GuidesDocumenting Server Configurations

Documenting Server Configurations

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by Dana Daugherty

Documenting your server configuration can save you time and
can actually protect you. Use this sample document to get
started. 

You can save valuable time
during future SMS server installations if you take the time now to
document the settings you have configured on your existing
servers. Dana Daugherty’s latest article offers tips for
effectively documenting your server configurations.

Most of us find documentation tedious and boring. But
remember, documentation is your friend (chant that 3 times
before reading.) 

You can save valuable time during future SMS server
installations if you take the time now to document the
settings you have configured on your existing
servers. 

Having your server settings documented and approved by
management can serve to protect you. Get your configuration
approved, then if a manager wonders why you have remote
control policy configured to Full and have no visual or audio
notification, you’ll be able to point back to this
document. 

The following configuration document is a good start. You
will notice that Windows Networking Logon Installation and
Windows Networking Logon Discovery is only installed on one
Server. This is because the implementation exists in a single
domain model. Early service packs had a known issue in this
environment. Each SMS server would update all domain
controllers. As you can imagine, the network overhead was
unnecessarily high. 

 

Sample SMS Configuration Document:

This is the basic configuration that is
applied to Primary and Secondary installations. Windows
Networking Logon Client Installation and Windows Networking
Logon Discovery Should only be enabled on PRISMS. This will
only be turned at PRISMS. Note: Unless otherwise specified the
default was accepted.

 

  • Addresses

    • One for each child server.
      These are created when you install a child site.

  • Client Agents

    • Hardware Inventory

      • Simple Schedule once per
        week

    • Software Inventory

      • Full Schedule – Weekly on
        Fridays

    • Remote Tools

      • General – Enable remote tools on
        clients, Clients cannot change Policy or Notification
        settings

      • Security – Administrators only

      • Policy – Full, Do not ask
        permission

      • Notification – Displays visual indicator,
        Show high-security indicator, Play sound, Repeatedly
        during session

    • Advertised Programs

      • General  – Enable
        software distribution to clients, check form new
        programs every 60 minutes, Clients cannot change agent
        settings

      • Notification – Display a notification
        message, Provide a countdown, countdown length: 5
        minutes, Show status icon on taskbar or desktop for all
        system activity.

    • Software Metering

      • This component is not
        enabled

    • Event to Trap Translator

      • This component is not
        enabled

  • Client Installation Methods

    • Windows Networking Logon –
      Only enabled for CHOSMS, not enabled for all
      other servers.

      • General – Enable Windows Networking
        Logon Client Installation, Keep logon point list for
        discovery and installation synchronized, Add the Domain
        name

      • Logon Settings – Update
        every: 1 day

    • Windows NT Remote

      • Not enabled

  • Component Configuration

    • Software Distribution

    • Status Reporting

    • Software Metering

    • Data Processing and
      Storage

  • Connection Accounts

    • Client

    • Site system

  • Database Maintenance

    • SQL Commands

    • Tasks

      • Delete Aged Discovery Data
        every 14 days

      • Delete Aged Inventory History
        every 14 days

  • Discovery Methods

    • Windows Networking Logon –
      Only enabled for CHOSMS, not enabled for all
      other servers.

      • General – Enable Windows Networking
        Logon Client Installation, Keep logon point list for
        discovery and installation synchronized, Add the Domain
        name

      • Logon Settings – Update
        every: 1 day

    • Windows NT User Account

    • Windows NT User Group

      • General – Enable, add domain

      • Polling
        Schedule

        send every 3 days

    • Heartbeat Discovery

      • Enable, Send every day

    • Network Discovery

      • Not enabled

  • Senders

    • Standard Sender

  • Site Systems

    • I created a share on the F:
      drive. Then I made this a Distribution Point and CAP. I
      then turned off the one that got installed by default on
      the same drive as the databases.

  • Status Filter Rules

  • Status Summarizers

    • Component

    • Site System

    • Advertisement

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