M2596
Managing Microsoft Systems Management Server 2003
Managing Microsoft Systems Management
Server 2003 M2596
Course Title: Managing Microsoft Systems Management
Server 2003
Course Code: M2596
Version: B
Level: 400
Duration: 5 Days
Course Overview
The Managing Microsoft Systems Management Server 2003 M2596 instructor-led training course has been designed to provide candidates with the skills and knowledge required to manage Microsoft Systems Management Server (SMS). Candidates will learn how to configure SMS components and how to manage the on-going operations of an SMS infrastructure.Target Audience
Candidates who should consider attending the M2596 Microsoft training course are SMS Administrators who are responsible for configuring and managing one or more SMS sites and all supporting systems, and have one to three years of experience supporting multiple desktop and server computers running Microsoft Windows 2000 or Windows 2003 in medium to large enterprise organisations.Course Objectives
On successfully completing the M2596 course candidates will be able to:- Describe the features and infrastructure of Systems Management Server 2003 (SMS)
- Explore the SMS Site Architecture
- Deploy SMS clients
- Discover SMS resources
- Collect inventory and monitor software usage
- Query and report data
- Distribute software
- Implement Software Update Tools
- Use SMS Remote Tools for client support
- Work with SMS Hierarchies
- Perform site maintenance, backup, and recovery tasks
Course Prerequisites
Candidates attending the M2596 Microsoft training course should have previously attended and completed courses M2272 Implementing and Supporting Microsoft Windows XP Professional, and M2277 Implementing, Managing, and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Network Infrastructure: Network Services, or possess the equivalent skills and knowledge.Candidates are also required to have a system administrator level working knowledge of: deployment, configuration, and troubleshooting for Windows-based personal computers; TCP/IP networking; SQL Server and Active Directory directory service.
Testing and Certification
There are currently no exams or Microsoft Certification directly associated to this course however this course may assist in preparing candidates for other exams that are closely associated with this technology.Course Content
Module 1: Overview of Systems Management Server 2003In this module candidates will learn how Microsoft Systems Management Server (SMS) 2003 provides powerful desktop administration tools for managing hardware inventory, software inventory, software distribution, and remote client troubleshooting. As an SMS administrator, candidates will need to know how to configure and manage these tools. This module introduces the key features of SMS 2003, explains differences between SMS 2.0 and SMS 2003, and describes the primary components of the SMS 2003 infrastructure.
Lessons:
- Where SMS Fits in the Windows Server System
- Describing How SMS 2003 Features Provide Change and Configuration Management
- Explaining SMS Hierarchies
- Explaining SMS Site-to-Site Communication
- Explaining SMS Site and Roaming Boundaries
- Discussion: Overview of Systems Management Server 2003
- Identifying Products in the Windows Server System
- Describing the Features of SMS
- Identifying SMS Site Roles
- Identifying Site-to-Site Communication Considerations
- Identifying SMS Site Boundaries
- Describe the position of SMS in the Windows Server System
- Describe the features of SMS 2003 and how they provide change and configuration management
- Describe SMS site hierarchies
- Describe SMS site-to-site communication
- Describe the role of SMS site boundaries and roaming boundaries
Module 2: Exploring SMS Site Architecture
In this module candidates will learn how Microsoft Systems Management Server (SMS) 2003 is implemented as a site. The module explores the properties of the principal site system-the SMS site server and how to install and use the SMS Administrator console and other tools that allow administration and support of an SMS implementation. Finally, the module explains the new role of the Active Directory directory service in SMS and how SMS uses related technologies such as Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS), Microsoft Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI), and the Windows Installer (MSI).
Lessons:
- Introduction to the SMS Site Server
- Exploring the SMS Administrator Console and the SMS 2003 Toolkit 1
- Explaining the Role of Active Directory in SMS 2003
- Explaining How SMS Uses Dependent Technologies
- Discussion: Exploring SMS Site Architecture
- Reviewing the SMS Site Server Installation Log and Verifying Installed Services
- Exploring the SMS Administrator Console and the SMS 2003 Toolkit 1
- Exploring the System Management Container
- Verifying SMS Settings in WMI
- Describe the SMS site server and its components
- Use the SMS Administrator console and the SMS 2003 Toolkit 1
- Describe how SMS uses Active Directory
- Describe how SMS uses dependent technologies such as Internet Information Server (IIS), BITS, WMI, and MSI
Module 3: Preparing to Deploy the SMS Clients
In this module candidates will learn 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.
