DOCUMENT:Q180151 30-JUL-2001 [sms] TITLE :How to Select the PCM Distribution Server Selection Logic PRODUCT :Microsoft Systems Management Server PROD/VER:winnt:1.1,1.2 OPER/SYS: KEYWORDS:kbPCM smspcm ====================================================================== ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The information in this article applies to: - Microsoft Systems Management Server versions 1.1, 1.2 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SYMPTOMS ======== Package Command Manager (PCM) is designed to be robust in its capability to select a distribution server to find a given package. The selection logic algorithm for PCM to find a package is: 1. Check the client's current Systems Management Server logon server. 2. If necessary, check each of the client's drive mappings. 3. If necessary, select a server at random from the client's PCM instruction file (.ins), located in the SMS\Logon.srv\Pcmins.box directory on the client's Systems Management Server logon server. Without the hotfix mentioned below, there is no way to control the selection logic. WORKAROUND ========== To work around this problem, obtain the hotfix mentioned in the STATUS section of this article, or wait for the next Systems Management Server service pack. The hotfix should have the following timestamps: Date Time Size File name Platform -------------------------------------------------- 01/15/99 02:52am 268,784 Pcmsvc32.exe (x86) 01/15/99 02:53am 468,912 Pcmwin32.exe (x86) 01/15/99 02:54am 453,904 Pcmwin16.exe (x86) 01/15/99 02:53am 797,968 Pcmsvc32.exe (Alpha) 01/15/99 02:54am 1,172,752 Pcmwin32.exe (Alpha) STATUS ====== Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Systems Management Server versions 1.1 and 1.2. A supported fix is now available, but has not been fully regression- tested and should be applied only to systems experiencing this specific problem. Unless you are severely impacted by this specific problem, Microsoft recommends that you wait for the next Service Pack that contains this fix. Contact Microsoft Technical Support for more information. MORE INFORMATION ================ With the hotfix, it is now possible to set the selection logic level for PCM by adding a value to the [Local] section of the Sms.ini file on the client. To do this, use the following: - To disable any selection attempts beyond trying the client's current Systems Management Server logon server, add the following line to the [Local] section of the client's Sms.ini file: DisableRandomPCMServers=LOCALONLY - To disable any selection attempts beyond trying the client's current Systems Management Server logon server and any servers to which the client has a drive mapped, add the following line to the [Local] section of the client's Sms.ini file:: DisableRandomPCMServers=DRIVEMAPPINGS - To leave the behavior at the default algorithm, you can either not modify the client's Sms.ini file, or you can add the following line to the [Local] section: DisableRandomPCMServers=RANDOM - To have PCM only select a random distribution server, add the following line to the [Local] section of the client's Sms.ini file: DisableRandomPCMServers=RANDOMONLY Unless it is specifically necessary to disable a particular level of selection logic, Microsoft Premier Support recommends that you do not add this setting to the client's Sms.ini file. Additional query words: prodsms mapping drivemapping drivemappings ====================================================================== Keywords : kbPCM smspcm Technology : kbSMSSearch kbSMS110 kbSMS120 Version : winnt:1.1,1.2 Issue type : kbprb ============================================================================= THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY. Copyright Microsoft Corporation 2001.