http://www.microsoft.com/TechNet/boes/bo/sms/technote/smstips.htm (PC Press Internet CD, 03/1996)
| Updated: March 14,1996 |  Go To TechNet Home Page |
Product Description Systems Management Server provides fast and cost-effective desktop-software management throughout large-scale, enterprise-wide computing systems, directly solving what has been the most expensive and time-consuming aspect of client-server computing.
Microsoft BackOffice Microsoft Systems Management Server is a member of the Microsoft BackOffice family, a set of strategic server applications designed to build business solutions that automate business processes and speed decision making.
Architecture Systems Management Server builds on the strength of the Windows NT. Server operating system version 3.5 with the following desktop-management capabilities uniquely built from the ground up for large-scale system management:
Site Servers
Site Servers run on Windows NT Server 3.5, store and run the Systems Management Server software, and maintain a Microsoft SQL Server database with all system-inventory information for that site and any "subsites" beneath it.
Systems Management Server Administrators
Systems Management Server Administrators provide MIS managers an interface into Systems Management Server management. The Systems Management Server Administrator runs under Windows NT 3.5 and allows MIS managers or help-desk personnel to access and manage any site server database to which they're allowed access, even those in geographically remote sites.
Windows NT Sender Service
This feature exchanges information up and down the system hierarchy, updating the inventory databases and sending information to update remote desktops.
Systems Management Server Agents
Systems Management Server Agents, which can be installed remotely and automatically on client workstations and remote server sites, can pass inventory information back to the server and receive software updates for installation.
Automatic Inventory Systems Management Server automatically collects detailed data on hardware and software throughout the enterprise. It supports hierarchical management domains and other organizational structures that MIS managers use to customize the management of their systems for maximum effectiveness.
Software Distribution
And Management Systems Management Server handles a range of operations, including software distribution and installation, with a simple, intuitive drag-and-drop interface. MIS managers can update software on all of their clients and server machines in a single step. Systems Management Server can customize global installations or updates for each PC in the enterprise, responding intelligently to the available hard-disk space or other parameters of each machine.
Remote Management Complex software and data packages can be scheduled for automatic and remote installation from a central MIS site. Other maintenance activities, such as executing remote programs and scripts, updating configuration files, and removing program and data files, can also be handled remotely.
Troubleshooting PC and network troubleshooting and support tasks can be less costly with detailed support information about each PC, remote control to manage individual PCs at a distance, and network-protocol analysis. With performance monitoring, system conditions are automatically checked against valid parameters stored in a central database. Systems Management Server diagnoses problems and provides customized alerts to the MIS manager.
Standards Systems Management Server supports the standard Desktop Management Interface (DMI) of the Desktop Management Task Force (DMTF). Microsoft has published the Systems Management Server database specifications and has provided a high-level software developers kit.
Network Options Systems Management Server supports the following networks:
Client-System
Options Systems Management Server supports the following client operating systems:
Wide-Area
Networks Systems Management Server supports the following wide-area network connection protocols:
System Requirements
Q. Are you downsizing and trying to increase overall productivity?
A. Microsoft Systems Management Server allows administrators to perform network protocol analysis and look at bottlenecks anywhere on the network. For example, if users are having trouble accessing the central database from their PCs, the administrator can tune up those client PCs to improve the response times. This helps easily detect bottlenecks and reroute network traffic, which can help increase network efficiency and productivity.
Q. Are you looking for an easy way to manage your networked PCs?
A. Microsoft Systems Management Server means easy management of desktop PCs. It provides a complete rundown on every PC on the network. The hardware and software inventory feature tells administrators what they have and where it is. They can see at a glance, for instance, which PCs have enough memory and free disk space to run a new application, or how many copies of a certain application are actually installed throughout the organization.
Q. Would you like to reduce help-desk calls and lower administrative costs?
A. Systems Management Server makes it possible with complete, consistent software installation
on all appropriate PCs. Administrators can easily install software at one central workstation then automatically distribute it to other PCs. Upgrading all the PCs at once is almost as quick and simple as upgrading one.
Q. Is system security a high priority?
A. Systems Management Server lets users build on the security and auditing of the Microsoft Windows NT. Server network operating system by adding automatic notification of hardware or software failure anywhere in the network.
Q. Would remote troubleshooting save you time and leg-work?
A. Systems Management Server allows administrators to take remote control over any PC running the MS-DOS. or Windows. operating systems. If one or two PCs are having trouble printing, the administrator can use Systems Management Server's remote control capability to take control of each computer from the console and identify the problem. This might show the administrator that the printing trouble is caused by the fact that the two PCs need printer drivers installed.
The administrator can also use remote troubleshooting to take over a user's workstation screen, mouse, and keyboard to help the user learn new software.
Q. Do you have users on a variety of operating systems?
A. The great thing about Systems Management Server is that it supports the leading network operating systems-such as Microsoft LAN Manager and Novell. NetWare.-as well as popular desktop operating systems such as MS-DOS, Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Windows. for Workgroups, Windows NT. Workstation, OS/2,. and Apple. Macintosh..
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