Package distribution to a custom shared folder does not work in Systems Management Server 2003 (842563)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Systems Management Server 2003

SYMPTOMS

When you use a custom shared folder as a distribution point in Systems Management Server (SMS) 2003, SMS 2003 Distribution Manager may not distribute packages to the custom shared folder. Additionally, the following error status message may appear in Status Message Viewer:
SMS_DISTRIBUTION_MANAGER 2346 SMS Distribution Manager failed to distribute package PackageName.
Possible cause: The specified share is a hidden SMS share. Solution: Specify a different share name on the Data Access tab of the Package Properties dialog box in the SMS Administrator console.

CAUSE

This problem occurs when the following conditions are true:
  • The name of the share indicates that it is a hidden shared folder. That is, the name of the share begins with the letters SMS and ends with a dollar sign ($).
  • The properties of the share include SMS in the Comment field.
For example, the shared folder for the client access point (CAP) contains the following in the Comment field: SMS Site SiteCode CAP 11/21/2000

WORKAROUND

To work around this problem, remove SMS from the Comment field. This permits SMS 2003 to successfully distribute the package to the shared folder. Additionally, because the shared folder already exists, SMS 2003 does not re-create the comment.

STATUS

This behavior is by design.

MORE INFORMATION

By default, SMS 2003 prevents the distribution of packages to any hidden shared folder that has the following characteristics:
  • The name of the hidden shared folder begins with the letters SMS.
  • The properties of the share indicate that the share is an SMS-managed share.
Additionally, in Systems Management Server version 2.0, when Distribution Manager creates a custom shared folder for client access, it creates the shared folder with SMS in the Comment field of the shared folder. Therefore, shared folders that are created by using SMS 2.0 add SMS to the Comment field to indicate that the shared folder is an SMS-managed shared folder.

This addition to the Comment field may be a problem when you upgrade to SMS 2003, because SMS 2003 does not distribute packages to any existing shared folder that has the following characteristics:
  • The name of the shared folder begins with the letters SMS and ends with a dollar sign ($).
  • The properties of the shared folder include SMS in the Comment field.
If the shared folder does not already exist, SMS 2003 Distribution Manager tries to add SMS to the Comment field when the shared folder is created. If the Comment field already contains SMS, the new shared folder cannot be created.
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:6/13/2005
Keywords:kbprb kbtshoot KB842563 kbAudITPRO
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