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 everyone in the company at once, or else select individuals—and all from the administrator’s computer. He or she needn’t go around to everyone’s computer and make the changes, as in days of old. The increasing complexity of Microsoft networks makes knowledge of SMS mandatory. There are constant security patches that need to be installed (users tend to be lazy about this) and, with SMS, every user in the company can be fixed at once. Employees who need special versions of applications can be singled out and upgraded.

Our SMS Field Guide is based on the consulting experiences of the author. He addresses problems and solutions that have actually occurred. He knows where network administrators make mistakes, where they’re confused, and where they need help.