Lessons:
- Introduction to the SMS Clients
- Discovering Resources
- Deploying the Site Systems That Support Client Installation and Client/Server Communication
- Discussion: Preparing to Deploy the SMS Clients
- Determining Which Clients to Deploy
- Discovering Resources
- Deploying the Site Systems That Support Client Installation
- Describe the Legacy Client and Advanced Client, how to determine which SMS client to use, and how the SMS client gets assigned to a site
- Describe resource discovery and the methods used to discover resources
- Explain the guidelines to configure, deploy, and troubleshoot the site systems used by SMS to support clients
Module 4: Deploying SMS Clients
In this module candidates will learn how to deploy the Microsoft Systems Management Server (SMS) Advanced Client and the SMS Legacy Client. The module also discusses available installation methods and their benefits. Finally, the module explains how to isolate problems that may be encountered during Advanced Client installation.
Lessons:
- Deploying the Advanced Client
- Deploying the Legacy Client
- Isolating Problems When Installing SMS Clients
- Discussion: Deploying SMS Clients
- Installing the Advanced Client
- Explaining the Differences Between the Installation Methods and When to Use Each Method
- Installing the Legacy Client Using a Logon Script
- Describing the Characteristics of the Legacy Client Installation Methods
- Identifying the Common Causes of Installation Problems
- Using Troubleshooting Techniques to Solve Common Installation Problems
- Deploy the SMS Advanced Client
- Deploy the SMS Legacy Client
- Isolate problems that may be encountered during Advanced Client installation
Module 5: Collecting Inventory and Software Metering
In this module candidates will learn how to use Microsoft Systems Management Server (SMS) hardware and software inventory collection features to collect a wide variety of information about client computers and files in an SMS hierarchy. By collecting hardware and software inventory data with SMS 2003, candidates are able to build a rich database of details about the computers in a company. Candidates will also learn to use software metering to identify which applications are being used in a company.
Lessons:
- Introduction to Inventory Collection
- Collecting Inventory Information
- Extending Inventory Collection
- Configuring Software Metering
- Discussion: Collecting Inventory and Software Metering
- Explaining How an Organisation Can Use Inventory Collection
- Collecting Software Inventory Information
- Extending an Inventory Collection
- Using the Software Metering Client Agent
- Describe the inventory collection process
- Collect hardware and software inventory information
- Extend inventory collection
- Use the Software Metering Client Agent
Module 6: Querying and Reporting Data
In this module candidates will learn how to create and run queries to locate objects in a Microsoft Systems Management Server (SMS) site database that match query criteria. Queries are most useful for extracting information related to resource discovery, inventory data, and status messages. Reports allow systems administrators to easily organise and display information about the computers managed by SMS. Reports are managed in the SMS Administrator console, but they are viewed in either the SMS Administrator console or Internet Explorer. In this module, candidates will create, run, and view queries and reports. Candidates will also learn how to deploy the reporting point site system.
Lessons:
- Introduction to the Architecture of Data and Status Queries
- Creating and Running Queries
- Configuring and Deploying a Reporting Point
- Configuring and Running Reports
- Creating and Running Dashboards
- Discussion: Querying and Reporting Data
- Describing the Architecture of Data and Status Queries
- Creating and Running Queries
- Configuring and Deploying a Reporting Point
- Configuring and Running Reports
- Creating and Running Dashboards
- Describe the architecture of data and status queries
- Create and run queries
- Configure and deploy a reporting point
- Configure and run reports
- Create and run dashboards
Module 7: Preparing an SMS Site for Software Distribution
In this module candidates will learn about the Microsoft Systems Management Server SMS software distribution process. The module discusses the flow of software distribution and the roles played by the site, the SMS objects used to distribute software, and the SMS client. Finally, the module explains how to prepare the site for software distribution by allocating distribution points and configuring the SMS client.
Lessons:
- Explaining How SMS Distributes Software
- Managing Distribution Points
- Configuring Software Distribution and the Advertised Programmes Client Agent
- Discussion: Preparing an SMS Site for Software Distribution
- Explaining How SMS Distributes Software
- Managing Distribution Points
- Configuring Software Distribution and the Advertised Programmes Client Agent
- Explain how SMS distributes software
- Explain how to manage distribution points
- Configure software distribution and the Advertised Programme Client Agent
Module 8: Managing Software Distribution
In this module candidates will learn how to distribute software to SMS clients by creating a package and then advertising a programme from the package to a collection of clients. The first stage of the software distribution sequence was discussed in module 7. Module 8 will build upon the previous module and discuss the three remaining stages of the distribution sequence.
