SMS: Package Routing Fails Distributing from Central Site to Grandchild Site (256880)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Systems Management Server 2.0 SP1
This article was previously published under Q256880

SYMPTOMS

In Systems Management Server 2.0, software distribution can be deployed using the package routing method (fan-out method). This means a central site can target a package to a grandchild site without having a direct address defined from the central site to the grandchild site.

However this can fail when the distribution is configured for medium priority, resulting in a prevention of the package from completing to the target grandchild site.

For example, distributing a package from Site A to Site C: 
   Site A   ---- Central Site
     |
   Site B   ---- Child Site
     |
   Site C   ---- Grandchild Site

CAUSE

The Scheduler thread will periodically go through the routing packages and delete any routing packages that are not referenced by a send request. The routing packages are usually represented as a local path. However, there are instances where the send requests refer to the routing package using a UNC path. When this happens the Scheduler is unable to resolve a UNC path to a local path even if both paths point to the same file.

This can also occur when the Sender address from Site B to Site C is configured to allow only high priority packages to be sent over several hours, before switching to allow medium and high.

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

WORKAROUND

To work around this behavior, create a direct address to the target site.

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. This problem was first corrected in Systems Management Server version 2.0 Service Pack 2.
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:1/14/2006
Keywords:kbAdvertisement kbBug kbConfig kbfix kbPackage kbScheduler kbsms200sp2fix kbSMSSender kbSoftwareDist KB256880
©2004 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.