Using Systems Management Server to Analyze Your Network Infrastructure

Systems Management Server 1.2 Differences

SMS 2.0 is dramatically different from its predecessor, SMS 1.2. Both versions have similar overall feature sets, but each version accomplishes the features using dramatically different techniques. If you are planning to use SMS 1.2 for network analysis and Windows 2000 deployment, you need to be aware of the following differences between it and SMS 2.0:

Software inventory is based on predefined application definitions. Therefore, you must research which applications might be found in your organization, and then ensure that those applications are defined for SMS. While SMS includes a large number of predefined applications, most organizations will have to define many more for SMS 1.2 software inventory collection to serve their needs. Such definitions are also available from consultants, the Internet, and independent software vendors.
Hardware inventory is not as extensive; therefore, it might be difficult to gather all of the hardware details you require. First tier computer manufacturers have Desktop Management Interface (DMI) computer management agents that provide extensive hardware inventory information that SMS 1.2 can collect. However, each manufacturer has a different solution, so these can be difficult to deploy in a mixed environment. Independent software vendors provide solutions that can improve hardware inventory in these ways.
Software distribution is not as flexible, both in terms of targeting and execution options.
Hardware inventory is required for all clients. There is no equivalent to SMS 2.0 client discovery processes. Therefore, SMS 1.2 cannot work with clients until they have been reported through hardware inventory.
There is no software metering facility. Therefore, SMS 1.2 cannot prevent users from running incompatible applications. However, third-party software metering applications are available, and many integrate with SMS 1.2 in various ways.
There is no product compliance database. However, an equivalent system can be set up by defining a comparable database table.
There is no Network Monitor Control Tool and no Network Monitor Experts, which are enhancements to Network Monitor (discussed later in this chapter).
SMS 1.2 relies on Windows NT replication between domain controllers for the propagation of SMS logon scripts and their components, if used.