Upgrading Clients from SMS 1.2 to SMS 2.0

If you are currently using Systems Management Server (SMS) version 1.2, an important part of your transition to SMS 2.0 is upgrading client computers. This chapter identifies the upgrade issues and the tasks you need to perform to discover and install your SMS 1.2 clients as part of your SMS 2.0 site configuration.

To assist you, this chapter presents a case study that illustrates the specific SMS upgrade decisions and issues addressed by Wide World Importers (a fictional international pharmaceutical company) in its Midwest Development Center. Reviewing the processes followed in this example and tailoring them to meet your business requirements can help you accomplish smooth client upgrades.

This chapter is divided into the following sections:

• Preparing Site Servers for the Client Upgrade
• Upgrading Clients
• Architecture-Specific Client Upgrade Processes
• Preinstalling SMS Client Software
• Case Study: Wide World Importers’ Midwest Development Center

To gain the most benefit from the information in this chapter, you should first read the following chapters in the SMS 2.0 Administrator’s Guide:

• Chapter 2, “Understanding Changes to SMS Features and Functionality”
• Chapter 5, “Upgrading from SMS 1.2 to SMS 2.0”
• Chapter 8, “Configuring SMS Sites”
• Chapter 9, “Discovering Resources and Installing Clients”