MS2596 Managing Microsoft Systems Management Server 2003

Module 1: Overview of Systems Management Server 2003

Microsoft Systems Management Server (SMS) 2003 provides powerful desktop administration tools for managing hardware inventory, software inventory, software distribution, and remote client troubleshooting. As an SMS administrator, you will need to know how to configure and manage these tools. This module introduces the key features of SMS 2003, explains differences between SMS 2.0 and SMS 2003, and describes the primary components of the SMS 2003 infrastructure.

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After completing this module, students will be able to:

Module 2: Exploring SMS Site Architecture

In this module, you will learn how Microsoft Systems Management Server (SMS) 2003 is implemented as a site. You will explore the properties of the principal site system—the SMS site server. You will learn how to install and use the SMS Administrator console and other tools that allow administration and support of an SMS implementation. You will also learn about the new role of the Active Directory directory service in SMS and how SMS uses related technologies such as Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS), Microsoft Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI), and the Windows Installer (MSI).

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After completing this module, students will be able to:

Module 3: Preparing to Deploy the SMS Clients

In this module, you will learn how to prepare for Microsoft Systems Management Server (SMS) client deployment. This process involves configuring and deploying the site systems required to support clients and using discovery methods to identify resources.

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After completing this module, students will be able to:

Module 4: Deploying SMS Clients

In this module, you will learn to deploy the Microsoft Systems Management Server (SMS) Advanced Client and the SMS Legacy Client. You will learn about available installation methods and their benefits. You will also learn how to isolate problems that you might encounter during Advanced Client installation.

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After completing this module, students will be able to:

Module 5: Collecting Inventory and Software Metering

In this module, you will learn to use Microsoft Systems Management Server (SMS) hardware and software inventory collection features to collect a wide variety of information about client computers and files in an SMS hierarchy. By collecting hardware and software inventory data with SMS 2003, you can build a rich database of details about the computers in your company. You will also learn to use software metering to identify which applications are being used in your company.

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After completing this module, students will be able to:

Module 6: Querying and Reporting Data

You can create and run queries to locate objects in a Microsoft Systems Management Server (SMS) site database that match your query criteria. Queries are most useful for extracting information related to resource discovery, inventory data, and status messages. Reports allow systems administrators to easily organize and display information about the computers managed by SMS. Reports are managed in the SMS Administrator console, but they are viewed in either the SMS Administrator console or Internet Explorer. In this module, you will create, run, and view queries and reports. You will also learn how to deploy the reporting point site system.

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After completing this module, students will be able to:

Module 7: Preparing an SMS Site for Software Distribution

In this module, you will learn about the Microsoft Systems Management Server SMS software distribution process. You will learn about the flow of software distribution and the roles played by the site, the SMS objects used to distribute software, and the SMS client. Finally, you will learn how to prepare the site for software distribution by allocating distribution points and configuring the SMS client.

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After completing this module, students will be able to:

Module 8: Managing Software Distribution

The Microsoft Systems Management Server (SMS) software distribution feature automates the distribution of programs to SMS clients. These programs run on the client computers to perform tasks such as installing software or scanning the client’s hard drives for viruses.

In this module, you will learn to distribute software to SMS clients by creating a package and then advertising a program from the package to a collection of clients. In Module 7, the first stage of the software distribution sequence was discussed. This module will build upon the previous module and discuss the three remaining stages of the distribution sequence.

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Lab A: Using SMS Software Distribution to Deploy an Office Application

After completing this module, students will be able to:

Module 9: Implementing SMS Software Update Tools and Managing Update Deployment

In this module, you will learn to implement Microsoft Systems Management Server (SMS) software update scanning tools and manage the deployment of security and Microsoft Office updates.

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After completing this module, students will be able to:

Module 10: Using Remote Tools for Client Support

Microsoft Systems Management Server (SMS) 2003 Remote Tools is a suite of complementary applications that you can use to access any client in an SMS hierarchy that has the Remote Tools Client Agent components installed. By using Remote Tools, you can provide assistance and troubleshooting support from your computer to clients within your site. You can use Remote Tools to access and control clients that are using the Legacy Client or the Advanced Client.

You can use Remote Tools across a wide area network (WAN) or Microsoft Remote Access Service (RAS) links to assist clients at remote locations. Remote Tools supports RAS connections with a minimum speed of 28.8 kilobits per second (Kbps). You can also establish a connection to your organization and then access clients on your network.

In addition to SMS Remote Tools, SMS 2003 integrates Remote Assistance and Remote Desktop Connection into the SMS Administrator console for assisting applicable clients. You can also use the SMS Administrator console to manage and configure Remote Assistance settings for applicable clients on a site-wide basis.

In this module, you will learn to configure and use Remote Tools to assist the help desk and to provide troubleshooting support to clients.

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After completing this module, students will be able to:

Module 11: Working with SMS Hierarchies

In this module, you will learn how to work within a Microsoft Systems Management Server (SMS) site hierarchy. The sites in your organization can be connected to create a single site hierarchy. Occasionally, site hierarchies must be modified and new sites must be created and added. The SMS secondary site is ideal for simplifying the installation and management of small branch offices. In this module, you will learn how to configure sites and work within a site hierarchy.

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After completing this module, students will be able to:

Module 12: Performing Site Maintenance, Backup, and Recovery Tasks

In this module, you will learn how to perform site maintenance tasks and prepare for Microsoft Systems Management Server (SMS) backup and recovery operations.

Planning is essential so that you can recover SMS sites and hierarchies quickly with the least possible amount of data loss.

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After completing this module, students will be able to: