Site Reset May Lock Out SMSSERVER_<xxx> Account (256309)



The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Systems Management Server 2.0
  • Microsoft Systems Management Server 2.0 SP1

This article was previously published under Q256309

SYMPTOMS

On a Systems Management Server (SMS) 2.0 Service Pack 1 (SP1) site, the Site System Connection account (SMSServer_xxx, where xxx is the site code) password is reset when you run a site reset.

If the hotfix described in the following Microsoft Knowledge Base article is applied to the site, the site reset does not automatically cause Microsoft Windows NT Logon Server Manager to perform a logon point update:

253151 SMS: Systems Management Server 2.0 Dependency Package Contents

The Logon Discovery agent that is running on logon points attempts to copy Discovery Data Records (DDR) to the site server by using the SMSServer_xxx account. If the logon points are not updated after the site reset, the old password is used and the SMSServer_xxx account is locked out.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this problem, obtain the latest service pack for Systems Management Server version 2.0. For additional information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

236325 How to Obtain the Latest Systems Management Server 2.0 Service Pack

This issue has been addressed in SMS 2.0 Service Pack 2 (SP2). After you apply SP2, you are prompted to confirm whether or not the SMSServer_xxx account password should be reset during a site reset. You receive the following warning:
If you have account lockout policy enabled, you may not want to reset the server connection account at this time. For more information, please refer to the release notes.
If you do want to reset the SMSServer_xxx account password during a site reset, you can force a Windows NT Logon Server Manager polling cycle that updates all logon points with the new password. A polling cycle begins if any of the following conditions exist:
  • A polling cycle is actually due.
  • A polling cycle was due to take place during the period Windows NT Logon Server Manager was stopped.
  • A site control file property changed for Windows NT Logon Server Manager since it was stopped.
For additional information, see the SMS 2.0 SP2 Release Notes.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Systems Management Server version 2.0 This problem was first corrected in Systems Management Server version 2.0 Service Pack 2..

Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:6/14/2005
Keywords:kbbug kbfix kbsms200preSP3 kbsms200sp2fix KB256309