SMS 2003 components include the SMS central site server, SMS site database, and SMS Administrator console. Typically, the SMS central site server, SMS site database, and SMS Administrator console reside on the same server and each site system role resides on a dedicated server. A central site server and database, together with any site system roles, make up a single SMS site. A single SMS site might include multiple duplicate site system roles. For example, a single site might include multiple client access points (CAPs). SMS 2003 sites can be tiered. A single SMS site might not include some site server roles, such as a server locator point.

The SMS 2003 Management Pack is designed to monitor SMS server components. This Management Pack is not designed to monitor SMS functionality on SMS client computers. However, Operations Manager 2007 might be used to monitor other applications that reside on an SMS client computer.

For more information about SMS 2003 components, see the SMS 2003 Online Library. For links to SMS 2003 documentation, see the Additional Resources for Microsoft System Management Server 2003 Management Pack section in this guide.

Key server roles and components include:

Client Access Point

The CAP role is the point of contact between Legacy Clients and the SMS site server. The CAP passes all Legacy Client data to the site server. Legacy Client computers contact the CAP for management information from the SMS site server. A CAP serves only one SMS site and is installed by default on the site server. The CAP also:

  • Provides specific configuration instructions and files for the Legacy Client during client installation and when changes are made after client installation.

  • Serves as the location where Legacy Client computers check for advertisements.

  • Receives data from Legacy Clients, which it forwards to the SMS site server. For example, when a client completes either hardware or software inventory and has created an inventory data file, it sends this data to the CAP. Any status messages originating from the client are replicated to the CAP.

Distribution Point

The distribution point stores SMS package source files that SMS clients use when installing software programs distributed by SMS. When the SMS administrator advertises a program, the advertisement and program information are available to clients through a CAP for Legacy Clients or through a management point for Advanced Clients.

When SMS is set up, the site server is automatically assigned the distribution point role. The SMS administrator can enable the distribution point to use Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS), which enables incremental package file download to Advanced Clients.

Advanced Clients use BITS to automatically detect the client network connection capacity and adjust transfer rates efficiently. This is supported only on clients running Microsoft Windows 2000, Microsoft Windows XP Professional, and Microsoft Windows Server™ 2003 operating systems.

Management Point

The management point is the primary point of contact between Advanced Clients and the SMS site server. An SMS site has only one default management point, although multiple management points can be configured with Windows Network Load Balancing Service. Similar to the relationship between CAPs and Legacy Clients, a management point:

  • Provides specific client configuration details (also known as the Advanced Client policy) for the Advanced Client after client installation.

  • Serves as the location where Advanced Client computers check for advertisements.

  • Locates distribution points for Advanced Clients.

  • Receives inventory, software metering, and status information from Advanced Clients and forwards it to the SMS site server.

Server Locator Point

The server locator point locates CAPs for Legacy Clients and management points for Advanced Clients. The server locator point is mostly used in client installation. The server locator point:

  • Locates a management point for the Advanced Client if the Advanced Client is configured for automatic SMS site assignment.

  • Provides Advanced Clients with the location of the management point during Logon Script-initiated Client Installation and during an installation without sufficient credentials.

  • Provides SMS site assignment for the Legacy Client and locates CAPs during Logon Script-initiated Client Installation.

Reporting Point

A reporting point is a server running Internet Information Services (IIS) that hosts the code for Report Viewer and any supplemental reports. A reporting point communicates only with its SMS site database server.

Advanced Client

SMS 2003 addresses the need for mobile computing with the Advanced Client. The Advanced Client supports the full SMS feature set, including software distribution, asset management, and remote troubleshooting. You can manage mobile users and desktop users without differentiating between them. The Advanced Client uses a Windows technology called BITS to provide connectivity for all management operations.

Legacy Client

You can use the Legacy Client if your organization needs to manage computers that do not meet the requirements for supporting the Advanced Client. You can enable, configure, and control the following Legacy Client installation methods:

  • Logon Script-initiated Client Installation

  • Client Push Installation

  • Manual Client Installation

SMS Provider

The SMS Provider processes requests for data from the SMS site database. The SMS Provider role is installed on the same computer as the SMS site server or the SMS site database. It is recommended that you install both the SMS Provider and the SMS site database on the site server. The SMS Provider provides access to data for the SMS Administrator console installed on the site.

SMS Administrator Console

The SMS Administrator console is the graphical user interface used to administer SMS. This interface uses a Microsoft Management Console (MMC) snap-in that is provided with the SMS product software. The SMS Administrator console is installed by default when you install a primary site server. It can also be installed on other servers or workstations.

See Also