M2596: Managing Microsoft Systems Management Server 2003

Prerequisites:

Before attending this course, students must have:

Completed course 2277, Implementing, Managing, and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server?¢‚ÄöѪ¨¢ 2003 Network Infrastructure: Network Services, or equivalent knowledge.

Completed course 2272, Implementing and Supporting Microsoft Windows XP Professional, or equivalent knowledge.

Course Description:

Learn how to successfully manage a Microsoft Systems Management Server (SMS) installation that allows you to provide relevant software and updates to designated users quickly and at reduced costs.

This five-day course enables you to perform all tasks required in the planning and deployment phases of SMS.

This course is intended for Systems Administrators responsible for managing, expanding, and troubleshooting SMS in an enterprise environment.

This course includes the following modules:

Overview of Systems Management Server 2003

• This module provides an introduction to the knowledge and skills that are needed to administer Microsoft Systems Management Server (SMS) 2003. It provides an overview of all the products in the Windows Server System and describes where SMS 2003 fits into this family. This module describes the key features of SMS 2003, differences between SMS 2003 and SMS 2.0, key components of an SMS site, and roles that each component plays in the SMS hierarchy. It also discusses SMS site and SMS site-to-site communication.

Exploring SMS Site Architecture

• This module provides students with an understanding of how Microsoft Systems Management Server (SMS) 2003 is implemented as a site. They will explore the properties of the principal site system the SMS site server. They will learn how to install and use the SMS Administrator console and other tools that allow administration and support of an SMS implementation. They will also learn about the new role of Active Directory in SMS and how SMS uses related technologies such as Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS), Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI), and the Windows Installer (MSI).

Preparing to Deploy the SMS Clients

• This module teaches students how to prepare for Microsoft Systems Management Server (SMS) client deployment. This process involves configuring and deploying the site systems required to support clients, and using discovery methods to identify resources.

Preparing to Deploy the SMS Clients

• This module teaches students how to deploy the Microsoft Systems Management Server (SMS) Advanced Client and how to isolate problems that they might encounter during client installation. It also teaches about available installation methods and their benefits.

Collecting Inventory and Software Metering

• This module provides students with an understanding of the SMS hardware and software inventory collection features that collect a wide variety of information about client computers and files in an SMS hierarchy. Students will be able to build a rich database of details about the computers in their organizations. Students will also learn to use software metering to identify which applications are being used in their organizations.

Querying and Reporting Data

• This module provides students with an understanding of how to create and run queries to locate objects in an SMS site that match their query criteria. Queries are most useful for extracting information related to resource discovery, inventory data, and status messages. Reports allow systems administrators to easily organize and display information about the computers managed by SMS. Reports are managed in the SMS Administrator console, but they are viewed using either the SMS Administrator console or a Web browser. In this module, students learn how to deploy the reporting point site system. They will create, run, and view queries and reports.

Preparing an SMS Site for Software Distribution

• This module teaches students about the Microsoft Systems Management Server SMS software distribution process. It teaches about the flow of software distribution and the roles played by the site, the SMS objects used to distribute software, and the SMS client. Students will also learn how to prepare the site for software distribution by allocating distribution points and configuring the SMS client.

Managing Software Distribution

• This module prepares students to distribute software to SMS clients by creating a package and then advertising a program from the package to a collection of clients.

Implementing SMS Software Update Tools and Managing Update Deployment

• This module provides students with the knowledge and skills they need to implement Microsoft Systems Management Server (SMS) software update inventory tools and manage the deployment of security and Microsoft Office updates.

Using Remote Tools

• In this module, students will learn to configure Remote Tools for help desk and troubleshooting support to clients. SMS Remote Tools is a suite of tools that you can use to provide help desk assistance and troubleshooting support to clients in an SMS hierarchy. By using Remote Tools, it is not necessary to be physically at the client's location in order to provide assistance.

Performing Site Maintenance, Backup, and Recovery Tasks

• This module provides students with the skills to carry out site maintenance tasks and prepare for SMS backup and recovery operations.