The Packages console tree node in Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager 2007 displays packages, and the programs, distribution points, and access accounts associated with them. The Packages console tree node and subnodes are located in the console tree as follows:

System Center Configuration Manager / Site Database / Computer Management / Software Distribution / Packages / <Package name>.

Within the Packages node, the New Package Wizard is used to create new software distribution packages. For more information, see How to Create a Package and How to Create a Package from a Package Definition File.

Existing or new packages can then be distributed to client computers using the Distribute Software Wizard. For more information, see Distribute Software Wizard.

UI Element List

Upon clicking the Packages console tree node or subnodes, the Configuration Manager console contains the following elements:

Look for:/Search in:

Filters the contents that are displayed in the results pane based on a keyword in a specific column.
Look for

Looks for text that was entered to filter on. This could be a partial or full text string. Only items that contain the text will be displayed in the results pane. For example, the text English could be entered in the Look for: text box to display only software updates that contain that text in any column.
Search in

Searches a specific column for the text that was entered in the Look for: text box. The default value for this item is All Columns.
Find Now

Initiates the filter.
Clear

Clears the filter and displays all possible results.

The following sections describe the Packages console tree node and subnodes.

Packages

The Packages console tree node in Configuration Manager 2007, when highlighted, displays the following information about each package:

  • Name: Specifies the name of the package.

  • Manufacturer: Specifies the publisher of the package, as given in the package properties. When a package was created using a package definition, this information is based on the definition information.

  • Version: Specifies the version of the package, as given in the package properties.

  • Language: Displays the language specified for the package, as given in the package properties.

  • Package ID: Specifies the ID assigned by Configuration Manager 2007 to the given package.

<Package Name>

The <package name> console tree nodes display by name the individual packages that are defined in the packages list. Information specific to each package can be modified at this location. This data is sorted for each package by access accounts, distribution points, and programs. The following information is displayed for each package in the Packages node:

  • Access Accounts: Specifies the package access accounts that have been set for the given package. Additional data for each account can be seen by right-clicking the account and then clicking Properties. For more information, see Access Account Properties: General Tab.

    • Name: Specifies the name of the access account. If a Windows User Access Account is displayed, it will be in the following form: domain\username.

    • Type: Specifies the type of account, whether a Generic Access Account or Windows User Access Account.

    • Access: Specifies the access permissions of the displayed access account for this package.

  • Distribution Points: Specifies the distribution points to which this package has been copied, so as to be available for download by client computers. Additional data for each distribution point can be seen by right-clicking the distribution point and then clicking Properties. For more information, see Distribution Point Properties: General Tab.

    • Name: Specifies the name of the distribution point.

    • Site: Specifies the site code and name of the site on which the distribution point is located.

    • Type: Specifies the site system type for the distribution point.

  • Programs: Specifies the individual programs that are contained in this package for running on client computers. Additional data for each program can be seen by right-clicking the program and then clicking Properties. For more information, see Program Name Properties.

    • Name: Specifies the name of the program.

    • Run Time: Specifies the maximum allowed run time of the program as given in the program properties. This is specified in hours and minutes in the format hh:mm.

    • Disk Space Requirement: Specifies the disk space required as given in the program properties.

    • Comment: Displays any comment associated with the program as specified in the program properties.

Actions for the Packages Nodes

Different actions are available depending on where you are in the console tree. The following table lists the general and specific actions for the Packages console tree node and subnodes.

General Actions

The following actions are available on several Packages console tree nodes.

Action Description

Give Feedback

Opens a Configuration Manager 2007 Web site where feedback can be given.

View (all nodes except <Package Name> nodes)

Provides the following view options:

  • Add/Remove columns: Specifies which columns display in the results pane. Select the column name from the Available columns window, and click Add to add the column to the displayed columns. Select the column name from the Displayed columns window, and click Remove to remove the columns from the displayed columns. Click Restore Defaults to display the default columns. Click OK to save changes.

  • Export list: Exports the data in the results pane to a Text or Unicode Text file that is tab or comma delimited.

  • Hide search bar: Specifies to hide the search bar located above the results pane.

  • Customize: Specifies which items are displayed in the Configuration Manager 2007 console window.

New Windows from Here

Opens a new console window using the current node as the root node.

Refresh

Refreshes the display with the most current information.

Help

Opens the associated help topic.

Packages

The following actions are available from the Packages console tree node.

Action Description

New

Provides the following options:

  • Package: Opens the New Package Wizard, where you can manually create a new package. For more information, see New Package Wizard.

  • Package from definition: Opens the Create Package from Definition Wizard, where you can create a new package based on an existing package definition file. For more information, see Create Package From Definition Wizard.

  • Folder: Creates a new folder beneath the Packages node.

  • Search Folder: Opens the Search Folder Criterion dialog box, where you can design a query to search package folders on the site. For more information, see Search Folder Criteria Dialog Box.

Distribute

Provides the following distribution options:

  • Software: Opens the Distribute Software Wizard, where you can distribute software packages to client computers. For more information, see Distribute Software Wizard.

