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Software distribution question - 7/30/2008 12:27:23 PM

nastle

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Environment -
My enterprise contains 3 network subnets. Subnet A, Subnet B and Subnet C.
I have a primary site server and a secondary site server.
Both the servers, primary and secondary site, are distribution points as well. let me call the distribution points as DP_Primary and DP_Secondary.
The site boundary of primary site server is subnet A, the site boundary of secondary site server is subnet B.
Subnet C is still unmanaged.

Scenario -
I install sms client on a laptop which is in the subnet B. I use Auto as the site code. Therefore the client gets assigned to the primary site's site code.
I then create a package P and distribute that package to both the DPs. DP_Primary and DP_Secondary.
I then create an advertisement to download and execute that package P on the newly installed client.
Before i create the advertisement though, the laptop moves from subnet B to unmanaged subnet C.

Question -
When the laptop is in subnet C and it makes a location request for this package, which distributions point(s) would be returned to it as the available distribution points?
None or both or one of them..if one of them.then which one?

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RE: Software distribution question - 7/30/2008 12:58:44 PM

pwstrain

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If the advert is created after the client goes to the unmanaged subnet, the client won't get it. It will not be able to find an MP. This is assumes that the subnet is not in any site boundary.

< Message edited by pwstrain -- 7/30/2008 12:59:33 PM >

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RE: Software distribution question - 7/30/2008 1:11:49 PM

nastle

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so does that mean, if an SMS client goes to an IP subnet that is not in the site boundary of any site, it will become unmanaged?

In other words, roaming would work only if the ip subnet that a client has roamed to is managed by atleast one site..whichever site that may be..

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RE: Software distribution question - 7/30/2008 1:24:44 PM

pwstrain

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Correct.

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RE: Software distribution question - 7/30/2008 1:47:27 PM

nastle

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ok sounds good...now does this apply only to software distribution...or does it apply to all components of SMS client..inventory.policies heartbeat etc..

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RE: Software distribution question - 7/30/2008 4:24:39 PM

pwstrain

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If the client is unable to find an MP, essentially nothing happens.
I believe that if a client got an advert for a program that was Download and Execute that was set to run at a later date while on a managed subnet and was then on an unmanaged subnet at the date/time the app was to launch, the app would still deploy. But that's about it.

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RE: Software distribution question - 7/31/2008 8:09:42 AM

nastle

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Wouldnt the client be able to figure out its management point from AD? Ofcourse AD would not be able to provide it its management point ( resident) because it is in subnet C. But AD should still be able to provide it its default management point by virtue of its assigned site code..isnt it?

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RE: Software distribution question - 7/31/2008 12:41:18 PM

pwstrain

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I am honestly not sure. I'd have to lab that up and see what happens. I think that it would return no MP, but could be wrong.

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RE: Software distribution question - 7/31/2008 1:20:55 PM

nastle

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In my observations so far in the production environment, the client is able to find its default management point(primary site) ( locationservices.log), the client is getting new policies, the client is sending status messages, Hw Inventory, sw inventory etc...this cannot happen without a management point.
The only thing that baffles me at this point is...when this client makes a locationrequest for available distribution points, it is not being returned with any..my understanding was..it should return all the DPs associated with that primary site ( default management point )..albeit marked as "Remote"

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RE: Software distribution question - 7/31/2008 3:49:23 PM

swyck

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Not sure about this. To me the unmanaged subnet C means that it is not within the boundaries of an SMS site, not that it is not a part of Active Directory. According to the Concepts, Planning and Deployment guide page 34:

If a client roams to a location that has no roaming boundaries defined, then that client reverts to its
assigned site’s management point and distribution point. In this scenario, the client treats the distribution point as a remote distribution point.

I think that means the client should be able to find the primary site's MP from AD, and then it would use DP_Primary as a remote DP. Whether it runs the advert or not should then depend on the advert advanced client tab settings for remote DPs.

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Post #: 10