SMS 2 Administration [Paperback]

Darshan Doshi (Author), Michael Lubanski (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0735700826 | ISBN-13: 978-0735700826 | Publication Date: February 27, 2000 | Edition: 1

Michael Lubanski and Darshan Doshi, who have implemented one of the largest rollouts of SMS in a production environment, call upon their years of experience with SMS to demystify its complexities in SMS 2 Administration. Combining Mr. Lubanski's and Mr. Doshi's real-world knowledge with that of other systems management experts, this book provides practical advice on, and recommendations for, dealing with SMS administration. From concept and design through installation, configuration, security, usage and troubleshooting, SMS 2 Administration is a reference guide that uses realistic scenarios to help you make sense of SMS's sometimes confusing issues. With this book, not only will you understand SMS, you'll be able to deploy and maintain an SMS system in your own environment.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

The Systems Management Server (SMS) texts out there are too few, they're generally very good, and they're mostly aimed at people studying for the Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) SMS 2 exam. SMS 2.0 Administration differentiates itself by serving more than the certification crowd. However, while it includes a number of topics other books omit, its presentation leaves something to be desired.

The case study showing SMS deployment at a fictitious company is a nice touch. The book also successfully outlines the distribution of applications using SMS, along with the related topics of packages and distribution points.

Most books covering SMS neglect queries and reports, in addition to the scripting language used to create them, WBEM Query Language (WQL). SMS 2 Administration devotes an entire chapter to WQL, fortified with an overview of Crystal Info, a report generation tool. In addition, the book explores paths of access to SMS data using several other tools such as Access and Excel.

SMS 2.0 Administration doesn't do a good job of illustrating content, and the discussion of security for remote tools is utterly too brief. But, as the authors point out, this book supplements rather than duplicates the SMS administrator's guide. Its adequate breadth of topics, coverage of scripting, and hearty explanations should offset its ineffective use of diagrams and graphics. --John Keogh

Topics covered: Overview and purpose of SMS, limitations of previous version of SMS, Windows NT and SQL Server overview, domains, resources needed for installation, Windows Management technology, planning and design, people needed for deployment (people needed), security planning, capacity planning, SMS and SQL configuration, installation and upgrade, installation or an SMS central site, upgrading from SMS 1.2, SMS and NetWare, SMS security architectures, security, Microsoft Management Console and SMS, clients, network discovery, advertising, monitoring software usage, troubleshooting software metering problems, software packages, SMS 2.0 Installer, controlling package distribution, software distribution, overview and purpose of collections, managing collections, hardware inventory, software inventory, Y2K compliance, remote tools, configuring and using remote tools, queries and reports, WMI Query Language, tools, Network Monitor, Network Trace, status and logs, SMS status messages, troubleshooting using logs, administration, performance monitoring, Health Monitor, backup and restoration, site administration and monitoring tools, SMS and Windows 2000, appendices covering additional details for SMS and SQL Site Server, additional resources and third-party tools, and Microsoft Installer service.

From the Back Cover

Michael Lubanski and Darshan Doshi, who have implemented one of the largest rollouts of SMS in a production environment, call upon their years of experience with SMS to demystify its complexities in SMS 2 Administration. Combining Mr. Lubanski's and Mr. Doshi's real-world knowledge with that of other systems management experts, this book provides practical advice on, and recommendations for, dealing with SMS administration. From concept and design through installation, configuration, security, usage and troubleshooting, SMS 2 Administration is a reference guide that uses realistic scenarios to help you make sense of SMS's sometimes confusing issues. With this book, not only will you understand SMS, you'll be able to deploy and maintain an SMS system in your own environment.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 448 pages
• Publisher: Sams; 1 edition (February 27, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0735700826
• ISBN-13: 978-0735700826
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 7 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,985,896 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars SMS 2 Administration in Circles in 14 days!, March 14, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: SMS 2 Administration (Paperback)

This book goes in many circles... I can not count the number of times it repeats sys requirements.

It also skips over many details that are VERY necessary to understand the book at all (such as what the difference between a primary and secondary site are) but instead just throws the terms in.

For many of the terms that it does in fact explain, it does so several chapters after it has already used the concept many times (in circles) in examples or to explain other concepts.

Altogether not a good book. If you get this, make SURE to get another book (exam cram or something of that nature) to help.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great for Experienced SMS Administrators., July 15, 2000

By 

Rodney D. Trent "Rod Trent" (Middletown, OH United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: SMS 2 Administration (Paperback)

While this book does offer tidbits of information for beginners, it is primarily for advanced users of SMS. Once you are familiar with SMS, this book becomes invaluable as a reference tool.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Covers all areas but not elaborate, April 20, 2000

By 

Michael Mun - See all my reviews

This review is from: SMS 2 Administration (Paperback)

I would recommend this book to individuals that have sat through the sms classes to brush up on their knowledge. However, not for the beginner! For the beginner, use it in conjuction with SMS 2.0 training kit from Microsoft Press.