and system events — supporting compliance requirements and providing the audit trail needed for security reviews and incident investigation.
Deployment
Smart Associates ships the SSDs directly to your site. Our engineers then guide you through the full process remotely: SSD installation, EL9 host configuration, RHEL6 VM migration, firewall hardening, and NZ Controller setup. No on-site visit required.
The EL9 outer shell can run any Enterprise Linux flavour — Rocky, Alma, Oracle, or RHEL — to match your organisation's standards.
Discuss DeploymentPricing
The NZ Controller web app is included with your managed support. The OS hardening is a separate, optional add-on — taken when compliance or diagnostics demand it.
Included with Netezza Support Plus Managed tier
The full NZ Controller management GUI — system overview, active sessions, and audit log — is provided at no extra charge to Managed Support tier customers. If the optional OS hardening service has been completed, NZ Controller also provides hardware and firmware diagnostics, replacing the CLI access that is locked down post-hardening.
View Managed SupportOne-time service, any support tier
+ VAT · supply, configuration & installation
Includes 4× SSDs (shipped to your site) and all labour to containerise the original RHEL6 OS and install the new hardened EL9 shell around it. Smart Associates guides your team through the process remotely. After hardening, direct CLI access is locked down — NZ Controller becomes the sole management interface.
Enquire About HardeningTalk to Smart Associates about NZ Controller for your PDA system, or visit the dedicated product site for full details.