  • Software to Device: Opens the Distribute Software to Device Wizard, where you can distribute software to client devices.

Transfer Site Settings

Opens the Transfer Site Settings Wizard, where you can transfer site settings or package and collection properties from a source site to one or more distribution points. For more information, see Transfer Site Settings Wizard.

Copy Packages

Opens the Copy Package Wizard, where you can copy one or more packages from one distribution point to another. For more information, see Copy Packages Wizard.

View

Provides the following view options:

  • Add/Remove columns: Specifies which columns display in the results pane. Select the column name from the Available columns window, and click Add to add the column to the displayed columns. Select the column name from the Displayed columns window, and click Remove to remove the columns from the displayed columns. Click Restore Defaults to display the default columns. Click OK to save changes.

  • Large icons: Displays the results pane in Windows large icon configuration.

  • Small icons: Displays the results pane in Windows small icon configuration.

  • List: Displays the results pane in Windows list configuration.

  • Details: Displays the results pane in Windows detail configuration. The Add/Remove columns option is available only in this view configuration.

  • Customize: Specifies which items are displayed in the Configuration Manager 2007 console window.

Properties

Opens the Packages Properties dialog box, where general package information and class security rights can be set on the object. For more information, see Packages Properties.

<Package Name>

The following actions are available from the <package name> console tree node.

Action Description

Manage Distribution Points

Opens the Manage Distribution Point Wizard, where you can manage the package on distribution points. For more information, see Manage Distribution Points Wizard.

Update Distribution Points

Updates all sites and distribution points with the latest version of the package.

Distribute

Provides the following distribution options:

  • Software: Opens the Distribute Software Wizard, where you can distribute software packages to client computers. For more information, see Distribute Software Wizard.

  • Software to Device: Opens the Distribute Software to Device Wizard, where you can distribute software to client devices.

Move Items

Opens the Move Items dialog box, allowing you to select the folder within the Packages node where you can move the selected package. Once moved, refresh the console tree to view the relocated package.

Cut

Cuts the selected package in preparation to move it to a folder in the Package node. The cut package is not removed or relocated until it is pasted in a new location and the new location must be a folder within the node, not another package.

Paste

Pastes a previously cut package in a new location within the Package node.

Delete

Opens the Delete Package Wizard, where you can view the results of deleting this package and then choose whether to remove it. For more information, see Delete Package Wizard.

Export List

Exports the data in the results pane to a Text or Unicode Text file that is tab or comma delimited.

Properties

Opens the Package Name Properties dialog box, where package properties and other information specific to this package only can be set for the object. For more information, see Package Name Properties.

Access Accounts

The following actions are available from the Access Accounts console tree node.

Action Description

New

Provides the following options:

  • Generic Access Account: Creates a package access account mapped to a generic Windows access account. For more information, see Windows Account Dialog Box.

  • Windows User Access Account: Creates a package access account mapped to a specific Windows user access account. For more information, see Windows Account Dialog Box.

Delete

Removes the package access account and associated security rights. The Windows account to which the package access account is mapped is not affected.

Properties

Opens the Access Account Properties dialog box, where security rights can be set for individual access accounts on the object.

For more information, see Access Account Properties: General Tab.

Distribution Points

The following actions are available from the Distribution Points console tree node.

Action Description

New Distribution Points

Opens the New Distribution Point Wizard, where you can copy the package to a new distribution point for client download. For more information, see New Distribution Points Wizard.

Update Distribution Points

Updates all sites and distribution points with the latest version of the package.

Manage Distribution Points

Opens the Manage Distribution Point Wizard, where you can manage the package on distribution points. For more information, see Manage Distribution Points Wizard.

Refresh Distribution Point

Resends the package to the selected distribution point.

Delete

Removes the package from the selected distribution point and deletes the point from the list of distribution points associated with the package. For more information, see How to Remove a Package from a Distribution Point.

Properties

Opens the Distribution Points Properties dialog box, where general distribution point information is displayed. For more information about this dialog box, see Distribution Point Properties: General Tab.

Programs

The following actions are available from the Programs console tree node.

Action Description

New

Provides the following options:

  • Program: Opens the New Program Wizard, where you can create a new program for the selected package. For more information, see New Program Wizard.

  • Program for Device: Opens the New Program for Device Wizard, where you can create a new program for the selected package that will be run on a device. For more information, see New Program for Device Wizard.

Distribute

Provides the following distribution options:

  • Software: Opens the Distribute Software Wizard, where you can distribute software packages to client computers. For more information, see Distribute Software Wizard.

  • Software to Device: Opens the Distribute Software to Device Wizard, where you can distribute software to client devices.

Delete

Opens the Delete Program Wizard, where you can view the results of deleting this program from the package and choose whether to remove it. For more information about this wizard, see Delete Program Wizard.

Properties

Opens the Program Name Properties dialog box, where program properties and other information specific to this program only can be set for the object.

For more information about this dialog box, see Package Name Properties.

See Also