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Q1: Simply describe System Management Server 2003?
Systems Management Server has been a best-of-breed solution for change and configuration management for the MS platform, and has enabled customers to move more quickly, and at a much lower cost, in providing the relevant software to the designated users in a timely fashion. Systems Management Server 2003 will extend these capabilities markedly, by providing advantages such as:
1) Improved support for the growing mobile user community
2) Integration with key Windows 2000 services and capabilities such as its Active Directory® service
3) Improved ability to track application usage across your enterprise
4) Increased productivity and reduced cost through simplified administration of the Systems Management Server 2003 application
Improvements in these areas enable enterprises to effectively manage software on Windows-based platforms, from devices to data centers.
Q2: How does SMS work with Mobil Users?
As corporate workforces evolve from cubicle dwellers to road warriors, this increased degree of mobility introduces additional challenges for managing PCs and other devices. These challenges include:
1) Timely and accurate collection of information from devices over a slow, unpredictable connection such as a dial-up line.
2) Installation of critical software from the closest distribution point to mobile or 'roaming' business users—allowing the roaming user to seamlessly install software from locations remote from their primary office.
3) Extension of Windows desktop and server management to critical handheld devices, point-of-sale devices, and Windows-based terminals running Windows-based operating systems such as Windows CE, Pocket PC, and Windows XP Embedded.
Q3: How does SMS 2003 work with Windows?
1) Active Directory integration:
With the increased deployment and adoption of Active Directory as the key business directory, SMS 2003 has been extended to take advantage of the components of Active Directory wherever possible. This includes targeting software at Active Directory sites, domains, organization units, security groups, and non-security groups - taking directory-enabled management to the next level – business user-based distribution.
2) Add/Remove Programs integration:
This powerful user interface included in Windows 2000 Pro and Windows XP Pro today was specifically designed for users to install or uninstall software for the business desktop. SMS 2003 enables users to manage business applications through the same familiar interface, reducing training and support costs, while increasing success rate and timeliness of installation of business applications on corporate desktops.
3) Elevated-rights installation:
With the pronounced move of the corporate desktop to Windows NT® 4.0 Workstation, Windows 2000 Pro, and Windows XP Pro, the need for providing business users with the authority to execute installation tasks without needlessly endangering the integrity or security of the desktops has become more pressing. SMS 2003 provides simple and specific delegation of authorization capabilities, empowering the business user to perform the software installations required without compromising security.
Q4: What about SMS 2003 and Tracking Application Usage?
SMS 2.0 already provides a set of features called software metering, and allows enterprise IT administrators to understand not only if applications are present, but also their usage patterns. SMS 2003 enhances this feature by providing increased scalability to address the largest of enterprise customers’ requirements. SMS 2003 software metering enables tracking and reporting of which users have run which applications and the frequency of application access. It also enables the reconciliation of the number of concurrent users accessing an application at any given time. This feature is designed to accurately track and record application usage for licensing purposes.
Q5: List 4 ways SMS 2003 can Reduce the Cost of Managing?
1) Site alignment with Active Directory:
Because SMS 2003 can manage an enterprise IT environment based upon Active Directory site design, this reduces the complexity of deploying, and time needed to deploy, SMS 2003 in Active Directory–enabled environments.
2) Integrated security model:
SMS 2003 enables the complete integration of SMS security with the Windows NT and Active Directory security model. In many cases this includes the ability to run SMS 2003 with no separate accounts, reducing exposure to security attacks while minimizing the time and effort required for managing SMS security.
3) Delta replication:
By using the advantages of the Windows Installer service for patching existing software, SMS 2003 is constantly moving changes and updates to existing software throughout your enterprise. With SMS 2003, as changes are made to original packages, SMS will move only the changed files in those packages around your network to both your site servers and your distribution servers.
4) Integrated Web reporting. Building upon the existing Web reporting capabilities of SMS, SMS 2003 includes additional reports specifically tailored to key business needs. It also supports an extensible reporting infrastructure, enabling quick and easy sharing of reports with peers.
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