SMS: Best Practices for Applying Systems Management Server 2.0 SP1

ID: Q238780

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Systems Management Server version 2.0

SUMMARY

There are various issues to consider before a Systems Management Server 2.0 site is upgraded to Service Pack 1 (SP1), including:

Site system automatic upgrade considerations

Client upgrade considerations

Network bandwidth considerations

You can use this article as a best practices checklist when upgrading your sites.

MORE INFORMATION

Single Domain/Multiple-Site Model

If you have multiple Systems Management Server 2.0 sites sharing the same Windows NT domain, and these sites have Windows NT Logon Discovery/Installation enabled, please click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Q236596 SMS: Client Components Fail to Install with SMS 2.0 SP1

When one site in this model is upgraded to Systems Management Server 2.0 SP1, all logon points are also upgraded. The next time clients log on and run the Systems Management Server logon scripts, they also receive the upgraded base components (shared components) from the logon point. However, if the client's site is not upgraded (therefore, the client access point (CAP) servers are not upgraded), the client upgrade may not be successful when the client connects to the CAP server for optional components. At this point, the client may also stop responding (hang).

To avoid client computer hanging problems, use the following recommended guidelines before you upgrade a Systems Management Server 2.0 site to SP1:

Disable Systems Management Server logon scripts on all sites in the organization. You can do this using several methods. One of the easiest methods is to add the following line at the top of the Smsls.bat logon script:

GOTO END

Stop or disable all advertisements to clients.

Upgrade all sites in the organization at the same time, or at least as closely together as possible. This prevents client component version mismatch problems.

Turn on logon scripts for a few clients at a time after all sites, CAP servers, and logon point servers are upgraded.

Schedule a site upgrade right before a slow network activity period (for example, on a Friday afternoon), so site systems and clients that are on the network are upgraded during the weekend.

For additional information, please click the article numbers below to view related articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Q236325 How to Obtain the Latest Systems Management Server Service Pack

Q237543 SMS: Service Pack Upgrade Considerations for Clients

Q236596 SMS: Client Components Fail to Install with SMS 2.0 SP1

Q238864 Windows 98/95 Clients Hang or Become Unstable After SP1 Upgrade

Clients Upgrade During CCIM 23-Hour Maintenance Cycle

When a site is upgraded, all CAP servers and logon points are automatically upgraded. Windows NT-based computers that are on the network and computers running Microsoft Windows 95/98 that are logged on to the network and left running all night, initiate the upgrade process during their 23-hr Client Component Installation Manager (CCIM) maintenance cycle.

Upgrade Considerations for Site Systems on Slow WAN Links

Because of potential problems stemming from slow network performance, the installation of CAP servers and logon points located across WAN links is not recommended or supported. If your hierarchy includes such systems, keep in mind that upgrading your site initiates an automatic and irreversible upgrade of these systems.

RAS Clients Receive SP1 Upgrade on Next Access to Upgraded CAP Server or Logon Point

If you have Systems Management Server client software installed on computers dialing in to the network, upgrading your site to SP1 initiates a client upgrade the next time the client dials in and contacts the site systems. To avoid upgrading over a RAS connection, schedule a site upgrade during a time when laptops can be logged on to the LAN.

Remote Systems Management Server Administrator Consoles

Upgrading a site does not automatically upgrade all remote Systems Management Server Administrator consoles. Remote consoles must be manually upgraded. Upgrade the remote consoles as soon as possible after the site upgrade, to ensure consistency with the site server and site database.

Additional query words: prodsms servpack considerations sms20sp1 kbhowto smsfaqtop

Keywords : kbSMS200
Version : winnt:2.0
Platform : winnt
Issue type : kbinfo