Getting Started with SMS

Microsoft's Systems Management Server allows for automated inventory management of workstations, software deployment, and remote troubleshooting for medium to large WANs. It has come a long way since its first version and if the majority of your environment is pure NT (servers and workstations), it can really lower your total cost of ownership.

Overviews and Introductions

What's new in SMS 2.0
An executive overview of the new features in SMS 2.0 Source: Microsoft.com

Keywords List for Searching
Microsoft Knowledge Base Article: 199435 - This article contains a list of keywords that you can use to search for articles related to Systems Management Server in the Microsoft Knowledge Base using the search engine found at the following Online Support Web page: (updated 931999)

Order the Systems Management Server 2.0 120-day Evaluation Version for $14.95
Start evaluating Systems Management Server 2.0 now with this easy-to-use evaluation version. It includes sample data and instructions to guide users through the most frequently used features and is fully functional so you can explore the more advanced features. It costs just $14.95 plus your local tax. Available for Intel platforms only. Available in North America only.

Introducing Systems Management Server
Chapter 1 - Introducing Systems Management Server Installing and maintaining software is a major cost to corporations with locations across a wide geographical area. In fact, most of the cost of maintaining a corporate computer system comes from the software installation, support, maintenance©not from the initial licensing of the software itself.

Getting to Know Systems Management Server
Chapter 2 - Getting to Know Systems Management Server Systems Management Server provides a set of tools for both administrators and users. The administrative tools allow you to manage the system, and to perform administrative tasks such as distributing software and viewing inventory.

Systems Management Server Glossary
Systems Management Server Glossary A access account A user or user group account that is given access to a package on a distribution point. Access accounts are used for security to specify which users or user groups will be permitted to access the package in order to run advertised

Introducing Systems Management Server Version 2.0
Sample Chapter 1 from the SMS Administration Manual: Introducing Systems Management Server Version 2.0 For most organizations, managing information systems has become an essential, yet complex operation. Microsoft© Systems Management Server version 2.0 (SMS) is designed to help you meet the technical and management challenges.

Systems Management Server 2.0 Release Notes
Microsoft Knowledge Base Article: 215468 - The information contained in this article is from the Systems Management Server 2.0 Release Notes. You can find the Release Notes on the Systems Management Server CD through the Taskpad or by opening Readme.htm in your browser. (updated 1191999)

Taming the Unruly LAN
An overview of SMS for new administrators and managers. Source: Windows NT Systems Magazine (Oct 1997) Part 2 is here

Understanding Changes to SMS Features and Functionality
Chapter 2 - Understanding Changes to SMS Features and Functionality If you have used earlier versions of Systems Management Server (SMS) prior to version 2.0, you will find significant differences in the concepts, features, and the way you work. This chapter provides a general description

Planning for SMS in Your Organization
Chapter 3 - Planning for SMS in Your Organization The previous chapters described the structure and function of Systems Management Server (SMS) version 2.0 and how changes to previous versions translate into network administration tasks.

Resource Sites

If You've Used SMS Before...
If You've Used SMS Before SMS 1.2 to SMS 2.0 Changes Even a quick look at Systems Management Server version 2.0 (SMS) will reveal substantial changes to its architecture, database structure, and feature set. The following tables summarize the structural and functional changes between SMS

Introducing SMS Version 2.0
Introducing SMS Version 2.0 For most organizations, managing information systems has become an essential, yet complex operation. Microsoft© Systems Management Server version 2.0 (SMS) is designed to help you meet the technical and management challenges of modern systems information

Articles and Whitepapers

SMS Security Essentials
Downloadable whitepaper in Adobe Acrobat format discusses SMS security issues that are relevant to SMS 2.0 with Service Pack 1, computers running Windows NT Server version 4.0. The clients and NetWare configurations that SMS 2.0 supports are also included in this paper. This paper addresses many of the same issues that Chapter 4, "Creating Your SMS Security Strategy" of the Systems Management Server Version 2.0 Administrator's Guide addresses. and also discusses SMS security topics not included in that chapter, providing additional background material and greater detail. Source Microsoft.com

Understanding the Value of IntelliMirror, Remote OS Installation, and Systems Management Server
Understanding the Value of IntelliMirror, Remote OS Installation, and Systems Management Server IntelliMirrorTM, Remote OS Installation, and Microsoft© Systems Management Server work together to offer a full complement of change and configuration management features for

WMI Terms and Concepts
Microsoft Knowledge Base Article: 216738 - Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI), the Microsoft implementation for Web Based Enterprise Management (WBEM), is an integral component of Systems Management Server version 2.0. (updated 7/17/2000)

This site and its contents are Copyright 1999-2003 by LabMice.net. Microsoft, NT, BackOffice, MCSE, and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. Microsoft Corporation in no way endorses or is affiliated with LabMice.net. The products referenced in this site are provided by parties other than LabMice.net. LabMice.net makes no representations regarding either the products or any information about the products. Any questions, complaints, or claims regarding the products must be directed to the appropriate manufacturer or vendor.

$LabMice.net - The Windows 2000\XP\.NET Resource Index$
Home \| About Us \| Search	Last Updated December 16, 2003