Q180151: How to Select the PCM Distribution Server Selection Logic

Article: Q180151
Product(s): Microsoft Systems Management Server
Version(s): winnt:1.1,1.2
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): kbPCM smspcm
Last Modified: 30-JUL-2001

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The information in this article applies to:

- Microsoft Systems Management Server versions 1.1, 1.2 
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SYMPTOMS
========

Package Command Manager (PCM) is designed to be robust in its capability to
select a distribution server to find a given package. The selection logic
algorithm for PCM to find a package is:

1. Check the client's current Systems Management Server logon server.

2. If necessary, check each of the client's drive mappings.

3. If necessary, select a server at random from the client's PCM instruction
  file (<SMS_ID>.ins), located in the SMS\Logon.srv\Pcmins.box directory
  on the client's Systems Management Server logon server.

Without the hotfix mentioned below, there is no way to control the selection
logic.

WORKAROUND
==========

To work around this problem, obtain the hotfix mentioned in the STATUS section
of this article, or wait for the next Systems Management Server service pack.
The hotfix should have the following timestamps:

  Date      Time     Size      File name    Platform
  --------------------------------------------------
  01/15/99  02:52am  268,784   Pcmsvc32.exe (x86)
  01/15/99  02:53am  468,912   Pcmwin32.exe (x86)
  01/15/99  02:54am  453,904   Pcmwin16.exe (x86)
  01/15/99  02:53am  797,968   Pcmsvc32.exe (Alpha)
  01/15/99  02:54am  1,172,752 Pcmwin32.exe (Alpha)


STATUS
======

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Systems Management Server
versions 1.1 and 1.2.


A supported fix is now available, but has not been fully regression- tested and
should be applied only to systems experiencing this specific problem. Unless you
are severely impacted by this specific problem, Microsoft recommends that you
wait for the next Service Pack that contains this fix. Contact Microsoft
Technical Support for more information.


MORE INFORMATION
================

With the hotfix, it is now possible to set the selection logic level for PCM by
adding a value to the [Local] section of the Sms.ini file on the client. To do
this, use the following:

- To disable any selection attempts beyond trying the client's current Systems
  Management Server logon server, add the following line to the [Local] section
  of the client's Sms.ini file:

  DisableRandomPCMServers=LOCALONLY

- To disable any selection attempts beyond trying the client's current Systems
  Management Server logon server and any servers to which the client has a
  drive mapped, add the following line to the [Local] section of the client's
  Sms.ini file::

  DisableRandomPCMServers=DRIVEMAPPINGS

- To leave the behavior at the default algorithm, you can either not modify the
  client's Sms.ini file, or you can add the following line to the [Local]
  section:

  DisableRandomPCMServers=RANDOM

- To have PCM only select a random distribution server, add the following line
  to the [Local] section of the client's Sms.ini file:

  DisableRandomPCMServers=RANDOMONLY

Unless it is specifically necessary to disable a particular level of selection
logic, Microsoft Premier Support recommends that you do not add this setting to
the client's Sms.ini file.

Additional query words: prodsms mapping drivemapping drivemappings

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Keywords          : kbPCM smspcm 
Technology        : kbSMSSearch kbSMS110 kbSMS120
Version           : winnt:1.1,1.2
Issue type        : kbprb

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