The SMS Provider is a component of Configuration Manager 2007 primary sites and is used by Configuration Manager consoles to access site database information from the SQL Server hosting the site database.

The SMS Provider is a dynamic-link library file (smsprov.dll) and is installed or moved by running Configuration Manager 2007 Setup. You can install the SMS Provider on the primary site server computer, computer hosting the site database server, or another computer not hosting the primary site or site database. A server class operating system is required to install the SMS Provider on a computer other than the site server or site database server computers.

Important
The SMS Provider must be installed on a computer with the same operating system language as the site server's operating system language when a site contains site servers or clients with different language operating systems installed.

Pros and Cons of SMS Provider Installation Locations

You should evaluate the pros and cons of each SMS Provider installation location choosing the location that will be used to install it.

Location Pro Con

Configuration Manager site server

  • The SMS Provider does not use resources on the site database server which allows better site database performance.

  • The SMS Provider uses system and network resources that could be dedicated to site server operations to provide site database information to remote Configuration Manager console displays.

SQL Server hosting the site database

  • The SMS Provider is always in contact with the SQL Server hosting the site database which allows direct communication with Configuration Manager console installations from the site database server.

  • Faster Configuration Manager console performance than installing the SMS Provider on the site server.

  • The SMS Provider uses system and network resources that could be dedicated to site database operations to provide site database information to remote Configuration Manager console displays.

  • The SMS Provider cannot be installed on a clustered SQL Server virtual instance.

Computer other than the site server or site database server

  • Highest performance increase for site operations because the SMS Provider does not use site system resources on the primary site server or site database server.

  • The SMS Provider must be installed on a server operating system there is a higher chance it will use system resources that would otherwise be dedicated to other services.

  • Must be constantly accessible to both the site database server and all computers with the Configuration Manager console installed.

See Also