Specify how the task sequence references other packages when the task sequence runs. Other packages include the operating system image, the boot image, one or more software distribution packages, or one or more software update packages. The following settings can be configured:

Run program from a distribution point

When a distribution point is available locally for the destination computer, the task sequence begins running, and the packages are referenced on the distribution point as needed as the task sequence runs. The distribution point is referenced as a Windows file share using the network access account.
Download program from distribution point

When a distribution point is available locally for the destination computer, all images and packages referenced by the task sequence are downloaded to the Configuration Manager 2007 client cache before the task sequence is run. When all images and packages are in the client cache, the task sequence begins, and references the images and packages from the client cache on the local hard drive. If the distribution point supports Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS), then BITS is used to do the download. BITS resumes the download the next time the computer connects to the network, so disconnection from the network will not cause a problem. If the distribution point does not support BITS and the computer disconnects from the network, the download fails.If the Make this task sequence available to Boot Media and PXE option is enabled on the General page of this wizard, then this option is not available.
Important
If this option is selected, and the task sequence contains a step to re-partition the hard drive, the re-partition step will fail because re-partitioning the hard drive erases the contents of the Configuration Manager 2007 client cache. A task sequence that re-partitions the hard drive must use the Run program from distribution point option when it is advertised.
Do not run program

When a distribution point is not available locally, select this option to prevent the task sequence from running. Destination computers must be within the boundaries of an Configuration Manager 2007 site and that site must have at least one distribution point with the images and packages referenced by the advertised task sequence. This option is selected by default.
Download program from a remote distribution point

When a distribution point is not available locally, select this option to allow the advertised task sequence to download and then run from a remote distribution point. This option can be helpful if the task sequence is small, or if the destination computers have fast network connections to the distribution point.If the Make this task sequence available to Boot Media and PXE option is enabled on the General page of this wizard, then this option is not available.
Important
If this option is selected, and the task sequence contains a step to re-partition the hard drive, the re-partition step will fail because re-partitioning the hard drive erases the contents of the Configuration Manager 2007 client cache. A task sequence that re-partitions the hard drive must use the Run program from a remote distribution point option when it is advertised.
Run program from a remote distribution point

When a distribution point is not available locally, select this option to allow the advertised task sequence to run from the remote distribution point.
When no protected distribution point is available, use an unprotected distribution point

Specifies whether Configuration Manager 2007 will permit a client to use an unprotected distribution point if the images and packages references by the advertised task sequence are immediately available on its protected distribution point, or if it forces a client to use the protected local distribution point if it is within the boundaries for that point. This option is cleared by default.If this checkbox is selected, a client will use distribution points based on the following criteria:
  • If a protected distribution point with the content provisioned exists, the client will not use unprotected distribution points.

  • If a protected distribution with the content provisioned does not exist, the client will use unprotected distribution points.

If the check box is cleared, then regardless of whether or not a protected distribution point with the content provisioned exists, the client will not use unprotected distribution points.