SMS: How to Distribute a Package (197016)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Systems Management Server 1.2
This article was previously published under Q197016

SUMMARY

This article addresses the following basic questions regarding Systems Management Server:

  • How do I make a "package" in Systems Management Server?
  • How do I make a "job" in Systems Management Server?
  • How do I activate the job?
  • What do I need to do at the client computer to run the software through Systems Management Server?

MORE INFORMATION

How to Create a Package

  1. To create a package, you must first set up your package source. This step may be as simple as placing files into a directory, or running the command "setup /a".
  2. After setting up your package source, open the Package window in the Systems Management Server Administrator program.
  3. On the File menu, click New.
  4. Give the Package a name.
  5. At this point you have three choices: Workstation, Sharing, and Inventory. Select Workstation.
  6. Specify the source directory that you set up in Step 1 of this procedure (for example, c:\package or \\server\package) and then click New.
  7. Specify the command name to install or run the package, for example, setup or notepad.
  8. Select the operating system platform that the package is destined for.
  9. Click OK until you return to the Packages window.
Your package is now set up for distribution.

How to Create a Job

  1. To create a job, drag your newly created package and drop it on a site, a computer, or a group of computers. This opens the Job Details window. At this stage, you specify how you want to run the job.

    There are three main options for the job:

    • Send Phase
      This option specifies whether the package will be recompressed, or whether Systems Management Server will use the already compressed package (if the package has been sent before).

    • Distribute Phase
      With this option, you can specify what servers will receive the package; for example, default servers or a machine group. You can also select whether you need to redistribute the package.

    • Run Phase
      With this option, you can specify the client pieces. That is, you can specify when the package should be offered to the client, whether the job will be mandatory, or when it should expire (no longer offered).


    You can leave all of these settings at their respective default values and click OK.
  2. You should now see three buttons: Details (the screen you were just in), Schedule, and Status. Click Schedule.
  3. Specify options such as when the job will be activated, what priority the job has, and whether you want the job to repeat.
  4. After specifying any options you want, click OK until you return to the Packages window.
Your job is now properly configured.

How to Activate the Job

After you specify all the job details in the Job Details window and click OK, Systems Management Server creates a Pending job. Systems Management Server will activate the job at its next watchdog cycle.

What to Do at the Client Computer to Run the Software

  1. Before sending the package, install the client as a Systems Management Server client.
  2. Send the package to the client.
  3. After the package has been distributed, use Package Command Manager (PCM) on the client to run the package.

REFERENCES

Software Distribution is discussed in detail in Chapters 5 and 6 of the "Systems Management Server Administrator's Guide," as well as Chapter 3 of the "BackOffice Resource Kit I."
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:6/14/2005
Keywords:kbhowto kbinfo kbPCM KB197016
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