Pro SMS 2003

By Rod Kruetzfeld

Microsoft's Systems Management Server (SMS) allows network administrators to provide software updates to users quickly and cost-effectively from a single machine. The administrator can update every network user at once, or choose a group of select individuals - even a single user. All this can be accomplished from the administrator's computer: no need to visit everyone's computer to make changes, as in days of old. The increasing complexity of Microsoft networks makes it mandatory for administrators to have expert knowledge of SMS. A constant stream of security patches needs installation and version upgrades, plug-ins and patches to mission-critical software tools create a demand for administrative attention that would otherwise be impossible to meet. The SMS 2003 Field Guide addresses real-world problems and solutions, based on the broad consulting experiences of the author. He knows where network administrators are liable to make mistakes, and offers expert help at their level.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1590596986
• ISBN13: 9781590596982
• Release Date: November 2006
• Publisher: Apress
• Length: 248 Pages
• Weight: 1.05 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 7.1" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

Great Resource!

This is a great book, and the author has kept it current. (It includes references to SMS SP2). Probably not for SMS beginners trying to learn the software, but it's loaded with great information. I keep it with me at work as a quick reference. Definitely worth buying!

Great Addition

Although there have been several SMS 2003 related books released lately (and long overdue in my opinion), each one has something additional to offer to the SMS Admin. SMS 2003 is a complex thing to understand and administrate, and I found "Pro SMS 2003" to be another useful addition to the books available. The emphasis placed in the first few chapters on understanding your network topology *before* starting to deploy important. Hopefully if a company is considering SMS they take to heart the planning stages as the critical step they are for a successful SMS deployment. The book also takes one through step-by-step setting up the agents, inventorying options, and some of the addons (like patch management and Feature Packs). To quote Rod himself "This is the book I wish someone had written for me when I first started working with the product."