SMS: Avoiding Duplicate IDs in SMS 2.0 (257808)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Systems Management Server 2.0
This article was previously published under Q257808
IMPORTANT: This article contains information about modifying the registry. Before you modify the registry, make sure to back it up and make sure that you understand how to restore the registry if a problem occurs. For information about how to back up, restore, and edit the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

256986 Description of the Microsoft Windows Registry

SUMMARY

In Systems Management Server (SMS) 2.0, clients are differentiated and uniquely identified by a Globally Unique Identifier (GUID). A GUID is a combination of the client's media access control (MAC) address and the current time when the GUID is assigned. This produces a number that is virtually assured of being unique. The GUID assignment occurs at different times during the SMS client discovery and installation process. After it is generated, this GUID is stored in the registry and in a binary file on the client's hard disk.

Duplicate GUIDs can be caused by using disk-duplication (or "cloning") software to install workstations. Duplicate GUIDs can cause many problems in SMS hierarchies, possibly even disabling the entire site. If you use disk-duplication software, you must make sure that GUIDs are not duplicated.

MORE INFORMATION

WARNING: If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

The process of disk duplication involves creating a master-image computer, configuring it, and then copying it to other computers. To correctly prepare the master-image computer for duplication and avoid duplicate GUIDs:
  1. Use the SMS Installation Wizard to install the SMS 2.0 client software on the master-image client computer. For information about using the wizard, see the SMS 2.0 Administrator's Guide.
  2. Restart the client computer and log on as Administrator.
  3. On the master-image client computer, start Registry Editor and remove the following SMS Unique Identifier registry value:

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\SMS\Client\Configuration\Client Properties\SMS Unique Identifier

  4. Delete all copies of the Smsuid.dat file from the computer's hard disk.
  5. Delete the %SystemRoot%\Smscfg.ini file.
  6. Use Registry Editor to remove all registry keys under the following key:

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\NAL\Client\AbExprtDB

  7. If the master-image computer was a SMS 1.2 client computer upgraded to SMS 2.0, then you may have the Sms1x.ini file left on the computer. Delete all copies of the Sms1x.ini file from the computer's hard disk.
After you have followed these steps on the master-image client computer, you can duplicate it without creating duplicate GUIDs.

For additional information, see the SMS 2.0 Resource Guide, Chapter 12, "Preinstalling SMS Client Software."

For additional information about removing duplicate Computer IDs, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

254735 SMS: How to Clean Up Duplicate Computer IDs

Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:6/14/2005
Keywords:kbClient kbConfig kbinfo kbinterop kbInventory KB257808
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