Distributing Software to Clients

SMS uses packages to store information about software so that the software can be identified and installed on client computers. To distribute software to clients, you must:

• Configure software distribution. Clients must have the Advertised Programs Client Agent installed or they cannot receive advertised programs. Also, distribution points must exist in sites for packages that require source files.
• Set up a package source directory. Note that you do not use the SMS Administrator console to set up this directory.
• Create a package. Package properties include the software name and version, the location of the package source directory, and group permissions for the distribution folder.
• Create a program for the package. Program properties specify the command line that will run on the clients, and the types of clients on which the program can run. A package can have multiple programs defined. For example, you can define a Full Installation, a Custom Installation, and a Minimum Installation for a single package.
• Specify distribution points for the package. If the package requires source files, you must specify distribution points.
• Specify access accounts for the package. For each package, you can specify permissions for users and user groups.
• Create an advertisement. An advertisement specifies which clients (in a collection) will receive the program, and the date and time when the program will be available to run on clients.

Related Topics

Distributing Software to Clients Overview