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Microsoft Systems Management Server 2003 Desired Configuration Monitoring

Published: November 15, 2005

Microsoft Systems Management Server (SMS) 2003 Desired Configuration Monitoring (DCM) is a powerful solution to maintain a consistent configuration across all server roles and hardware types and ensure that all servers have required software updates, service packs and drivers installed. This solution requires Windows Server 2003 or Windows XP for component installation and will monitor most Microsoft Windows Server System applications and hardware configurations. The solution runs on any server application where configurations can be accessed through Microsoft Active Directory, Window Management Instrumentation, metabase, file system, and registries.

Many unplanned outages are avoidable, and they are often related to configuration errors with both software and hardware. You can use DCM with SMS 2003 to check for undesired configuration changes across multiple configuration sources.

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SMS 2003 Desired Configuration Monitoring

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Enterprise SMS 2003 Desired Configuration Monitoring

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DCM helps you to reduce unplanned service downtime, correlate configuration data, reduce support costs, and increase end-user satisfaction. It provides you with an easy-to-use XML editing tool and guidance for defining Desired Configuration Models. DCM provides detailed compliance reports to assist with detection and remediation of configuration errors. Figure 1 gives an overview of how DCM works.

How SMS 2003 Desired Configuration Monitoring works

Figure 1: How SMS 2003 Desired Configuration Monitoring works

You begin by defining a Desired Configuration Model for each server role and hardware type. A sample model is included in the solution and further sample models will be released on the Microsoft Download Center. When you're defining the models, you specify the desired values in Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI), the system registry, the Internet Information Services metabase, Active Directory directory service, and the Windows File System (WFS).

After you have defined all of the Desired Configuration Models, you deploy each model to targeted servers, where it runs as an SMS 2003 package. Once data is returned to the SMS 2003 database server, you may generate compliance reports on demand. Using Microsoft Operations Manager 2005, you can specify that IT staff be alerted automatically of configurations that are defined as out-of-compliance so that they can take appropriate action to avoid disruptions in service.

Table 1 provides a list of the minimum technology requirements that you will need in place to use SMS 2003 Desired Configuration Monitoring.

Table 1 Technology requirements (minimum) for DCM

Systems Management Server 2003 with Service Pack 1

.NET Framework version 1.1

SQL Server 2000 with Service Pack 3

SQL Server 2000 Reporting Services with Service Pack 1

Internet Explorer 5 with Service Pack 2

Optional: Microsoft Operations Manager 2005

Solution Implementation

Microsoft Services provides Desired Configuration Monitoring for Messaging consulting services utilizing the capabilities of SMS 2003 Desired Configuration Monitoring and creating Desired Configuration Models for each Exchange server role. These services will enhance your change, configuration, and release management processes for Exchange. Please visit the Microsoft Services Messaging Services website to learn more.

DCM Configuration Manifest Beta Program

Visit http://connect.microsoft.com to register for the DCM Configuration Manifest Beta program. This program has been established to test and validate sample configuration files for Microsoft Internet Security and Acceleration Server 2004, Microsoft Windows Server 2003, and Microsoft Exchange Server 2003. These manifests can help get you started with the DCM solution and save time in creating the initial configuration manifests required to use the DCM solution in your environment. Each manifest can be edited by the DCM authoring tool to meet your specific needs. Visit Microsoft Connect and register today!

Additional Resources

SMS 2003 Desired Configuration Monitoring Developer’s Blog
The DCM Solution Blog provides further guidance for the DCM Solution and answers many frequently asked questions.

Exchange Service Management
Microsoft Exchange Service Management delivers end-to-end guidance for efficient management of an Exchange messaging service. It helps IT professionals realize a quick return on investment while also setting new standards for reliability, performance, security, and ease of use.

Microsoft TechNet IT Solutions
The TechNet IT Solutions content provides prescriptive guidance on how to effectively and efficiently design, develop, deploy, operate, and support solutions built on Microsoft server technologies.

Microsoft Download Center
The Microsoft Download Center provides downloadable service packs, security updates, trials, and more for Microsoft server products.

Microsoft Operations Framework
The Microsoft Operations Framework (MOF) provides operational guidance that enables organizations to achieve mission-critical system reliability, availability, supportability, and manageability of Microsoft products and technologies.

Microsoft Solutions Framework
Microsoft Solutions Framework (MSF) is a highly customizable, scalable, fully integrated set of software development processes, principles, and proven practices designed to deliver the type of guidance desired by the user when and where it is needed.


 

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