Systems Management Server (SMS) - Updates & News, 9/1/04
Released: SMS 2003 Software Development Kit Version 2
The Microsoft Systems Management Server (SMS) 2003 software development kit (SDK) Version 2 is available for download as an installation package from the Microsoft download center. The SDK contains documentation and sample applications for developing SMS applications to integrate with, or use, the SMS Administrator console, SMS Provider (server-side applications), and client-side applications. Most of the sample applications make use of Windows® Management Instrumentation (WMI) application programming interfaces (APIs), and the documentation references WMI and Microsoft Management Console (MMC) SDKs. Additionally, the documentation includes the new Management Point API.
Available: Guidance for Installing Windows XP Service Pack 2
SMS simplifies the deployment of Windows XP Service Pack 2, providing rich administrator control and detailed status reporting. Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 842844 provides guidance on deploying Windows XP Service Pack 2 with SMS 2.0 and 2003.
Available: Guidance for Deploying Windows XP SP2 using Software Update Services
SUS provides an easy mechanism for deploying Windows XP Service Pack 2. Because Windows XP SP2 is a relatively large update (approximately 270 MB), SUS administrators need to consider the impact of deploying this update on network and SUS server load. Although server and network load will not be an issue for the vast majority of customers using SUS to deploy Windows XP SP2, this guidance is provided to help administrators determine whether the additional load could be a concern for their environment, and if so, learn about the recommended options to limit server and network load to desirable levels. Note that only customers with more than 2000 Windows XP machines being updated by a single SUS server will need to implement one of the load control mechanisms detailed in this guidance.
Available: SMS 2003 Configuration and Operation of Advanced Client Roaming White Paper
This white paper describes the components of Microsoft® Systems Management Server (SMS) 2003 and the elements of your network that together affect the behavior of roaming clients. It explains how to configure SMS 2003 components in various types of network architectures, SMS hierarchies, and roaming client scenarios to allow Advanced Clients to receive and run SMS programs. This includes information about how to block package distribution if the network connection is not sufficient.
Updated: SMS 2003 Technical FAQ
The SMS 2003 Technical FAQs on TechNet have been updated - specific updated topics include:
- Planning and Deployment
- Site Systems
- Clients
- Discovery
- Software Distribution and Packaging
- Software Updates
- Backup and Recovery
Webcasts: 8 More Steps to Mastering SMS 2003
Check out the summer edition of on-demand webcasts that build on your knowledge of SMS 2003. Start at the beginning or pick the webcast that suits your needs.
Note: MBSA 1.2.1 Update Has No SMS Impact
Upgrading to MBSA 1.2.1 for the purposes of Update scanning with SMS is not required. The changes that have been implemented in MBSA 1.2.1 are primarily in the area of vulnerability scanning and not in the area of update scanning. Since SMS only leverages the update scanning component of MBSA the changes in MBSA 1.2.1 will not impact SMS. As such, SMS will continue to leverage either MBSA 1.2 or MBSA 1.2.1 if installed for Update scanning. SMS (with MBSA 1.2) will continue to be supported for scanning Windows XP SP2 systems.
