Site systems are computers serving in systems management roles in the SMS site. Site systems such as CAPs, logon points, and distribution points can be used to offload processing from the site server. The site server must be able to communicate with the site systems. Communication is established over the network using a site system service account. For example, the NetWare NDS Site System account communicates with NetWare servers on behalf of the site server.
When a site system is added, SMS runs a number of SMS Executive threads to modify the configuration of the SMS site. After a change is proposed in the SMS Administrator console, the SMS Provider recognizes that a change was made, the database reacts to the change request, SQL Monitor detects the change request, Hierarchy Manager determines the change to be made, and Site Control Manager makes the changes and informs the Hierarchy Manager that the change is complete.
Site systems can serve in the following roles: site server, site database server, SMS Provider, logon point, CAP, distribution point, software metering server, software metering database server, and component server. Four site system types are available: NetWare bindery volume, NetWare NDS volume, Windows NT/2000 Server, and Windows NT/2000 share. Only Windows NT/2000 Server site systems can serve in all of site system roles. NetWare servers can serve in the role of CAP, distribution point, and logon point, but cannot serve in the role of software metering server. Once a computer is added as a site system through the SMS Administrator console, it can be monitored using Network Trace. Network Trace provides a graphical map of site systems and indicates where they are connected in the network.