Server locator points do not work correctly in Systems Management Server 2003 (886067)

SYMPTOMS

In Systems Management Server (SMS) 2003, Server locator points (SLPs) do not work correctly.

For example, you cannot use the auto-assignment feature of SMS 2003 when you install an Advanced Client. Additionally, when you use Internet Explorer to visit http://SiteServer/SMS_SLP/slp.dll, you receive the following error message:

HTTP Error 404 - File or directory not found.

You expect to see the "Bad Query String!" message.

CAUSE

This problem occurs because SMS 2003 registers the SLP in Internet Information Services (IIS) by using the 8.3 naming convention. For example, if you install SMS 2003 to the C:\Program Files\SMS folder, you find that the SMS_SLP virtual directory in IIS points to C:\Progra~1\SMS\BIN\i386\SMS_SLP.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this problem, obtain the latest service pack for Systems Management Server 2003. For additional information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

885643 How to obtain the latest Systems Management Server 2003 service pack

WORKAROUND

To work around this problem, use Internet Information Services (IIS) Manager to change the local path of the SMS_SLP virtual directory to the full physical path of the SMS 2003 installation. For example, change the local path from C:\Progra~1\SMS\BIN\i386\SMS_SLP to C:\Program Files\SMS\BIN\i386\SMS_SLP.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section. This problem was first corrected in Systems Management Server 2003 Service Pack 1.

MORE INFORMATION

This problem occurs in all SMS clients.

After you install SMS 2003 without service packs installed, you see the following entry when you view the Slpsetup.log file:Successfully created the virtual directory SMS_SLP for the physical path c:\progra~1\sms\bin\i386\SMS_SLPHowever, if you perform a single slipstreamed installation of SMS 2003 with Service Pack 1 (SP1), you see the following entry when you view the Slpsetup.log file: Successfully created the virtual directory SMS_SLP for the physical path c:\Program Files\SMS\bin\i386\SMS_SLPNote The Slpsetup.log file is in the Logs folder in the SMS installation folder. For example, if you install SMS in the C:\Program Files\SMS folder, log files are created in the C:\Program Files\SMS\Logs folder.