Using Systems Management Server to Supplement IntelliMirror

Many organizations with complex environments will complement IntelliMirror and Remote OS Installation by using the advanced change and configuration management tools provided with Systems Management Server#160;2.0. These tools include:

Planning Tools    Systems Management Server uses Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) and software scanners to retrieve and upload detailed hardware and software inventory information—such as metering application usage—into a Microsoft® SQL Server™–based repository. This collection of planning tools can help you understand the configuration of your environment, complete audits and compliance checks, monitor and restrict application use, and plan for operations such as new software deployments and upgrades.

Deployment Tools    Using Systems Management Server, you can schedule and synchronize the deployment of software to Windows-based computers, including Windows 3. x, Windows NT® 3.51/4.0, and Windows 2000. This distribution is fully integrated with inventory to allow precise targeting while also allowing detailed status reporting on the progress and success of each scheduled deployment. With Systems Management Server, you can distribute and install software in the background to one, 10, or thousands of computers, even when no users are logged on. Systems Management Server can also deploy software that uses the new Windows Installer technology and packages.

Diagnostic Tools    Systems Management Server provides a range of advanced remote diagnostic tools to help you manage desktops and servers without making on-site visits. These include utilities such as remote control and remote reboot, a network monitor with real-time and post-capture experts to analyze network conditions and performance, and a server HealthMon utility, which displays critical performance information on Windows 2000 Server and Microsoft® BackOffice®.

Whether you use IntelliMirror and Systems Management Server separately or together depends on the complexity of your environment. Table 24.2 illustrates the Microsoft management solutions that might be most cost effective for organizations of varying complexity.

Table 24.2 Recommended Change and Configuration Management Solutions

Table 24.3 illustrates how IntelliMirror, Remote OS Installation, and Systems Management Server can be combined into an effective change and configuration management solution.

Table 24.3 Options for Effective Change and Configuration Management

Use the information in these tables, along with your understanding of your organization's client management issues, to select the features most appropriate for your organization.

For more information about using Systems Management Server in conjunction with Windows 2000, see "Using Systems Management Server to Analyze Your Network Infrastructure" and "Using Systems Management Server to Deploy Windows 2000" in this book. For comprehensive technical information about Systems Management Server, see the Microsoft ® Systems Management Server Resource Kit.