Lessons:
- Configuring Software Distribution Objects Using a Software Distribution Methodology
- Creating and Configuring Collections
- Creating and Configuring Packages
- Creating and Configuring Advertisements
- Managing Software Installation at the Client
- Monitoring Software Distribution
- Discussion: Managing Software Distribution
- Configuring Software Distribution Objects Using a Software Distribution Methodology
- Creating a Collection with a Direct Membership Rule
- Creating a Collection with a Rule Based on a Query
- Creating and Configuring Collections
- Creating a Package
- Configuring Packages
- Creating an Advertisement to Install the Visio Viewer
- Running an Advertised Programme on a Client
- Running Standard Reports on Software Distribution
- Creating a System-targeted Application Deployment
- Verifying the Application Distribution
- Configure software distribution objects
- Create and configure collections
- Create and configure packages
- Create and configure advertisements
- Manage software installation at the client
- Monitor software distribution
Module 9: Implementing SMS Software Update Tools and Managing Update Deployment
In this module candidates will learn how to implement Microsoft Systems Management Server (SMS) software update scanning tools and manage the deployment of security and Microsoft Office updates.
Lessons:
- Explaining How the Software Update Process Works
- Installing the Software Update Scanning Tools
- Performing Software Update Inventory
- Deploying and Verifying Software Updates
- Discussion: Implementing SMS Software Update Tools and Managing Update Deployment
- Explaining How the Software Update Process Works
- Installing the Software Update Scanning Tools
- Deploying and Verifying the Software Update Scanning Tools
- Distributing a Software Update
- Describe the SMS software update process
- Install the software update scanning tools
- Perform a software update inventory
- Deploy and verify software updates
Module 10: Using Remote Tools for Client Support
In this module candidates will learn how to configure and use Remote Tools to assist the help desk and to provide troubleshooting support to clients.
Lessons:
- Introduction to Remote Tools
- Configuring the Remote Tools Client Agent
- Using SMS Remote Tools in Troubleshooting
- Discussion: Using SMS Remote Tools
- Identifying Remote Tools That Can Be Used to Troubleshoot Client Issues
- Configuring the Remote Tools Client Agent
- Using SMS Remote Tools in Troubleshooting
- Describe the tools available for remote control of SMS clients
- Configure the Remote Tools Client Agent
- Use Remote Tools in troubleshooting
Module 11: Working with SMS Hierarchies
In this module candidates will learn how to work within a Microsoft Systems Management Server (SMS) site hierarchy and how the sites in an organisation can be connected to create a single site hierarchy. Occasionally, site hierarchies must be modified and new sites must be created and added. The SMS secondary site is ideal for simplifying the installation and management of small branch offices. Candidates will also learn how to configure sites and work within a site hierarchy.
Lessons:
- Introduction to the SMS Site Hierarchy
- Configuring Site Communications
- Installing a Secondary Site Server
- Managing Roaming Clients in an SMS Hierarchy
- Discussion: Working with SMS Hierarchies
- Applying SMS Hierarchy Principles to an Organisation
- Configuring Site Communications
- Installing the Secondary Site
- Configuring Roaming Boundaries to Allow an Advanced Client at a Secondary Site to Download Software
- Describe the site hierarchy architecture
- Configure communication between SMS sites
- Install an SMS secondary site server
- Manage roaming clients in an SMS hierarchy
Module 12: Performing Site Maintenance, Backup, and Recovery Tasks
In this module candidates will learn how to perform site maintenance tasks and prepare for Microsoft Systems Management Server (SMS) backup and recovery operations. Planning is essential so that SMS sites and hierarchies can be recovered quickly with the least possible amount of data loss.
Lessons:
- Performing Site Maintenance
- Performing an SMS Site Backup
- Recovering an SMS Site
- Discussion: Performing Site Maintenance, Backup, and Recovery Tasks
- Creating a Customised Maintenance Task
- Performing an SMS Site Backup
- Recovering an SMS Site
- Perform site maintenance
- Perform an SMS site backup
- Recover an SMS site
