Automating Client Installation and Upgrade

Using Systems Management Server

You can use SMS to perform managed upgrades of Windows 2000 Professional to multiple systems, especially those that are geographically dispersed. Note that SMS is used only for installations to computers that contain a previously installed operating system. Before you upgrade using SMS, it is important to have assessed your existing network infrastructure, including bandwidth, hardware, and geographical constraints. The primary advantage of upgrading using SMS is that you can maintain centralized control of the upgrade process. For example, you can control when upgrades take place (for example, during or after training, after hardware verification, and after user data is backed up), which computers will be upgraded, and how you apply network constraints. For more information about SMS deployment, see "Using Systems Management Server to Deploy Windows 2000" in this book.