Administering SMS [Paperback]

Mark Wilkins (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 27, 2000 | Series: Administering

-- The hands-on daily bible for administrators working with SMS on large-scale Microsoft networks. Task-by-task instruction rather than overviews of the software and tools. Other essential tasks are covered in detail to get the network administrator quickly up to speed and on to the next job in their inbox.
-- Special elements in each of the Administering books include:
-- Task-at-a-glance labeled in each chapter Table of Contents
-- Task-oriented section guides propels readers directly to task
-- Walk-throughs provide readers with step-by-step instruction
-- Extensive screenshots and figures enhance the walk-throughs
-- Interactive checklists helps evaluate processes
-- Useful notes highlight key tips and warnings
-- For more information concludes the chapters with additional references
-- Troubleshooting shows the readers how to solve most common problems

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Microsoft System Management Server (SMS), in the right hands, can make it easier to manage a fleet of servers and workstations that are distributed across a network. Administering SMS shows how to make your hands the right hands. This book helps you figure out what advantages (if any) your company can derive from installing SMS, then guides you through the deployment process. From there, a series of scenarios help you figure out how to get what you want from this popular Windows administration tool and provide you with the reference material and tutorials you need to get the system working right. Whether you want an automated way to distribute virus definitions or a complete solution for managing software across your network, this book has information that is relevant to your goals.

Mark Wilkins takes a proven approach to his material, combining prose to explain concepts and step-by-step procedures to lay out exactly what to do in specific situations. He also fits a fair bit of reference information--lists of files and objects, mainly--into the mix. The main deficiency here is an almost exclusive focus on Windows NT 4.0, but Windows 2000 hasn't penetrated far enough into the market to make Wilkins's work obsolete. Let's hope for a Windows 2000 update soon. --David Wall

Topics covered: Microsoft System Management Server (SMS) 2.0 and how to use it to keep networks of Windows computers up-to-date and properly monitored. There's lots of coverage of planning (including the process of deciding whether you'll benefit from SMS), plus information in deployment and configuration. Extensive coverage goes to network administration tasks, software metering, hardware and software inventories, and software distribution (including distributions that involve SMS Installer).

About the Author

Mark Wilkins is a course director and technical instructor for Data Tech Institute, a provider of technical seminars and video-based training materials to most Fortune 500 companies around the world.

Product Details

• Paperback: 544 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill Companies; 1st edition (April 27, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0072124210
• ISBN-13: 978-0072124217
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 1.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,232,025 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars not a useful first hand reference, July 2, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Administering SMS (Paperback)

after running through the relatively few sms 2 books out there, i have to say that this is not one i'd buy again. 1) there are glaring errors such as incorrectly numbered screen captures which are integral to understanding the material. 2) blatantly conflicting information such as where sms can be installed. the book actually lists sms will only work on a domain controller and pages later only to correctly state that member server is the preferred location. the sms administrator's companion by steve d. kacmarek is better by far. that book provides hard to find tricks such as specifying the nic for use with remote control and well written and organized throughout. this book is fine for a relative knowledgeable sms person who wants to read through the book for a refresher course but for beginners, it will only confuse and misinform which goes against its' purpose in the first place.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Rushed to press?, February 16, 2001

By 

J. Williams (Philadelphia, PA, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Administering SMS (Paperback)

My first reaction to this book is "where was the editor?" Many of my criticisms of this book are forgivable problems for an initial draft, but shouldn't show up in a book on the shelf. For example, on page 10, Mr. Wilkins says:

"Users who decide to hide software by renaming the EXE file will have no luck in their attempt to avoid detection, as the file header won't lie. Files can also be collected and then stored on the site server. (Ouch! I guess noontime game playing is out.)"

This passage has a few problems. First, it's trying to describe a nuance of software inventory that doesn't belong in the introduction. Second, the file collection idea is out of context here. Last, of course, the first person comment about games is not only silly, but in bad taste.

The book, at least the portions I got through before returning it, is filled with things like this. Cute comments can be distracting to a serious reader. Here's another (page 2):

"...SMS works tirelessly in the background, providing administrative support, and to the best of my knowledge, it will not ask for a raise or quit on you suddenly."

Get serious - SMS is simply a product; it doesn't deserve to have personality ascribed to it. These attempts at casual tone are far too overt and serve no purpose.

Another obvious problem is a relatively shallow depth of understanding. How about this quote (page xvii):

"For years, [Novell's] IPX protocol had been the standard in the computer industry."

Right there I question just about everything else in the book, which has the feel of being generated based on other documents rather than real experience. You have to dig to find hard facts, and dig further to find those facts accurately described or applied.

For this book, I'd wait for the second edition if you're looking to actually be an SMS administrator. It may be okay for non-administrators who are interested in the topic, but other titles are sure to give more concrete information to admins who are in the trenches day to day.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A good informative Book, July 6, 2000

By 

E. Silvano "Edsilv" (Grand Junction , CO USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Administering SMS (Paperback)

I am managing a SMS Site. I bought the book to refresh my memory and it didn't dissapoint me. I don't believe that this book was written to prepare you for the SMS test. However, the title states that it is for administrators of SMS. There are a few mistakes -In a rush to be printed?. If you manage a SMS Site you will probably find some good points for before and after the implementation.