SMS: Service Pack Upgrade Considerations for Clients (237543)

MORE INFORMATION

A service pack upgrade of the site server also automatically upgrades all the Client Access Point (CAP) servers and Logon Point servers. Depending on the combination of optional components installed, the client upgrade copies anywhere from 8 MB to 24 MB at the time of upgrade. Client upgrades are automatic, but the upgrade method depends on several factors:

• A Windows NT client on the network that is not usually logged out runs a Client Configuration Installation Manager (CCIM32) maintenance cycle every 23 hours. During this maintenance cycle, CCIM32 contacts the CAP server, finds the upgraded files, and performs an automatic upgrade of the client.
• A Microsoft Windows 95 or Microsoft Windows 98 client that remains logged on the network overnight with a user logged on, runs the same CCIM32 23-hour maintenance cycle and automatically upgrades.
• All other clients run upgrades when they log on and run the SMS logon script (SMSLS) from the SMS Logon Points.

To avoid having all clients logging on and running upgrades at the same time, consider the following points when you are creating your upgrade plan. Individual plans depend on the site, network bandwidth availability, and other factors specific to the environment. Before upgrading, consider the following options:

• Disable logon scripts and let CCIM32 run its course on the clients every 23 hours. This should spread some of the load because different clients might upgrade at different times.
  
  This works for client computers that are up and running on the network all the time. A quick way to disable the execution of SMS logon script during network logon is to add a line such as GOTO END at the top of the SMSLS logon script.
• Turn on logon scripts for a few users at a time. This ensures controlled client upgrades to the SMS service pack.
• Apply the service pack to the site on a Friday or over the weekend and instruct users to leave their computers on over the weekend. With less network traffic on weekends, there should be more network bandwidth available for the upgrade of the clients.

Notes

• If you have client computers connecting to the network using RAS, you should probably turn off SMS logon scripts for them. If you do not, they will attempt to upgrade over the RAS link. You should schedule upgrades for these computers when they are brought into the office and are on the network.
• Windows 95/98 does not have the ability to replace in-use files and requires one or more reboots to upgrade. For best results, do not reboot the client until 15 minutes or more after the initial upgrade.
• Active Advertised programs should be expired before the service pack is applied and reactivated after the clients are upgraded. This ensures the best results with software distribution.