Preinstalling SMS 2.0 Client Core Components and Agents to Reduce Network File Transfer Load

If some computers connect to your network over RAS or other slow network links, you can preinstall some of the SMS 2.0 client software before the user logs on to your site server for the first time. Using the procedure in this section, you can preinstall about 8 MB of the 14 MB standard SMS 2.0 client software, including core components and agents.

If a logon discovery method is initiated in the SMS Administrator console and the potential client is not within the site’s boundaries, SMS copies approximately 6 MB of software to the computer. If a logon discovery method is initiated and the potential client is within the site’s boundaries, the complete installation of SMS 2.0 client core components (14 MB) will be transferred to the computer.

Note   If optional client agents such as software metering are initiated in the SMS Administrator console, the complete client installation will be larger than 14 MB.

After you preinstall the software, you can direct the appropriate users to a Web site that contains a link to the Systems Management Installation Wizard, which will complete the client software installation. The wizard can run silently with a command-line argument and its use at staggered times will lessen the one-time client core component installation impact on your network. After the user runs the wizard, the client will be added to the SMS site database on the site server, if that client is within your site’s boundaries.

Tip   This method can only be used on individual client computers. If you need to preinstall SMS 2.0 client software on multiple computers, use the procedure in the next section, “Avoiding SMS Unique ID Problems with Preinstalled Client Software.”

For more information about the client installation process on 32-bit computers, see the “Windows Networking Logon Discovery and Installation: 32-Bit Client” flowchart in Chapter 24, “Client Installation Flowcharts.”

Procedure Bullet  To preinstall core SMS 2.0 client components on 32-bit computers

  1. Create a %Windir%\MS\SMS\Bin directory on the computers you want to preinstall the SMS 2.0 client software on.
  2. Copy the following files from the SMS 2.0 compact disc to the %Windir%\MS\SMS \Bin directory: Boot32wn.exe, Slwnt32.exe, Clicore.exe and Snboot.exe.
  3. Rename Slwnt32.exe to Slownet.exe.
  4. Direct the appropriate users to a Web site that contains a link to the Systems Management Installation Wizard, or send the link to them in an e-mail message. When the users run the wizard, the SMS 2.0 installation is completed and the clients will appear in the SMS site database on the site server.

For more information about the client installation process on 16-bit computers, see the “Windows Networking Logon Discovery and Installation: 16-Bit Client” flowchart in Chapter 24, “Client Installation Flowcharts.”

Procedure Bullet  To preinstall core SMS 2.0 client components on 16-bit computers

  1. Create a %Windir%\MS\SMS\Bin directory on the computer you want to preinstall the SMS 2.0 client software on.
  2. Copy the following files from the SMS 2.0 compact disc to the %Windir%\MS\SMS \Bin directory: Boot16wn.exe, Clicor16.exe and Snboot.exe.
  3. Direct the appropriate users to a Web site that contains a link to the Systems Management Installation Wizard, or send the link to them in an e-mail message. When the users run the wizard, the SMS 2.0 installation is completed and the clients will appear in the SMS site database on the site server.