SMS 2.0 Queries Overview You can use a SMS query to search for information in the SMS site database. In fact, all data stored in the site database can be queried. This includes data relating to computer resources, sites, software distribution, and users and user groups. A query consists of one expression or multiple expressions conveyed using the WBEM Query Language (WQL). When the query is run against the SMS site database, the SMS Provider retrieves all data in the SMS site database tables that match the criteria defined in Read More

Systems Management Server (SMS) Installer Overview SMS Installer can be used to create self-extracting software installation files. These executable files contain the identical files and settings which were created when a specific application was installed. The SMS Installer reproduces all the components required to install the software. This includes an installation script as well, which controls the software installation process. SMS Installer provides the means by which you can maintain application and configuration consistency, and operating system consistency throughout the network. The features of SMS Installer are listed here: SMS Read More

Status Messages Overview All SMS 2.0 components and services generate status messages as they perform their various functions. These status messages illustrate the movement of processing activity of the SMS site systems and clients. The status messages are automatically summarized for viewing through status summarizers and filtered through status filters. A status message can have one of the following severity levels: Informational status messages: These messages merely inform on events such as a component starting, and a task completing. Warning status messages: These messages point out potential problems that can Read More

SMS and NTFS Security Overview The SMS site server must be installed on an NTFS partition. This ensures that NTFS permissions secure the SMS file structure from access by unauthorized users. By default, administrators have Full Control permission. Standard users who are not administrators have the either the Change permission, or the Read permission, or no permissions. Each SMS site system role enforces security for the SMS components and for user access. With regard to directories and shares, for all site system roles other than the client access point and Read More

Configuring Hardware and Software Inventory Hardware inventory deals with the collection of data on the hardware properties of installed client computer hardware: Disk model, Processor type and speed, Firmware manufacturer and version, Capacity, Free space, Amount of RAM and Monitor type and resolution You can configure which hardware properties information should be collected by SMS. The Hardware Inventory Client Agent collects the actual hardware properties information from the client. The hardware inventory is stored in the SMS database. You can also enable the Hardware Inventory Client Agent on a secondary Read More

Configuring SMS Sites Systems A SMS site system is a Windows server that carries out one of multiple SMS roles for the SMS site. When installing SMS, the default configuration is that all SMS roles are installed on an SMS site server. After SMS is installed, you can assign these site system roles to computers: Client access points (CAPs): This is a SMS site system that operates as the exchange point between SMS clients and the SMS site server. At the client access point; inventory, and status information and discovery Read More

Systems Management Server (SMS) Overview SMS 2.0 is a Microsoft BackOffice systems management tool that can both operate in and manage an assortment of network environments. Systems Management Server (SMS) enables network environments and network resources to be centrally controlled. The core control point or center of Systems Management Server is the SMS Administrator console. This is a snap-in to the Microsoft Management Console (MMC). The industry standard for Web-Based Enterprise Management (WBEM) is the core of SMS data collection and presentation. The main functions of SMS are listed here: Read More