Propagating MIF Entry Forms (XNF files) to SMS Clients

• Microsoft Systems Management Server versions 1.0, 1.1 and 1.2

SUMMARY

Appendix G of the Systems Management Server Administrators Guide discusses the customizing of computer inventory and the method to deliver the custom MIF forms to the Systems Management Server clients. This article outlines an alternate method to achieve this. The alternate method has the additional benefit of automatically downloading the new forms for all new clients when added to the Systems Management Server site.

NOTE: If you run Systems Management Server Setup and add components or upgrade your site after you following the procedure below, the files you modified (CLI_*.TXT) will be replaced with the original versions. Therefore, this method is not supported by Microsoft for Systems Management Server version 1.0. If you decide to use the method below, Microsoft recommends that you make backup copies of the CLI_*.TXT files you modify.

MORE INFORMATION

The steps described below are similar to the documented method in the Systems Management Server Administrators guide. The main difference is the modification of the CL_*.txt file (where * indicates the client operating system). The change specifies which files should be downloaded to the client computers. You should specify the new forms you have created in this file.

The remainder of this article will reference the CLI_WIN.TXT for purposes of demonstration. If you are using other client operating systems with Systems Management Server, follow the steps below to modify the appropriate copylist file for each operating system platform.

1. Create the new form.

   Follow the steps outlined in Appendix G for Customizing the Computer Inventory and Creating forms. Save the new forms in the \SITE.SRV\MAINCFG.BOX\CLIENT.SRC\<platform> (where <platform> is all platforms currently installed [for example, X86.BIN]). Forms saved in this location will automatically be copied to the logon servers.

   NOTE: All forms should be saved with the .XNF filename extension.

2. Modify CL_WIN.TXT.

   Modify the \SITE.SRV\MAINCFG.BOX\CLIENT.SRC\CL_WIN.TXT file to include the new form(s) you have created. You can add the appropriate lines to this file in one of several locations. However, Microsoft recommends you add the lines in the STANDARD NETWORK FILES section. This file will automatically be replicated to all logon servers.

3. Create a package to update clients.

   Write a batch file to connect to the \SMS_SHR share on a logon server and run CLI_DOS.EXE /U from the appropriate platform subdirectory. This will prepare the client to be updated at the next logon and the specified XNF files to be downloaded to the client where they will be available to the MIF Entry utility.

   Sample batch file:

        C:
        net use t: \\smsserver\sms_shr
        t:
        cd x86.bin
        cli_dos /u
        c:
        net use t: /d
   

4. Distribute CLI_WIN.TXT to clients.

   Deliver the above batch file to the client machines where the new forms should be available. When the job is executed on the client, the above batch file will prepare the client for update at the next logon. This file will also be delivered to all new Systems Management Server clients and will result in the automatic installation of the desired XNF forms.