Systems Management Server Site Control File Methodology

• Microsoft Systems Management Server versions 1.0, 1.1 and 1.2

SUMMARY

A Systems Management Server Site Control File is an ASCII text file containing the complete configuration information for a particular Systems Management Server Site Server. The Site Configuration Manager uses this file as its exclusive means of input on how to control the Systems Management Server Executive, and the rest of the system. Site control files are the primary means of communication between the Systems Management Server Administrator, the Hierarchy Manager, and the Site Configuration Manager.

MORE INFORMATION

Site control files contain configuration information for a site. The Site Config Manager makes the site configuration match, if possible, what is requested in the site control file. In other words, the site control file represents the desired configuration for a site. The site control files exist in the following forms:

   ACTUAL  (1)
   PROPOSED  (2)
   NEWSITE  (3)
   TRANSACTIONS  (4)
   LOCALTRANSACTIONS  (6)

Typically, there will be a site control file named SITECTRL.CT0 in the SITE.SRV\SITECFG.BOX directory at all times after Setup has completed installation of the site server. This file is referred to as the master site control file. This file contains a backup of the most recent site control file submitted to the Site Configuration Manager. It represents the most recent proposed configuration for the site. It is present only for backup, error recovery, and documentation purposes and is not used in processing. It can usually be used to repair a damaged site configuration. Always make a copy of this file before doing any examination or editing, and work with the copy if possible.

Site control files are stored in two ways: as actual files in the SITE.SRV\SITECFG.BOX and as database images manipulated by the Systems Management Server Administrator and the Hierarchy Manager at primary sites. The SiteControl table in the SQL database maintains complete images of site control files. These are kept in pairs: an ACTUAL and a PROPOSED for each site in the database. These are referred to as site control images in this article.

The Site Configuration Manager reads all site control files that have a *.CT1 extension and uses these files as a basis for reconfiguring the site. Typically, these files are PROPOSED files, containing the proposed new configuration for the site, which may or may not be possible to implement. TRANSACTIONS or LOCALTRANSACTIONS files can also be used to provide specific, one-time instructions to the Site Configuration Manager. Actions based on these files may be acknowledged after they have been performed, depending on the nature of the action.

The Site Configuration Manager replies using a site control file with a *.CT2 extension. These replies are read by the Hierarchy Manager. These are usually ACTUAL Site Control Files, but may also be TRANSACTIONS or LOCALTRANSACTIONS file in some cases (during system shutdown and system upgrades).

The Hierarchy Manager reads all files that have a .CT2 extension. These files are usually ACTUAL files received from the Site Configuration Manager that contain the status of the site after having completed the most recent proposed changes. CT2 files may also arrive from other Hierarchy Managers from sites lower in the site tree. Hierarchy Managers communicate among each other with .CT2 files to signal changes in the site hierarchy.

Files of type NEWSITE are used by the Systems Management Server Administrator and by Setup to instruct the Hierarchy Manager to begin creation of a new site, either locally or remotely. They remain in the database for emergency recovery and history purposes, but are not used during normal processing once the site is operational.

Files of type TRANSACTIONS contain specific instructions and not general configuration information. They are typically used to instruct other Hierarchy Managers up the site tree to make a change in the site hierarchy.

Files of type LOCALTRANSACTIONS are used within a site between the Site Config Manager and the Hierarchy Manager or Setup to upgrade or deinstall a site. The concept "local" means that the transactions are for use within the site rather than between sites.

All Site Control files are created and processed in the SITE.SRV\SITECFG.BOX directory. The .CT1 extension indicates an input file for the Site Configuration Manager, and a .CT2 extension indicates an input file for the Hierarchy Manager.